Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them means the living creatures and the wheels began to move after God had finished speaking. For the winged creatures called cherubim, see 9.3 and 10.1. Lifted up their wings may be rendered “spread their wings” (Contemporary English Version; see 10.16). However, it is clear that the creatures began to move since the wheels are also mentioned as going with them. With the wheels beside them means the wheels moved in unison with the creatures (see 10.19). Good News Translation provides a helpful model for this whole sentence, saying “The living creatures began to fly, and the wheels went with them.” Another possible model is “After the LORD had finished speaking, the cherubim spread their wings and flew into the air, and the wheels moved with them” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

And the glory of the God of Israel was over them: See 10.19. God was on the platform above the creatures.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .