1. καὶ ἀνέκραγεν εἰς τὰ ὦτά μου φωνῇ μεγάλῃ λέγων ἤγγικεν ἡ ἐκδίκησις τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἕκαστος εἶχεν τὰ σκεύη τῆς ἐξολεθρεύσεως ἐν χειρὶ αὐτοῦ
2. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἓξ ἄνδρες ἤρχοντο ἀπὸ τῆς ὁδοῦ τῆς πύλης τῆς ὑψηλῆς τῆς βλεπούσης πρὸς βορρᾶν καὶ ἑκάστου πέλυξ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἷς ἀνὴρ ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν ἐνδεδυκὼς ποδήρη καὶ ζώνη σαπφείρου ἐπὶ τῆς ὀσφύος αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσήλθοσαν καὶ ἔστησαν ἐχόμενοι τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου τοῦ χαλκοῦ
3. καὶ δόξα θεοῦ τοῦ Ισραηλ ἀνέβη ἀπὸ τῶν χερουβιν ἡ οὖσα ἐπ’ αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ αἴθριον τοῦ οἴκου καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν ἐνδεδυκότα τὸν ποδήρη ὃς εἶχεν ἐπὶ τῆς ὀσφύος αὐτοῦ τὴν ζώνην
4. καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν δίελθε μέσην τὴν Ιερουσαλημ καὶ δὸς τὸ σημεῖον ἐπὶ τὰ μέτωπα τῶν ἀνδρῶν τῶν καταστεναζόντων καὶ τῶν κατωδυνωμένων ἐπὶ πάσαις ταῖς ἀνομίαις ταῖς γινομέναις ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς
5. καὶ τούτοις εἶπεν ἀκούοντός μου πορεύεσθε ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ κόπτετε καὶ μὴ φείδεσθε τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν καὶ μὴ ἐλεήσητε
6. πρεσβύτερον καὶ νεανίσκον καὶ παρθένον καὶ νήπια καὶ γυναῖκας ἀποκτείνατε εἰς ἐξάλειψιν ἐπὶ δὲ πάντας ἐφ’ οὕς ἐστιν τὸ σημεῖον μὴ ἐγγίσητε καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁγίων μου ἄρξασθε καὶ ἤρξαντο ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνδρῶν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων οἳ ἦσαν ἔσω ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ
7. καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς μιάνατε τὸν οἶκον καὶ πλήσατε τὰς ὁδοὺς νεκρῶν ἐκπορευόμενοι καὶ κόπτετε
8. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κόπτειν αὐτοὺς καὶ πίπτω ἐπὶ πρόσωπόν μου καὶ ἀνεβόησα καὶ εἶπα οἴμμοι κύριε ἐξαλείφεις σὺ τοὺς καταλοίπους τοῦ Ισραηλ ἐν τῷ ἐκχέαι σε τὸν θυμόν σου ἐπὶ Ιερουσαλημ
9. καὶ εἶπεν πρός με ἀδικία τοῦ οἴκου Ισραηλ καὶ Ιουδα μεμεγάλυνται σφόδρα σφόδρα ὅτι ἐπλήσθη ἡ γῆ λαῶν πολλῶν καὶ ἡ πόλις ἐπλήσθη ἀδικίας καὶ ἀκαθαρσίας ὅτι εἶπαν ἐγκαταλέλοιπεν κύριος τὴν γῆν οὐκ ἐφορᾷ ὁ κύριος
10. καὶ οὐ φείσεταί μου ὁ ὀφθαλμός οὐδὲ μὴ ἐλεήσω τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῶν εἰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν δέδωκα
11. καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ ἐνδεδυκὼς τὸν ποδήρη καὶ ἐζωσμένος τῇ ζώνῃ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπεκρίνατο λέγων πεποίηκα καθὼς ἐνετείλω μοι
Footnotes:
9:1-2 - Ezekiel's vision begins with God's call to punish the sinners in Jerusalem. The number of men wielding instruments of destruction symbolizes the execution of divine judgment, reflecting the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance (see also Revelation 9:15 and Romans 6:23).
9:3-4 - The angel with the ink on his forehead represents the mark of protection of the righteous. This symbolizes God's mercy in preserving the faithful, even in the midst of judgment, and highlights the importance of righteousness and faithfulness to God (see also Revelation 7:3 and 2 Timothy 2:19).
9:5-7 - God's judgment is executed on the wicked without distinction between old, young, women, or children. This reveals that divine judgment is impartial and that all will be held accountable for their actions, highlighting the universality of God's justice (see also Romans 2:6-11 and Matthew 25:31-46).
9:8-10 - Ezekiel intercedes for Jerusalem, asking for mercy. This highlights the role of prophets as intercessors and the hope that God will hear the cry of the righteous, even in times of judgment (see also Jeremiah 18:7-10 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
09:11 - The man with the writing instrument is shown carrying out God's command. This symbolizes the certainty of the fulfillment of God's promises, both of judgment and mercy, and God's authority over all things (see also Revelation 22:12 and Hebrews 9:27-28).
Verses related to Ezequiel, 9:
Ezekiel chapter 9 describes the execution of divine judgment on Jerusalem. How does God distinguish between the faithful and the rebellious? This dramatic text depicts six heavenly executioners and a scribe marking those who groan over the abominations of the city. The chapter emphasizes God's selective justice, sparing the faithful while punishing the idolaters. The severity of the judgment reflects the gravity of Israel's sin. Consider with us five biblical passages that illuminate the principles of divine discernment presented in this powerful chapter.
Revelation 7:3: "Do not harm the land, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we seal the foreheads of the servants of our God.'" - This passage from Revelation echoes the marking of the faithful in Ezekiel 9:4, showing a recurring theme of divine protection in the midst of judgment.
1 Peter 4:17: "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and, if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" - Peter reflects the principle seen in Ezekiel 9, where judgment begins at the house of God.
Jeremiah 25:29: "See! I am bringing misfortune on the city that bears my name, and you will go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling the sword against all the inhabitants of the land, declares the Lord of hosts." - Jeremiah, like Ezekiel, announces a judgment that begins with Jerusalem but extends to everyone.
Amos 3:2: "Of all the families on earth I chose only you; therefore I will punish them for all their wickedness." - Amos expresses the idea that Israel's election implies greater responsibility, a theme underlying the judgment in Ezekiel 9.
Malachi 3:18: "Then you will see again the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not serve Him." - Malachi speaks of the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, reflecting the separation made in Ezekiel 9 between those who are marked and those who are not.
FAQ:
What happens to the righteous in Ezekiel 9?
God sends a man with a stylus to mark the righteous so they will be protected from the destruction that will come upon Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 9:4)
How are the wicked treated in Ezekiel 9?
The wicked are exterminated without mercy as part of divine judgment, while the righteous are spared. (Ezekiel 9:5-7)
What does Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 9 reveal about God's judgment?
The vision shows that God's judgment will be impartial, executing punishment on both the leaders and the people for widespread sin. (Ezekiel 9:10)
How do angels execute judgment in Ezekiel 9?
Angels are sent to kill the wicked and destroy Jerusalem, beginning with the temple, symbolizing the end of disobedience in Israel. (Ezekiel 9:1-6)
What does the mark of the righteous symbolize in Ezekiel 9?
The mark of the righteous symbolizes divine protection and the separation of those who remain faithful to God, even in times of judgment. (Ezekiel 9:4)
