Ezekiel-Chapter-9

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Re Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2“Mechon-Mamre.org (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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Ezekiel Chapter 9

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Ezekiel Chapter 9 presents a sobering vision of Divine justice. Following the description of the abominations occurring within the Temple in the previous chapter, the prophet now witnesses the arrival of the “executioners” of the city. This passage explores the concept of individual accountability during a time of national crisis, distinguishing between those who condone moral decay and those who grieve over it.

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Below are the verses of Ezekiel Chapter 9:1-11: Whilst below the verses are the Explanation’s. (Chapter is from JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “‘Then He called in mine ears with a loud voice, saying: ‘Cause ye them that have charge over the city to draw near, every man with his destroying weapon in his hand;

Explanation: The “loud voice” signifies the urgency and the finality of the decree. The “visitations” refer to the appointed officers or forces tasked with carrying out the judgment upon Jerusalem.

2. And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his weapon of destruction in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn on his side. And they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.

Explanation: The number six, plus the scribe, totals seven, a number often associated with completion. The “man clothed in linen” represents a celestial scribe or registrar, tasked with a mission of mercy amidst the coming destruction. Standing by the brazen altar indicates that the judgment originates from the very place where the laws were violated.

3. And the glory of the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) of Israel was gone 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 on his side.

Explanation: This depicts the Shekhinah (Divine Presence) beginning to withdraw from the Holy of Holies. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim pauses at the threshold to give specific instructions, showing that the judgment is deliberate and not a blind act of rage.

4. And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto him: ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof’.

Explanation: The “mark” serves as a protective sign. It is specifically for those who did not participate in the city's corruption and, more importantly, felt genuine emotional and spiritual distress over the moral decline of their society.

5. And to the others He said in mine hearing: ‘Go ye through the city after him, and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity;

Explanation: The executioners are commanded to follow the scribe. Their instructions are absolute; once the faithful have been identified, the consequences for the unrepentant are to be carried out without hesitation.

6. 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.

Explanation: This verse emphasizes that the judgment is thorough. By starting at the “sanctuary” with the “elders”, it conveys that those with the most knowledge and leadership responsibility are held to the highest standard of accountability.

7. And He said unto them: ‘Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain; go ye forth’. And they went forth, and smote in the city.

Explanation: The Temple, having already been spiritually defiled by idolatry (as seen in Chapter 8), is now physically defiled by the results of the judgment.

8. And it came to pass, while they were smiting, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said: ‘Ah אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - LORD Elohim! wilt Thou destroy all the residue of Israel in Thy pouring out of Thy fury upon Jerusalem?’

Explanation: Ezekiel, overwhelmed by the severity of the vision, intercedes for his people. His plea reflects the prophetic burden, the tension between acknowledging אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s justice and a deep desire for the survival of the “remnant”.

9. Then said He unto me: ‘The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of wresting of judgment; for they say: The hath forsaken the land, and יְהוָה -the LORD seeth not.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim justifies the severity of the punishment by pointing to the total collapse of the legal and moral order. The people’s belief that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is indifferent (“יְהוָה - the LORD seeth not”) led them to act without a sense of Divine accountability.

10. And as for Me also, Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way upon their head’.

Explanation: This is a restatement of the law of consequences. The “way” of the people, their own actions and choices is what ultimately brings the destruction upon them.

11. And behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn on his side, reported the matter, saying: ‘I have done as Thou hast commanded me’.

Explanation: The chapter concludes with the scribe confirming that the task of marking the righteous is complete. This ensures that even in the midst of national upheaval, the individuals who remained faithful were recognized by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.

 

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My Closing Message:

Ezekiel 9 serves as a powerful reminder that our internal response to the world around us matters. It is not enough to simply refrain from doing evil; the “mark” was given to those who “sighed and cried” over the injustice they saw. This passage challenges us to maintain our moral compass and empathy, even when society at large seems to have lost its way, reassuring us that such integrity does not go unnoticed.

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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hostsMal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

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