Ezekiel 9

1 Puis une voix forte retentit à mes oreilles en disant: Approchez, vous qui devez châtier la ville, chacun avec son instrument de destruction à la main.

2 Et voici venir six hommes par le chemin de la porte supérieure qui regarde le Nord, chacun son instrument de destruction à la main. Au milieu d'eux était un homme vêtu de lin, portant une écritoire à sa ceinture; et ils entrèrent, et se tinrent près de l'autel d'airain.

3 Alors la gloire du Dieu d'Israël s'éleva de dessus le chérubin sur lequel elle était, et se dirigea vers le seuil de la maison; elle appela l'homme vêtu de lin, qui portait une écritoire à sa ceinture.

4 Et l'Éternel lui dit: Traverse la ville, Jérusalem, et fais une marque sur le front des hommes qui gémissent et qui soupirent à cause de toutes les abominations qui se commettent dans son sein.

5 Puis il dit aux autres, de manière que je l'entendis: Passez par la ville après lui, et frappez; que votre œil n'épargne personne, et n'ayez point de compassion!

6 Vieillards, jeunes gens, vierges, enfants et femmes, tuez-les tous jusqu'à extermination; mais n'approchez pas de quiconque portera la marque, et commencez par mon sanctuaire. Ils commencèrent donc par les anciens qui étaient devant la maison.

7 Et il leur dit: Profanez la maison, et remplissez les parvis de gens tués! Sortez! Alors ils sortirent, et frappèrent dans toute la ville.

8 Or, comme ils frappaient et que je restais encore, je tombai sur ma face, et m'écriai: Ah! Seigneur, Éternel, veux-tu détruire tout le reste d'Israël, en répandant ta fureur sur Jérusalem?

9 Et il me dit: L'iniquité de la maison d'Israël et de Juda est grande au-delà de toute mesure; le pays est rempli de meurtres, et la ville pleine d'injustices; car ils disent: L'Éternel a abandonné le pays; l'Éternel ne voit rien.

10 Eh bien, mon œil aussi ne les épargnera pas, et je n'aurai point de compassion; je ferai retomber leur conduite sur leur tête.

11 Et voici, l'homme vêtu de lin, qui portait une écritoire à sa ceinture, vint faire son rapport, et dit: J'ai fait comme tu m'as ordonné.

Ezekiel 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.