CHAPTER IX _The vision in this chapter seems intended to denote the general_ _destruction of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, excepting a few_ _pious individuals that were distressed at the abominations that_ _were committed in the land; who, in order to be delivered from_ _the general calamity, w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:2. _STOOD BESIDE THE BRAZEN ALTAR._] To signify that the people against whom they had their commission were, for their crimes, to be sacrificed to the demands of Divine justice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:3. _AND HE CALLED TO THE MAN_] The person here who called was that who sat on the chariot of the Divine glory. See Ezekiel 1:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:4. _SET A MARK UPON THE FOREHEADS OF THE MEN THAT SIGH_] This is in allusion to the ancient every-where-used custom of setting marks on servants and slaves, to distinguish them from others. It was also common for the worshippers of particular idols to have their idol's _mark_ upon t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:6. _BEGIN AT MY SANCTUARY._] Let those who have sinned against most mercy, and most privileges, be the first victims of justice. Those who know their Lord's will, and do it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. The unfaithful _members of Christ's_ _church_ will be first visited and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:7. _DEFILE THE HOUSE_] A dreadful sentence, Let it be polluted, I will no more dwell in it; I now utterly forsake it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:8. _WILT THOU DESTROY ALL THE RESIDUE OF ISRAEL, ON THY_ _POURING OUT OF THY FURY UPON JERUSALEM?_] These destroyers had slain the _seventy_ elders, the _twenty-five_ adorers of the sun, and the women that mourned for Tammuz; and on seeing this slaughter the prophet fell on his face,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:9. _FOR THEY SAY, THE LORDS HATH FORSAKEN THE EARTH_] את הארץ _eth haarets_, "this land." He has no more place in Israel; he has quite abandoned it; he neither sees nor cares, and he can be no longer the object of worship to any man in Israel. This seems to be the meaning; and God hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:10. _MINE EYE SHALL NOT SPARE_] They say, _the Lord seeth_ _not_: this is false; I have seen all their iniquities, and do see all their abominations; and I will bring deserved judgment upon them, and then that eye which now sees will neither pity nor spare.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 9:11. _I HAVE DONE AS THOU HAST COMMANDED ME._] Angels and men must all give account of their conduct to God; for although he is every where, and his eye sees all things, yet they must personally account for all that they have done. _I have done as thou hast_ _commanded me_. The penite... [ Continue Reading ]