John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 10:4

"And the glory of Jehovah mounted up from the cherub, [and stood] over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Jehovah`s glory." — Ezekiel 10:4 (ASV)

In this verse, the Prophet confirms what he recently discussed, namely, that the temple was filled with blackness because God had transferred His glory away. He says then, that the brightness of God’s glory appeared above the threshold. But the glory of God resided in the sanctuary and in the very ark of the covenant. However, now, when it advances to the threshold, it is as if God were extinguishing the splendor of His glory by which the temple was adorned, and transferring it elsewhere.

But he says, that the glory of Jehovah was elevated from its place: These words signify a change of place. God is everywhere said to dwell between the cherubim, and He wished to be called upon there; but now His glory is said to be removed elsewhere. Therefore, it appears that the temple was deprived of God’s presence and was, in some sense, stripped of its holy furnishings; for without God, what remained?

Thus, that darkness which was previously mentioned is repeated here. The glory of Jehovah, then, was withdrawn. From where? From its own place and station, where it dwelt between the cherubim, and it came to the threshold of the temple. Then, he says, all was changed.

For the temple, in which God’s glory formerly shone forth, became full of darkness. However, the threshold of the house, which was, so to speak, profane, was full of splendor. This is not to say that God dwelt at the threshold, for this vision has another meaning: namely, that God, after leaving His temple, appeared outside it. By the threshold, He signifies a place visible to all.

Now, therefore, we understand the design of the Holy Spirit when He says, the glory of Jehovah was elevated from that seat, which He had chosen as a residence for Himself between the cherubim, and was conspicuous above the threshold: As a result, the temple itself grew dark, but God’s brightness was conspicuous in the court itself.