Ezekiel9
King James Version · Public Domain
1He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
2And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
3And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
4And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
5And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
6Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
7And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
8And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?
9Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.
10And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
11And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezekiel 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A vision denoting the destruction of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the departure of the symbol of the Divine presence. (1-11).
vv1-4
It is a great comfort to believers, that in the midst of destroyers and destructions, there is a Mediator, a great High Priest, who has an interest in heaven, and in whom saints on earth have an interest. The representation of the Divine glory from above the ark, removed to the threshold, denoted that the Lord was about to leave his mercy-seat, and to pronounce judgment on the people. The distinguishing character of this remnant that is to be saved, is such as sigh and cry to God in prayer, because of the abominations in Jerusalem. Those who keep pure in times of general wickedness, God will keep safe in times of general trouble and distress.
vv5-11
The slaughter must begin at the sanctuary, that all may see and know that the Lord hates sin most in those nearest to him. He who was appointed to protect, reported the matter. Christ is faithful to the trust reposed in him. Is he commanded by his Father to secure eternal life to the chosen remnant? He says, Of all that thou hast given me, I have lost none. If others perish, and we are saved, we must ascribe the difference wholly to the mercy of our God, for we too have deserved wrath. Let us still continue to plead in behalf of others. But where the Lord shows no mercy he does no injustice; he only recompenses men's ways.
Key Words
קָרָא: to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֹזֶן: broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
קוֹל: a voice or sound
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
קָרַב: to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
פְּקֻדָּה: visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)
עִיר: a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מַשְׁחֵת: destruction
Cross References
Ezekiel 9Angels are commanded not to harm the earth until God's servants are sealed on their foreheads.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Judgment begins at the sanctuary/house of God; Peter echoes this principle of divine priority.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
A heavenly figure, identified with Christ/high priest, appears clothed in linen garments.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Passover blood-mark on houses preserved the elect, typifying the protective mark on foreheads.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Sighing and shedding tears over widespread violations of God's holy law.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Directly echoes God's judicial refusal to spare or show pity to the apostates.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Repeats the wicked excuse for idolatry and perverseness: 'The Lord seeth us not.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Linen garments denote the holy priestly office and purity of the intercessory mediator.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The same linen-clothed man receives instructions to scatter coals of fire over the city.
Supported by JFB
Command to hurt only those men who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads.
Supported by JFB
Historical fulfillment where Chaldeans slew young men and women in the house of their sanctuary.
Supported by John Calvin
The wicked self-delusion that God does not see or regard their oppressive deeds.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Ezekiel's identical prostrate plea: 'Ah Lord God! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant?'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the 'higher gate' of the temple built by King Jotham.
Supported by Matthew Poole