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Ezekiel 9

11 verses

TL;DR

Ezekiel 9 records an angelic visitation in which God commands a marked messenger to identify the righteous and a group of warriors to kill the wicked in Jerusalem, illustrating divine judgment.

Summary

The chapter opens with a thunderous cry of judgment, commanding those who oversee Jerusalem to come armed. Six men appear, each holding a slaughter weapon, with one clothed in linen and carrying an inkhorn. The angelic figure marks the foreheads of the righteous who lament the city’s sins, while the others are ordered to slay the wicked—old, young, women, and children—yet must avoid the marked men and begin at the sanctuary. Ezekiel expresses horror at the impending destruction, and God responds with a declaration of the nation's great iniquity and a promise to mete out justice. The vision concludes with the linen-clad messenger reporting his obedience to God’s command.

Outline
  1. The angelic call to judgment and the arrival of armed men
  2. Marking the righteous and ordering the slaughter of the wicked
  3. Ezekiel’s lament and God’s affirmation of divine judgment
Themes
Divine judgment and holinessThe role of the righteous as witnessesThe severity of sin in Israel
Keywords
judgmentwrathrighteouswickedmarkslaughterJerusaleminquiry
People
Ezekielthe Angel (clothed with linen)the LORDthe men with slaughter weapons
Places
Jerusalemthe House/Templethe Higher Gate
Things
cherubbrass altarlineninkhornforehead markslaughter weapons
Key Verses
  • Ezekiel 9:1: The divine cry announcing judgment.
  • Ezekiel 9:4: The angel’s instruction to mark the righteous.
  • Ezekiel 9:5: The command to slay the wicked without mercy.
  • Ezekiel 9:8: Ezekiel’s lament about Israel’s destruction.
  • Ezekiel 9:10: The angel’s report of obedience.
Questions
  • Why does God command the marking of the righteous?
  • What does the forehead mark signify for both the righteous and the executioners?
  • How does the violence in this vision relate to the broader theme of divine justice in Ezekiel?
  • What can modern readers learn about the role of witnesses in upholding moral standards?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter emphasizes severe judgment and violence.