Ezekiel 9:2

And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [was] clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.

And, behold, six {H8337} men {H582} came {H935} from the way {H1870} of the higher {H5945} gate {H8179}, which lieth {H6437} toward the north {H6828}, and every man {H376} a slaughter {H4660} weapon {H3627} in his hand {H3027}; and one {H259} man {H376} among {H8432} them was clothed {H3847} with linen {H906}, with a writer's {H5608} inkhorn {H7083} by his side {H4975}: and they went in {H935}, and stood {H5975} beside {H681} the brasen {H5178} altar {H4196}.

At once, six men approached on the path from the upper gate, to the north, each man holding his weapon of destruction. Among them was a man clothed in linen, with a scribe's writing equipment at his waist. They entered and stood by the bronze altar.

And I saw six men coming from the direction of the Upper Gate, which faces north, each with a weapon of slaughter in his hand. With them was another man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. And they came in and stood beside the bronze altar.

And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. And they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.

Ezekiel 9:2 introduces a vivid and somber scene within the prophet Ezekiel's vision of judgment against Jerusalem. This verse details the arrival of divine agents tasked with executing God's wrath upon the city and its defiled temple, highlighting the meticulous nature of divine justice.

Context

This verse immediately follows a terrifying vision in Ezekiel chapter 8, where the prophet is shown the pervasive idolatry and abominations being committed even within the temple precincts. God's glory had departed from the temple, signifying His abandonment of a people who had deeply provoked Him. Chapter 9 describes the consequence of this defilement: the imminent and systematic destruction of Jerusalem. The "higher gate, which lieth toward the north," likely refers to a prominent entrance to the temple complex, from which these divine executioners symbolically arrive, indicating judgment originating from God's holy presence.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The arrival of the "six men" with "slaughter weapons" underscores God's unwavering commitment to judge sin and idolatry. This is not arbitrary destruction but a righteous response to the deep spiritual corruption detailed previously.
  • Distinction of Roles: The verse immediately distinguishes between the six armed men and "one man among them ... clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side." This sets the stage for a crucial separation between those marked for preservation and those destined for destruction, a theme elaborated in Ezekiel 9:4.
  • Preparation for Execution: Their standing "beside the brasen altar" is highly symbolic. The brazen altar was typically where sacrifices were made for atonement. Their presence there, not for sacrifice but for judgment, signifies that the opportunity for atonement through ritual had passed for the unrepentant, and now judgment would commence from the very place of former mercy.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "slaughter weapon" translates the Hebrew word mappēts (מַפֵּץ), which literally means a 'shatterer' or 'destroyer.' It conveys a sense of crushing and breaking, emphasizing the thoroughness of the impending destruction.
  • The man "clothed with linen" (Hebrew: bad, בַּד) signifies purity and is often associated with priestly attire or divine messengers (cf. Daniel 10:5). This highlights his sacred, distinct role in God's plan.
  • The "writer's inkhorn" (Hebrew: qeset, קֶסֶת) was a common scribe's tool, a small case for pens and ink. Its presence indicates a task of recording or marking, which is revealed to be the marking of those who grieve over the abominations in Jerusalem for protection from the coming wrath. This foreshadows the concept of God's seal on His faithful ones.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 9:2 serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and His ultimate justice. It teaches us that:

  1. God sees all: Nothing is hidden from His sight, not even the secret abominations committed in the heart or behind closed doors.
  2. Judgment is certain for the unrepentant: While God is merciful, His justice demands a response to persistent sin. This passage emphasizes that there comes a point when grace gives way to judgment.
  3. God distinguishes His own: Even in times of widespread judgment, God provides a way of preservation for those who truly lament over sin and remain faithful. Our spiritual posture and heart attitude matter deeply to God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 16:4

    He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these [are] holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and [so] put them on.

  • Ezekiel 10:2

    And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, [even] under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter [them] over the city. And he went in in my sight.

  • Revelation 15:6

    And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

  • 2 Kings 15:35

    Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 10:6

    And it came to pass, [that] when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.

  • Ezekiel 10:7

    And [one] cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that [was] between the cherubims, and took [thereof], and put [it] into the hands of [him that was] clothed with linen: who took [it], and went out.

  • Jeremiah 8:16

    The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

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