King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 9:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 9:5 in the King James Version says “And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: mine hearing: Heb. mine ears”

Ezekiel 9:5 · KJV

Context

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

5

And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: mine hearing: Heb. mine ears

6

Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. utterly: Heb. to destruction

7

And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.

Read Ezekiel 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands the executioners: "Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity." After marking the righteous, judgment proceeds without mercy on the unmarked. The command "let not your eye spare" repeats divine statements from 7:4, 9, emphasizing unmixed wrath. This selective judgment demonstrates both God's justice (punishing the guilty) and His mercy (preserving the grieved remnant). The vision teaches that living among God's people doesn't guarantee safety—only genuine faith marked by grief over sin provides protection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, indiscriminate slaughter occurred (2 Kings 25:7-21; Lamentations 2:21). Yet some survived through various means. The vision explains this selective survival theologically—God knew and preserved His true people. The command to execute without pity reflects justice's demands when patience is exhausted. For years, prophets warned; now judgment executes without further delay or mercy for the impenitent.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does selective judgment (marking some, destroying others) demonstrate both justice and mercy?
  2. What distinguishes those who receive the protective mark from those who face destruction?
  3. In what ways should this passage create urgency in examining whether we truly grieve over sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וּלְאֵ֙לֶּה֙1 of 12

“And to the others”

H428

these or those

אָמַ֣ר2 of 12

“he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּאָזְנַ֔י3 of 12

“in mine hearing”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

עִבְר֥וּ4 of 12

“Go”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בָעִ֛יר5 of 12

“him through the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אַחֲרָ֖יו6 of 12

“ye after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וְהַכּ֑וּ7 of 12

“and smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

עַל8 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תָּחֹ֥ס9 of 12

“spare”

H2347

properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate

עֵינְכֶ֖ם10 of 12

“let not your eye”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְאַל11 of 12
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּחְמֹֽלוּ׃12 of 12

“neither have ye pity”

H2550

to commiserate; by implication, to spare

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 9:5 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 9:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 5:11Isaiah 5:9Exodus 32:27Ezekiel 8:18Ezekiel 9:10Ezekiel 7:4

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