Ezekiel 9:4

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2 And suddenly six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his¹ battle-ax in his hand. ^aOne man among them was clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn² at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar.

3 Now ^athe glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the¹ temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side;

4 and the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put ^aa mark on the foreheads of the men ^bwho sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”

5 To the others He said in my¹ hearing, “Go after him through the city and ^akill; ^bdo not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.

6 ^aUtterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but ^bdo not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and ^cbegin at My sanctuary.” ^dSo they began with the elders who were before the² temple.

7 Then He said to them, “Defile the¹ temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” And they went out and killed in the city.

Commentaries:

Matthew Henry

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Ezekiel 9:1-11

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.

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