Ezekiel 9

Ezekiel 9:1

CAuse them that have charge over the citie] The visitations of the citie draw neer. That is, the time to take vengeance. When the visitors are called for, the visitation will be kept.

even every man] In this vision, being a figure of what was done on earth, God speaks to his Angels, executioners of his judgements: by which are meant the Chaldeans, instruments of the Jews destruction.

Ezekiel 9:2

six men] Which were Angels in the similitude of men, as Genesis 18:2. Acts 1:10. who with him that had the inkehorn were seven, a number much used in such Commissions, Revelation 1:4. & Revelation 5:6. & Revelation 8:2. Some have thought that by these six Angels were meant the six chife Commanders under the King of Babylon, who did invade and take Jerusalem, Jeremiah 39:3. See 2 Chron. 29. 21.

higher gate] Every gae belonging to the courts of the Temple had a portall belonging to it, which was a great building that had two overtures, with a gallery or entry between, one of these doores was towards the outward court, the other towards the inner court: Now the plain on the out side being lower, the gate was likewise lower, and that of the inner court was higher, and they went up to it by steps, Chap. 40. 18. 2 Kings 15:35.

which lyeth toward the north] Heb. which is turned. To signifie Chaldea, which lay northward from Judea, from whence came the desolation which is here described. Jeremiah 1:13.

a slaughter-weapon] Heb. a weapon of his breaking in pieces.

one man] By whom Christ our Mediator and Saviour seemeth to be signified both from his effects which are after set down, and also by his apparell which the high sacrificer used, Exodus 28:42-43. Lev. 6. 10. & 16. 4. Others say he was a created Angel, Chap. 10. 2. who among the rest was a Minister of grace, and therefore he is not here set forth armed, but in a priestly habit.

among them] Heb. in the midst of them. But none of the six, v. 2. because those every of them had weapons, and were ordained to dstroy the wicked: but this had a Writers inkehorne.

inkehorne] To mark them in the fore-head that mourned for the sinne of the City v. 3. that they might be kept safe. That falleth out in Jeremy, Baruc, Abdemelech, and such godly: So in the spirituall fall from the faith to idolatry, which the Apocalyps revealeth, an Angel commeth from the East, and sealeth a great number, who make seven Trumpeters against King Abaddon, Apoc. 7. 8. 9.

by his side] Heb. upon his loynes.

brasen altar] Namely, the Altar of burnt-offerings, Exodus 27:2. Now these Angels doe here present themselves, as it were to receive their commission from God comming out of his Temple.

Ezekiel 9:3

glory of the God] Namely, the Sonne of God appearing upon the hariot which was the throne of glory, Chap. 1. 3. & 3. 23. seen by the Prophet in the Court, as visiting his house and the Jewes inquitie in it, Chap. 8. 4. Now he commeth out to the gate of the Temple for to pronounce the sentence.

was gone up] It is not likely that the Sonne of God did goe off from the Chariot, but the meaning is, that he raised himselfe above the Cherubims which were about the Chariot, and by that motion gave the Cherubims, and all that frame, warning for to move. See Ezekiel 1:11. 20. & 10. 4.

and he called to the man] Namely, the Sonne of God, who sate upon the Throne, Chap. 1. 26.

Ezekiel 9:4

set a mark] Heb. mark a mark. All this happened in vision, for a figure of the distinction which God makes in his generall judgements, between his elect and beleevers, and the wicked.

that sigh] He sheweth what is the manner of Gods children whom he marketh to salvation; to wit, to mourn and cry out against the wickednesse which they see committed against God.

Ezekiel 9:5

mine hearing] Heb. mine eares.

Ezekiel 9:6

Slay utterly] Heb. to destruction.

the mark] Thus in all his plagues the Lord preserveth his small number, which he marketh as Exodus 12:23. Revelation 7:3. but the chiefe mark is the spirit of adoption, wherewith the heart is sealed up to life everlasting.

and begin] 1 Peter 4:18.

my sanctuary] Namely, at the Priests and other sacred Ministers, who had defiled themselves with idolatry, Chap. 8. 11. 16.

the ancient men] Chap. 8. 11.

Ezekiel 9:7

Defile the house] Make a slaughter there, and beare no respect to the holy place: for according to the law a place was defiled by a dead carcasse, or by blood spilt therein.

the courts] There were two courts, the inward, and the outward; whereof that was named the court of the Priests, this of the people, 2 Chronicles 4:9.

Ezekiel 9:8

Ah, Lord God] This declareth that the servants of God have a compassion, when they see his judgements executed.

Ezekiel 9:9

residue of Israel] That is, of the Tribe of Judah.

Israel and Judah] The conjunction copulati seemeth to be put by way of interpretation, so that the former word is expounded by the latter: Or it may be said, that among the tribe of Judah, some of the ten tribes did remain.

full of bloud] Heb. filled with. That is, with all kind of wickednesse, read Isaiah 1:15.

perversenesse] Or, wresting of judgement.

The LORD] Chap 8. 12.

Ezekiel 9:10

mine eye shall not spare] Chap. 5. 11. & 7. 4. & 8. 18.

Ezekiel 9:11

reported] Heb. returned the word.