Ezekiel9
New American Standard
1Then He cried out in my presence with a loud voice, saying, “Come forward, you executioners of the city, each with his weapon of destruction in his hand.”
2And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate which faces north, each with his smashing weapon in his hand; and among them was one man clothed in linen with a scribe’s kit at his waist. And they came in and stood beside the bronze altar.
3Then the glory of the God of Israel ascended from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen at whose waist was the scribe’s kit.
4And the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and make a mark on the foreheads of the people who groan and sigh over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.”
5But to the others He said in my presence, “Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity and do not spare.
6Utterly kill old men, young men, female virgins, little children, and women, but do not touch any person on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary.” So they started with the elders who were before the temple.
7He also said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courtyards with the dead. Go out!” So they went out and struck and killed the people in the city.
8And as they were striking the people and I alone was left, I fell on my face and cried out, saying, “Oh, Lord God! Are You going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel by pouring out Your wrath on Jerusalem?”
9Then He said to me, “The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is very, very great, and the land is filled with blood, and the city is full of perversion; for they say, ‘The Lord has abandoned the land, and the Lord does not see!’
10But as for Me, My eye will have no pity nor will I spare, but I will bring their conduct upon their heads.”
11Then behold, the man clothed in linen, at whose waist was the scribe’s kit, reported, saying, “I have done just as You have 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