Ezekiel 9

1 Then I heard Him [with a loud, audible voice] call out in a loud voice [with great authority], saying, “Draw near [approach, come close], O executioners [inspectors, overseers] of the city [town, urban center], each with a weapon [article, utensil] of destruction [ruin, devastation] in hand [under his control, at his disposal].” word study 2 And I saw six men coming from the direction of the Upper Gate [facing the north, toward the higher doorway], which faces north [toward the Zaphon, the direction of darkness or cold], each with a weapon of slaughter [an instrument of destruction, a shattering tool] in his hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share]. With them was another man [an individual, a person] clothed in linen [wearing a garment of purity, bad, a type of fabric made from flax] who had a writing kit [a scribe’s inkhorn, a container for ink] at his side [near his loins, the area of the waist or small of the back]. And they came in [entered, approached] and stood [took their position, stood firmly] beside [near, close to] the bronze [made of copper, a base metal] altar [a place of sacrifice, a location for offering to God]. word study 3 Then the glory [great honor or splendor] of the God [Elohim, the supreme God] of Israel rose from above the cherubim [angelic beings], where it had been, and moved to the threshold [sill or entrance] of the temple. And He called to the man [a male person] clothed in linen [a type of fabric made from flax] who had the writing kit [a container for ink, like a pen holder] at his side. word study 4 “Go throughout the city [midst, central part] of Jerusalem,” said the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], “and put a mark [sign, token of ownership] on the foreheads [the prominent part of the face] of the men [individuals, humans] sighing [groaning, mourning in pain] and groaning [crying out in lament] over all [every, the entirety of] the abominations [detestable things, idols] committed [done, made] there [in the midst, centrally].” word study 5 And as I listened, He said to the others [these specific ones], “Follow him through the city [a place with walls and a watchman] and start killing [to smite]; do not show pity [to have compassion] or spare [to have mercy] anyone [no one]! word study 6 Slaughter the old men [elderly, aged], the young men [youth, in their prime] and maidens [virgins, unmarried women], the women [females, wives] and children [little ones, infants]; but do not go near anyone who has the mark [sign, token of God’s protection]. Now begin at My sanctuary [holy place, temple].” So they began with the elders [old men, respected leaders] who were before the temple [house, place of worship]. word study 7 Then He told them, “Defile [make unclean, pollute] the temple [the house of God, a sacred place] and fill [completely satisfy, make full] the courts [open areas, outer spaces] with the slain [those killed, wounded, or profaned]. Go forth [come out, proceed]!” So they went out [departed, left] and began killing [striking, smiting] throughout the city [a populated area, a town]. word study 8 While they were killing [slaying, smiting], I was left [remaining, untouched] alone. And I fell [prostrated myself] facedown [on my face, before Him] and cried out [with a loud voice, in anguish], “Oh, Lord [Adonay, my Master] GOD [Yehovah], when You pour out [shed, unleash] Your wrath [fury, intense anger] on Jerusalem [the city of peace, the holy city], will You destroy [ruin, annihilate] the entire remnant [what is left, the surviving ones] of Israel [God’s chosen people, the descendants of Jacob]?” word study 9 He replied, “The iniquity [moral evil, sin] of the house [dwelling place, family] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants] and Judah [the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob] is exceedingly [very, greatly] great [of immense importance, size, or degree]. The land [the soil, ground, or country] is full of bloodshed [murder, violence], and the city [a place with a wall or a watchman] is full of perversity [moral corruption, distortion]. For they say, ‘The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has forsaken [abandoned, loosened] the land [the earth, country]; the LORD [the supreme God] does not see [is not watching, does not observe].’ word study 10 But as for Me [also, even I], I will not look on them with pity [to pity, have compassion], nor will I spare [show mercy, have pity on] them. I will bring their deeds [way, manner of life] down upon their own heads [as a punishment, in judgment].” word study 11 Then the man [clothed with linen, wearing a linen robe] clothed in linen with the writing kit [inkhorn, a container for ink] at his side reported back, “I have done [accomplished, fulfilled] as You [the Lord, God] commanded [given orders, instructed].” word study