King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 9:2 Mean?

Ezekiel 9:2 in the King James Version says “And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapo... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. which lieth: Heb. which is turned a slaughter: Heb. a weapon of his breaking in pieces by his: Heb. upon his loins

Ezekiel 9:2 · KJV


Context

1

He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.

2

And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. which lieth: Heb. which is turned a slaughter: Heb. a weapon of his breaking in pieces by his: Heb. upon his loins

3

And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;

4

And 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 be done in the midst thereof. set a mark: Heb. mark a mark


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. This vision depicts divine judgment executioners sent to punish Jerusalem idolatry. The six men with weapons represent destroying angels, while the seventh man with inkhorn represents God preservation of a faithful remnant before judgment falls.

Six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north indicates they come from divine throne direction (Ezekiel 1:4 references north as divine origin point). Their entrance through this gate symbolizes they come with divine authority and commission. Every man a slaughter weapon in his hand reveals their purpose—execute judgment on the rebellious city. This is not arbitrary violence but divinely commissioned retribution.

One man among them was clothed with linen distinguishes this figure from the six executioners. Linen garments marked priestly service (Exodus 28:42, Leviticus 6:10), indicating mediatorial role. With a writer inkhorn by his side shows his function: mark the righteous before judgment falls. This figure may be angelic or represent divine mercy function—preserving the faithful remnant.

They went in, and stood beside the brasen altar places them at the center of temple worship, where judgment will begin. From Reformed perspective, this demonstrates God just judgment begins with His own house (1 Peter 4:17), and His grace preserves an elect remnant even in judgment. The linen-clad figure anticipates Christ our great high priest who marks His own with the seal of salvation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This vision employs ancient Near Eastern imagery of divine council and angelic executioners carrying out heavenly decrees. Similar concepts appear in other biblical passages where angels execute divine judgments (2 Samuel 24:16, 2 Kings 19:35, Acts 12:23). The number six (incomplete, lacking seventh day perfection) may symbolize incomplete human number versus divine perfection.

The higher gate toward the north was part of the temple complex, possibly the inner north gate. North held significance in Israelite cosmology as direction from which both invasions and divine manifestations came. The Babylonian army would indeed attack from the north, making this directional symbolism historically appropriate.

The brasen altar was the bronze altar for burnt offerings in the temple outer court, the central location for sacrificial worship. Positioning the executioners there emphasizes judgment begins at the place of sacrifice and worship. Those who corrupted sacred worship face judgment at worship center itself.

The linen-clothed scribe figure recalls the Passover when God marked Israelite homes with blood before executing judgment on Egypt (Exodus 12). This pattern repeats: God marks His own before judgment falls, demonstrating His justice discriminates between righteous and wicked.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does judgment beginning at God house teach about divine holiness and accountability?
  2. How does God marking the faithful before judgment demonstrate His sovereignty in salvation?
  3. In what ways does the linen-clad scribe figure anticipate Christ priestly and mediatorial role?
  4. What is the significance of angels as executioners of divine judgment?
  5. How does this passage refute the notion that God indiscriminately judges?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְהִנֵּ֣ה1 of 27
H2009

lo!

שִׁשָּׁ֣ה2 of 27

And behold six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

וְאִישׁ3 of 27

and every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙4 of 27

and they went in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִדֶּרֶךְ5 of 27

from the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

שַׁ֨עַר6 of 27

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָעֶלְי֜וֹן7 of 27

of the higher

H5945

an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀8 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מָפְנֶ֣ה9 of 27

which lieth

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

צָפ֗וֹנָה10 of 27

toward the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וְאִישׁ11 of 27

and every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כְּלִ֤י12 of 27

weapon

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

מַפָּצוֹ֙13 of 27

a slaughter

H4660

a smiting to pieces

בְּיָד֔וֹ14 of 27

in his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְאִישׁ15 of 27

and every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶחָ֤ד16 of 27

and one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בְּתוֹכָם֙17 of 27

among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

לָבֻ֣שׁ18 of 27

them was clothed

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

בַּדִּ֔ים19 of 27

with linen

H906

flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment

וְקֶ֥סֶת20 of 27

inkhorn

H7083

properly, a cup, i.e., an ink-stand

הַסֹּפֵ֖ר21 of 27

with a writer's

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

בְּמָתְנָ֑יו22 of 27

by his side

H4975

properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙23 of 27

and they went in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיַּ֣עַמְד֔וּ24 of 27

and stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אֵ֖צֶל25 of 27

beside

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

מִזְבַּ֥ח26 of 27

altar

H4196

an altar

הַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת׃27 of 27

the brasen

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 9:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 9:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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