View Ezekiel 9 in the note window.
Instruments prepared to destroy the city, ver. 1 - 2.
The glory removes to the threshold of the temple, ver. 3.
Orders given to mark a remnant, ver. 3, 4.
The execution of them who were not marked begun, ver. 5 - 7.
The prophet intercedes, but in vain, ver. 8 - 10.
The report of him that had marked the remnant, ver. 11.
1: He - The man whom he had seen upon the throne.
Them - Those whom God hath appointed to destroy the city: perhaps angels.
Every man - Every one; 'tis an Hebrew idiom. Each of these had a
weapon proper for that kind of destruction which he was to effect;
and so, some to slay with the sword, another with the pestilence,
another with famine. In his hand - Denoting both expedition in, and
strength for the work.
2: And - As soon as the command was given, the ministers of God's
displeasure appear. Men - In appearance and vision they were men, and
the prophet calls them as he saw them. The north - Insinuating whence
their destruction should come. One man - Not a companion, but as one of
authority over them. With linen - A garment proper to the priesthood.
They - All the seven.
3: The glory - The glorious brightness, such as sometimes appeared
above the cherubim in the most holy place. Gone up - Departing from the
place he had so long dwelt in. He was - Wont to sit and appear.
Threshold - Of the temple, in token of his sudden departure from the
Jews, because of their sins.
4: That sigh - Out of grief for other mens sins and sorrows.
Cry - Who dare openly bewail the abominations of this wicked city,
and so bear their testimony against it.
5: The others - The six slaughter - men.
6: At my sanctuary - There are the great sinners, and the abominable
sins which have brought this on them.
7: And slew - The slaughter also was in vision.
8: Was left - Left alone, now both the sealer, and the slayers were
gone.
