Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling.
Click to switch to the Standard KJV.



+     Text Size    

1 Hee cryed also in mine eares, with a loude voyce, saying; Cause them that hauecharge ouer the citie, to draw neere, euen euery man with his destroying weapon in his hand.

2 And behold, sixe men came from the way of the higher gate, which lyeth toward the North, and euery man a slaughter weapon in his hand: and one man among them was clothed with linnen, with a writers inkehorne by his side, and they went in and stood beside the brasen altar.

3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone vp from the Cherub whereupon hee was, to the threshold of the house, and he called to the man clothed with linnen, which had the writers inkehorne by his side.

4 And the Lord sayd vnto him, Goe through the middest of the citie, through the middest of Ierusalem, and set a marke vpon the foreheads of the men that sigh, and that cry for all the abominations, that bee done in the middest thereof.

5 ¶ And to the others he said in mine hearing, Goe ye after him through the citie, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither haue ye pitie.

6 Slay vtterly olde and yong; both maides, and litle children, and women: but come not neere any man vpon whom is the marke, and begin at my sanctuary: then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

7 And hee sayd vnto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slaine, goe ye forth: and they went forth and slew in the citie.

8 ¶ And it came to passe while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell vpon my face, and cryed and said, Ah, Lord God, wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel, in thy powring out of thy fury vpon Ierusalem?

9 Then sayd he vnto me; The iniquity of the house of Israel and Iudah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the citie full of peruersenesse: for they say; The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.

10 And as for me also, mine eye shal not spare, neither will I haue pitie, but I will recompence their way vpon their head.

11 And behold, the man clothed with linnen, which had the inkehorne by his side, reported the matter, saying; I haue done as thou hast commanded me.

Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling
Click to switch to the Standard KJV.


Commentary for Ezekiel 9

A vision denoting the destruction of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the departure of the symbol of the Divine presence.1-4 It is a great comfort to believers, that in the midst of destroyers and destructions, there is a Mediator, a great High Priest, who has an interest in heaven, and in whom saints on earth have an interest. The representation of the Divine glory from above the ark, removed to the threshold, denoted that the Lord was about to leave his mercy-seat, and to pronounce judgment on the people. The distinguishing character of this remnant that is to be saved, is such as sigh and cry to God in prayer, because of the abominations in Jerusalem. Those who keep pure in times of general wickedness, God will keep safe in times of general trouble and distress.

5-11 The slaughter must begin at the sanctuary, that all may see and know that the Lord hates sin most in those nearest to him. He who was appointed to protect, reported the matter. Christ is faithful to the trust reposed in him. Is he commanded by his Father to secure eternal life to the chosen remnant? He says, Of all that thou hast given me, I have lost none. If others perish, and we are saved, we must ascribe the difference wholly to the mercy of our God, for we too have deserved wrath. Let us still continue to plead in behalf of others. But where the Lord shows no mercy he does no injustice; he only recompenses men's ways.

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

Bible Options

Sponsored Links