Ezekiel 9 - Introduction

First act of the divine judgment, slaughter of the inhabitants of the city

Ch. 8 presented a picture of the enormities practised by the inhabitants of the land and of the city, their religious debasement in contrast with the glory of Jehovah. The description was meant to lead up to the conclusion expressed in the end of the chapter, "Therefore will I deal in fury, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity" (ch. Ezekiel 8:18). Now is shewn the first act of the execution of this threat.

(1) Ezekiel 9:1. A loud cry proceeded from the glory of the Lord, Bring hither the executioners of the city! and forthwith are seen approaching from the northern gate of the temple six men, each with his weapon of destruction in his hand, and a seventh clad in linen garments, with a writer's inkhorn at his girdle. The seven take up their position between the house and the brazen altar.

(2) Ezekiel 9:4. Ere this the glory of the Lord which was over the cherubim had risen, or now rose, and stood over the threshold of the temple. From there a cry came to the man clothed in linen to go forth into the city and put a mark upon the foreheads of those who mourned over the evils done in the midst of it, and to the six others to follow him and slay indiscriminately all not so sealed, and to begin at the house of the Lord.

(3) Ezekiel 9:7. Immediately the work of slaughter commences, beginning with the elders before the house (ch. Ezekiel 8:16). From there the destroying angels move outwards, polluting the courts with dead, and pass into the city. The prophet is left alone, conscious only of the work going on without. This work fills his mind with such a conception of the wrath of God that it seems to him the whole remnant of Israel must perish before it. He falls on his face and intercedes for them, but is answered that the sin is great, and must be unsparingly chastised.

(4) Ezekiel 9:11. While his intercession is repelled, the man clad in linen garments returns, announcing the fulfilment of the commands given to him and his fellows.