Ezekiel 9:6
4 “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”
5 And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone!
Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.
7 Then He told them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city.
8 While they were killing, I was left alone. And I fell facedown and cried out, “Oh, Lord GOD, when You pour out Your wrath on Jerusalem, will You destroy the entire remnant of Israel?”
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.
- KJV
- Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
- WEB
- Kill 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.
- ASV
- slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark: and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the old men that were before the house.
- DARBY
- Slay utterly the old man, the young man, and the maiden, and little children, and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the elders who were before the house.
- BLB
- Aged, young man, and maidens, and little children, and women you⁺ will slay to destruction; and upon every man, upon him who [has] the mark, you⁺ will not come near. And at My sanctuary you⁺ will begin!” And they began with the elder men who [were] before the face of the house.
- ÅB
- Gamle folk, unge menn og jomfruer, spebarn og kvinner skal dere hugge ned for fote; men dere må ikke røre noen av dem som tegnet er på. Dere skal begynne fra min helligdom. Og de begynte med de gamle menn som sto foran huset.
- OTB
- Slakt de gamle mennene, de unge mennene, jomfruene, barna og kvinnene, men rør ikke noen som har merket. Begynn ved min helligdom.” Så de begynte med de eldste som var foran tempelet.
- B1930
- Gamle folk, unge menn og jomfruer, spebarn og kvinner skal I hugge ned for fote; men I må ikke røre nogen av dem som tegnet er på. I skal begynne fra min helligdom. Og de begynte med de gamle menn som stod foran huset.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Revelation 9:4
They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Read in contextExodus 12:23
When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.
Read in contextJeremiah 25:29
For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts.’
Read in context2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
Read in contextRevelation 7:3
“Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
Read in context1 Peter 4:17–18
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
Read in contextLuke 12:47
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
Read in context2 Chronicles 36:17
So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,
Read in context