Ezekiel 9:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 9:5-11

In these verses we have, I. A command given to the destroyers to do execution according to their commission. They stood by the brazen altar, waiting for orders; and orders are here given them to cut off and destroy all that were either guilty of, or accessory to, the abominations of Jerusalem, and that did not sigh and cry for them. Note, When God has gathered his wheat into his garner nothing remains but to burn up the chaff, Matt. 3:12. 1. They are ordered to destroy all, (1.) Without... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 9:6

Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children , and women ,.... All, of them objects of compassion, because of their age and sex; and yet none to be spared; and which orders were exactly obeyed; see 2 Chronicles 36:17 ; but come not near any man on whom is the mark ; these were not to be slain; and though some were carried captive, as Daniel, and others; yet it was for their good and God's glory; see Revelation 7:3 ; and begin at my sanctuary ; the temple,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 most punished. But let not those who belong to the synagogue of Satan exult in this, for if judgment begin at the house of God what will the end be of them who obey not the Gospel! However, the truly penitent of all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 9:1-7

The hour of judgment. As among men there are magistrates' sessions as well as the great assizes, so also God has seasons for the local administration of justice, as well as the final judgment. In fact, God is always upon his judicial seat, always meting out justice to the various orders of his creatures. If he ceased to judge, he would cease to rule. I. MARK THE SUPREMACY OF GOD 'S JUDICIAL VOICE . The last chapter finished with the declaration, "Though they cry in mine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 9:1-7

Divine discrimination in the execution of judgment. "He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near," etc. In the preceding chapter the various forms of idolatry which were practised in Jerusalem, and by which the Lord Jehovah was provoked, were set forth; and now Ezekiel beholds in vision the treatment which God was about to deal out to the people by reason of their provocations. We observe— I. THAT THE AGENTS OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 9:6

Begin at my sanctuary, etc. It was fitting that the spot in which guilt had culminated should be the starting point of punishment. There seems something like a reference to this command in 1 Peter 4:17 . In each ease judgment "begins at the house of God." So the dread work began with the ancient men , or elders, of the same class, i.e; if not the same persons, as those in Ezekiel 8:11 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 9:6

Beginning at the sanctuary. The apostles, when entering on their missionary labours, were to "begin at Jerusalem" ( Luke 24:47 ). The destroying messengers were to begin their direful work at the sanctuary. I. THERE IS NO PROTECTION IN THE SANCTUARY . Some might flee to the holy shrine as to an asylum. This was done at heathen temples, and later at Christian churches, and no doubt in rude, violent ages, the pause of vengeance which such places afforded, like the use of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 9:6

Begin at the sanctuary! The vision which Ezekiel saw, and which brought vividly before his mind the moral state of his country's metropolis, contained no feature more painful than the representation of the idolatry prevailing in the very precincts of the temple itself. He saw twenty-five men, apparently representing the priesthood, turning their backs towards the temple of the Lord, and their faces towards the east, and worshipping the rising sun. Upon these, as the most flagrant and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 9:6

Begin at my sanctuary - The first to be punished were those who had brought idolatry nearest to the holy place. The “ancient men,” i. e., the 25 men who had stood with their backs to the altar Ezekiel 8:16 were the first to be slain. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 9:5-7

Ezekiel 9:5-7. To the others he said, Go ye after him and smite That is, cut off and destroy all that are either guilty of, or accessory to the abominations of Jerusalem, and even all that do not sigh and cry for them, or that are not affected with grief and sorrow on account of them. Let not your eyes spare You must not save any whom God has doomed to destruction. None needs to be more merciful than God is, and he had said, Ezekiel 8:18, My eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity.... read more

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