Ezekiel 9

—over the city.] A beautiful prophecy that Jerusalem should be burnt by the Babylonians. Coals of fire frequently denote the Divine vengeance. Abp. Newcome, Dr. E. Pocock.

3. Now the cherubims stood: The cherubim which were part of the vision shewed to Ezekiel.

—and the cloud filled the inner court.] This bright cloud seems to be an attendant upon that glory, which was represented in this vision to Ezekiel, chap. viii 4; x. 1. W. Lowth.

Ezekiel 9:2

2.—six men came from the way of the higher gate. &c.] See chap. viii. 14. And behold there appeared six men according to the number of the principal gates of Jerusalem, in representation of so many destroying angels, which came from the way of the north, which lieth towards Chaldea. Ep. Hall.

—the higher gate which lieth toward the north.] This was the north gate of the temple; and it is called “the higher gate,” because it was higher in situation, than the north gate of the court of the people; the temple being placed on a platform higher than that court. Colmut.

—with a writer’s inkhorn by his side:] To set a mark on those who were to be saved from the common

2.—even under the cherub.] The wheels were below or beside the cherubim, and the firmament was above them; and the fire here mentioned ran up and down

Ezekiel 9:3

3.—from the cherub.] The word “cherub” stands for cherubim, as chap. x. 2. W. Lowth, Abp. Newcome. We are to distinguish this appearance of the Divine glory, which had its constant residence in the temple, from that which was shewed particularly to Ezekiel, chap. i. 26; iii. 23; x. 1. W. Lowth.

—And he called] He who sat on the throne, (chap. i. 26,) gave his command to the angel clothed with linen. Abp. Newcome. The Logos, or second Person of the Blessed Trinity, gave his commands, &c. W. Lowth.

Ezekiel 9:4

4.—set a mark upon the foreheads] Compare Rev. vii. 3. The expression alludes to the custom of the Eastern nations, of marking their servants in the forehead. Grotus.

The Easterns used ink in sealing; whence the use of the inkhorn: see ver. 3. Harmer. They make the impression of their name with their seal, generally of cornelian, which they wear with their finger, and which is blackened, when they have occasion to seal with it. Ep. Pocce.

4.—the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub.] See chap. ix. 3. To shew them that He meant to remove away from Israel; and yet not all at once, but by degrees, and therefore He removed first only to the threshold of the temple. Bp. Hull.

Ezekiel 9:5

5.—the outer court.] The noise was heard in the court of the people: for all this passed in the sanctuary. Calmet. See the plan of the temple.

9—12. See chap. i. 16—18.

Ezekiel 9:6

6.—old and young.] This denunciation was executed by the Chaldeans, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 17. W. Lowth.

—at the ancient men] The five and twenty who were worshipping the sun in the sanctuary, between the porch and the altar, chap. viii. 16.

Ezekiel 9:7

7.—Defile the house.] Pollute it with the blood of the slain. W. Lowth, Abp. Newcome.

Before CHRIST about 594. his arms. a mark. a Exodus 12. 7. Rev. 7. 3. ears. destruction. The vision of the coals of fire, to be scattered over the city. Before CHRIST about 594. with. of judgment. c Chap. 5. 11. & 7. 4. & 8. 18. returned the word.

they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?

Ezekiel 9:9

9.—full of blood.] Blood is sometimes taken in the Scriptures in a comprehensive sense, as including all heinous sins. Dr. E. Pocock. But see the note on chap. xxiv. 6.

Ezekiel 9:10

10.—mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity.] It is well to be observed, that when Ezekiel inquired of God, whether He would destroy his people, God answered, that the sins of the Jews were too great not to be avenged; that they had carried their impiety so far as to say, “The Lord hath forsaken the land, the Lord seeth not;” and therefore that He would no longer have any pity on them. When men have arrived at a certain degree of wickedness; when they have lost all fear of God, and every thing is in the utmost disorder; God is, as it were, obliged to execute justice, and his mercy gives way to his vengeance. Osterwald.

Chap. X. ver. 1.—in the firmament] See the note on chap. i. 26.

10.—had one likeness.] The works of God, however Before CHRIST 594. lifted up. b Chap. 1. 24. forth. c Chap. 1. 16.