Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God sends six men to divide the people into two groups: those who decry idolatry will live and those who do not will die.
II. Photo
God orders one of the men to mark the pious people: “And the Lord said to him, ‘Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who moan and groan because of all the abominations that are committed in it.’” (v. 4)
III. Important Verses
3-6: Now the Presence of the God of Israel had moved from the cherub on which it had rested to the platform of the House. He called to the man clothed in linen with the writing case at his waist; and the LORD said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who moan and groan because of all the abominations that are committed in it.” To the others He said in my hearing, “Follow him through the city and strike; show no pity or compassion. Kill off graybeard, youth and maiden, women and children; but do not touch any person who bears the mark. Begin here at My Sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were in front of the House.
8-10: When they were out killing, and I remained alone, I flung myself on my face and cried out, “Ah, Lord GOD! Are you going to annihilate all that is left of Israel, pouring out Your fury upon Jerusalem?” He answered me, “The iniquity of the Houses of Judah and Israel is very very great, the land is full of crime and the city is full of corruption. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see.’ I, in turn, will show no pity or compassion; I will give them their deserts.”
IV. Outline
1-2. God summons six men
3-4. God tells one man to mark those who mourn for Jerusalem
5-7. God sends the others to kill the rest of the people
8-10. Ezekiel is unable to change God’s mind
11. The first man returns
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Allen, Leslie C. “Ezekiel 1-19” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 28 (Waco, Texas: Wordbook, 1994).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Hals, Ronald M. “Ezekiel” The forms of the Old Testament Literature vol. 19 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1989)
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