Ezekiel 9:2
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 brazen altar.
Ezekiel 9:2 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Ezekiel, six men approach a gate from the north, each carrying a weapon of slaughter. Among them is a seventh man clothed in linen with a writer's inkhorn by his side. The men enter and stand beside the brazen altar. This scene is symbolic and illustrates a powerful message. The six men represent agents of divine judgment, prepared to execute God's will. The man in linen, with the inkhorn, signifies a scribe marking those who will be spared or judged. The brazen altar, a place of sacrifice, symbolizes the importance of atonement and repentance. This verse serves as a reminder of God's justice and mercy, reminding readers that God sees all actions and will ultimately judge accordingly. It also emphasizes the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness. Overall, this verse conveys a message of accountability and the consequence of one's actions in the eyes of God.
Theological Overview
The verse from Ezekiel 9:2 describes a vision in which six men approach the temple, each carrying a deadly weapon. One of the men, dressed in linen and carrying an inkhorn, stands out among the group. This man is believed to be an angel sent by God to mark the foreheads of those who mourned over the sin and corruption in the city. The linen clothing symbolizes purity and righteousness, while the inkhorn represents recording and judgment. The men coming with slaughter weapons suggest swift and severe punishment for the wicked. This passage highlights the themes of judgment, righteousness, and protection found throughout the book of Ezekiel. The imagery here serves as a reminder that God sees and remembers the faithful, even in times of great distress and chaos.
Ezekiel 9:2 in other translations
American Standard Version
And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. And they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.
World English Bible
Behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in their midst clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar.
Douay-Rheims
And behold six men came from the way of the upper gate, which looketh to the north: and each one had his weapon of destruction in his hand: and there was one man in the midst of them clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn at his reins: and they went in, and stood by the brazen altar.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And beholde, sixe men came by the way of the hie gate, which lieth towarde the North, and euery man a weapon in his hande to destroy it: and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writers ynkhorne by his side, and they went in and stoode beside the brasen altar.