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Ezekiel 9

World English Bible

WEB

1Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Cause those who are in charge of the city to draw near, each man with his destroying weapon in his hand.” 2Behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand. One man in the middle of them was clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar. 3The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side. 4Yahweh said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” 5To the others he said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him, and strike. Don’t let your eye spare, neither have pity. 6Kill utterly the old man, the young man, the virgin, little children and women; but don’t come near any man on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” Then they began at the old men who were before the house. 7He said to them, “Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” They went out, and struck in the city. 8While they were killing, and I was left, I fell on my face, and cried, and said, “Ah Lord Yahweh! Will you destroy all the residue of Israel in your pouring out of your wrath on Jerusalem?” 9Then he said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perversion; for they say, ‘Yahweh has forsaken the land, and Yahweh doesn’t see.’ 10As for me also, my eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way on their head.” 11Behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, “I have done as you have commanded me.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Ezekiel Chapter 9 presents a powerful vision of divine judgment and the call for purification among the people of #Israel. The chapter begins with a command from God to the six men who are tasked with executing judgment upon the city of #Jerusalem. Each man is equipped with a weapon, symbolizing the seriousness of the impending judgment. However, before the destruction begins, a man clothed in linen with a writing kit is instructed to mark the foreheads of those who mourn and grieve over the abominations committed in the city. This act of marking signifies God's mercy and protection for the faithful remnant who remain loyal to Him amidst widespread corruption and idolatry (Ezekiel 9:4).

As the chapter progresses, the six men are commanded to slay the inhabitants of Jerusalem who do not bear the mark, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment against sin. The phrase "begin at my sanctuary" (Ezekiel 9:6) highlights that judgment begins with those who are closest to God, indicating that even the leaders and priests are not exempt from accountability. This chapter serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and the necessity of repentance, as well as the hope that those who are faithful will be spared from judgment. Ultimately, Ezekiel 9 calls us to reflect on our own lives and the importance of being marked by faithfulness to God in a world that often turns away from Him.

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Referenced by

  1. Genesis 4:15v4Genesis 4:15 describes God's protection over Cain with a mark, similar to the mark given in Ezekiel 9:4-6 to protect the faithful in Jerusalem.
  2. 1 Peter 4:17v61 Peter 4:17 speaks of judgment beginning at the house of God, which is reminiscent of Ezekiel 9:6 where judgment starts at the sanctuary.
  3. Revelation 7:3v4Revelation 7:3 describes the sealing of God's servants on their foreheads, similar to Ezekiel 9:4 where a mark is placed on the foreheads of those who grieve over sin, indicating divine protection.

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