Yechezkel 9

1 Then He cried also in mine oznayim with a kol gadol (loud voice), saying, Cause them that have charge over the Ir to draw near, even every ish with his keli mashcheh (destroying weapon) in his yad.

2 And, hinei, shishah anashim (six men) came from the derech of the Sha’ar HaElyon, which lieth toward the north, and every ish a keli mapatz (slaughter weapon) of his in his yad; and one ish among them was clothed with linen, with a keset hasofer (writing case) at his side; and they went in, and stood beside the Mizbe’ach HaNechoshet.

3 And the Kavod Elohei Yisroel was gone up from the Keruv (Cherub), whereupon it was, to the miftan HaBeis [HaMikdash] (the Threshold of the Beis HaMikdash). And He called to the ish clothed with linen, which had the keset hasofer at his side;

4 And Hashem said unto him, Go through the midst of the Ir, through the midst of Yerushalayim, and put a TAV upon the mitzekhot (foreheads) of the anashim that grieve and lament for kol hato’evot that are being done in the midst thereof.

5 And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye through the Ir after him [i.e., the man with the scribal kit], and strike down; let not your eye have pity, and do not spare;

6 Slay utterly zaken (old man) and bochur (young man), betulah, little children, and nashim; but come not near any ish upon whom is the TAV; and begin at My Mikdash. Then they began with the anashim hazekenim which were before the Beis [HaMikdash][1K 4:17].

7 And He said unto them, Make the Beis [HaMikdash] tameh, and fill the khatzerot (coutyards) with chalalim (slain ones); go ye forth. And they went forth, and slaughtered in the Ir.

8 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried out, and said, Ah, Adonoi Hashem! Wilt Thou destroy kol She’erit Yisroel in Thy pouring out of Thy chemah (wrath, fury) upon Yerushalayim?

9 Then He said unto me, The avon Bais Yisroel and Yehudah is exceeding great, and HaAretz is full of damim, and the Ir full of injustice; for they say, Hashem hath forsaken Ha’Aretz, and Hashem seeth not.

10 And as for Me, Mine eye shall show no pity, neither will I spare, but I will recompense their derech upon their rosh.

11 And, hinei, the ish clothed with linen, which had the keset ([writing] case) at his side, reported, saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded me.

Yechezkel 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.