Read & explore together
Execution of the Idolaters
Ezekiel 9:1–11 is a solemn prophetic vision of judgement in Jerusalem. It shows a clear separation between those who grieve over abominations and those facing the city-wide stroke of wrath.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Ezekiel hears a loud summons and sees six armed men and one man in linen with a writer’s inkhorn. The glory of the God of Israel moves to the threshold of the house, commands are given, Ezekiel cries out, and the man in linen reports back.
Ezekiel 9:1–11Main takeaway
This vision presents God’s judgement as deliberate, while also showing that he distinguishes those who grieve over the evil done in Jerusalem.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Armed figures gather for judgementThe vision begins with a loud command for those in charge of the city to come near with destroying weapons.
Explanation
The vision begins with a loud command for those in charge of the city to come near with destroying weapons. Six men arrive from the upper gate with slaughter weapons, and one man among them is clothed in linen with a writer’s inkhorn. They stand beside the bronze altar, awaiting orders.
02A mark for those who mourn evilThe glory of the God of Israel moves from the cherub to the threshold of the house and calls the man in linen.
Explanation
The glory of the God of Israel moves from the cherub to the threshold of the house and calls the man in linen. He is sent through Jerusalem to place a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over the abominations being done there.
03Judgement begins at the sanctuaryThe others are told to go through the city after him and strike without pity, but they must not come near anyone with the mark.
Explanation
The others are told to go through the city after him and strike without pity, but they must not come near anyone with the mark. The command says to begin at the sanctuary, and the vision reports that they began at the old men who were before the house.
04Ezekiel cries out and hears the reasonEzekiel falls on his face and asks whether all the residue of Israel will be destroyed. The answer points to exceedingly great iniquity, a land full of blood, and a city full of perversion.
Explanation
Ezekiel falls on his face and asks whether all the residue of Israel will be destroyed. The answer points to exceedingly great iniquity, a land full of blood, and a city full of perversion. The people say Yahweh has forsaken the land and does not see, and the man in linen finally reports, “I have done as you have commanded me.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Who receives the mark in this vision?
Read the exact description in Ezekiel 9:4 and notice that the mark is for those who sigh and cry over the abominations in Jerusalem.
02Where does the judgement begin?
Look at Ezekiel 9:6 and observe both the command to begin at the sanctuary and the statement about the old men before the house.
03What reasons are given for this judgement?
List the words used in Ezekiel 9:9 and Ezekiel 9:10, including iniquity, blood, perversion, and the people’s claim that Yahweh does not see.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 9:1–11
1Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Cause those who are in charge of the city to draw near, each man with his destroying weapon in his hand.”
2Behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand. One man in the middle of them was clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar.
3The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side.
4Yahweh said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”
5To the others he said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him, and strike. Don’t let your eye spare, neither have pity.
6Kill utterly the old man, the young man, the virgin, little children and women; but don’t come near any man on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” Then they began at the old men who were before the house.
7He said to them, “Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” They went out, and struck in the city.
8While they were killing, and I was left, I fell on my face, and cried, and said, “Ah Lord Yahweh! Will you destroy all the residue of Israel in your pouring out of your wrath on Jerusalem?”
9Then he said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perversion; for they say, ‘Yahweh has forsaken the land, and Yahweh doesn’t see.’
10As for me also, my eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way on their head.”
11Behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, “I have done as you have commanded me.”