King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 9:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 9:6 in the King James Version says “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark;...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 9:6 · KJV

Context

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.

8

And it came to pass, while 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?

Read Ezekiel 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"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." Comprehensive slaughter spares no age or gender except the marked. The command "begin at my sanctuary" demonstrates that judgment starts with God's house (1 Peter 4:17). Those with greatest privilege face first accountability. The temple, center of covenant relationship, becomes ground zero for judgment. This reverses expectations—religious proximity doesn't protect but increases accountability when violated.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's conquest indeed killed across all demographics (Lamentations 2:21). The command to "begin at my sanctuary" found literal fulfillment—the temple was systematically destroyed, priests executed (2 Kings 25:18-21), and sacred vessels looted. Starting judgment at the sanctuary demonstrated that religious formalism without heart righteousness provides no protection. God judges His own house most severely when it harbors the greatest hypocrisy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does judgment beginning at God's sanctuary challenge presumption based on religious proximity?
  2. What does comprehensive judgment (all ages, genders) teach about sin's universal condemnation?
  3. In what ways should church leaders and members examine themselves knowing judgment begins with God's house?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים1 of 23

“at the ancient”

H2205

old

בָּח֣וּר2 of 23

“and young”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

וּבְתוּלָה֩3 of 23

“both maids”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

וְטַ֨ף4 of 23

“and little children”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

וְנָשִׁ֜ים5 of 23

“and women”

H802

a woman

תַּהַרְג֣וּ6 of 23

“Slay”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

לְמַשְׁחִ֗ית7 of 23

“utterly”

H4889

destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)

וְעַל8 of 23
H5921

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

כָּל9 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים10 of 23

“any 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)

אֲשֶׁר11 of 23
H834

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

עָלָ֤יו12 of 23
H5921

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

הַתָּו֙13 of 23

“upon whom is the mark”

H8420

a mark; by implication, a signature

אַל14 of 23
H408

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

תִּגַּ֔שׁוּ15 of 23

“but come not near”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

וּמִמִּקְדָּשִׁ֖י16 of 23

“at my sanctuary”

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙17 of 23

“Then they began”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙18 of 23

“Then they began”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים19 of 23

“any 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)

הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים20 of 23

“at the ancient”

H2205

old

אֲשֶׁ֖ר21 of 23
H834

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

לִפְנֵ֥י22 of 23

“which were before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַבָּֽיִת׃23 of 23

“the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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 9:6 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 9:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 9:4Exodus 12:23Jeremiah 25:292 Timothy 2:191 Peter 4:17-18Revelation 7:3

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