Ezechiele 9

1 POI egli gridò ad alta voce, udente me, dicendo: Accostatevi voi, che avete commessione contro alla città, avendo ciascuno le sue armi da distruggere in mano.

2 Ed ecco sei uomini, che venivano di verso la porta alta, che riguarda verso il Settentrione, avendo ciascuno in mano le sue armi da dissipare; e nel mezzo di loro vi era un uomo vestito di panni lini, il quale avea un calamaio di scrivano in su i lombi; ed essi entrarono, e si fermarono presso all’altare di rame.

3 E la gloria dell’Iddio d’Israele si elevò d’in su i Cherubini, sopra i quali era; e trasse verso la soglia della Casa. E il Signore gridò all’uomo ch’era vestito di panni lini, che avea il calamaio di scrivano in su i lombi, e gli disse:

4 Passa per mezzo la città, per mezzo Gerusalemme, e fa’ un segno sopra la fronte degli uomini che gemono, e sospirano per tutte le abbominazioni che si commettono nel mezzo di lei.

5 Ed agli altri disse, udente me: Passate dietro a lui per la città, e percotete; il vostro occhio non perdoni, e non risparmiate.

6 Uccidete ad esterminio vecchi, e giovani, e vergini, e piccoli fanciulli, e donne; ma non vi accostate ad alcuno, sopra cui sia il segno; e cominciate dal mio santuario. Essi adunque cominciarono da quegli uomini anziani, ch’erano davanti alla Casa.

7 Ed egli disse loro: Contaminate la Casa, ed empiete d’uccisi i cortili. Poi disse loro: Uscite. Ed essi uscirono, e andavano percotendo per la città.

8 E come essi andavano percotendo, io rimasi quivi solo, e caddi sopra la mia faccia, e gridai, e dissi: Oimè lasso, Signore Iddio! distruggi tu tutto il rimanente d’Israele, spandendo la tua ira sopra Gerusalemme?

9 Ed egli mi rispose: L’iniquità della casa d’Israele, e di Giuda, è oltre modo grande; e il paese è pieno di sangue, e la città è piena di sviamento; perciocchè hanno detto: Il Signore ha abbandonato il paese, e il Signore non vede nulla.

10 Perciò, l’occhio mio non perdonerà, ed io non risparmierò; io renderò loro la lor via in sul capo.

11 Ed ecco, l’uomo ch’era vestito di panni lini, che avea il calamaio sopra i lombi, fece il suo rapporto, dicendo: Io ho fatto secondo che tu mi comandasti.

Ezechiele 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

A vision denoting the destruction of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the departure of the symbol of the Divine presence.

Verses 1-4 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.

Verses 5-11 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.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 9

In this chapter is contained a vision, representing the destruction of the idolatrous Jews, and the preservation of the godly that were among them, in which different persons were employed; they that were concerned in the destruction of the idolaters are described by their office; they had charge over the city; by their form and appearance, men; by their number, six; by the quarter from whence they came, the way of the higher gate northward; and by the weapons they had in their hands, slaughter ones; and by their place and posture, standing beside the brasen altar, Eze 9:1,2; among these were one clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side; to whom the glorious God of Israel, who was removed from the cherub to the threshold of the house, gave orders to go through the city of Jerusalem, and mark those that mourned over the abominations of it, Eze 9:3,4; and the rest he ordered to go through the city, and slay all of every age, and sex, and state, except those that had the mark; beginning at the sanctuary, and filling the courts with the slain; which orders were obeyed, Eze 9:5-7; upon which the prophet expostulates with the Lord, and intercedes for the people; but is not heard, because of the abounding of iniquity among them; their frequent shedding of blood; their perversion of justice; and their abominable infidelity and atheism; for which reasons he was determined to show them no mercy, Eze 9:8-10; and the chapter is closed with a report made by the man clothed with linen, that he had done as was commanded him, Eze 9:11.