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The Lord said to him, “Go through the city of Jerusalem[a] and put a mark[b] on the foreheads of the people who moan and groan over all the abominations practiced in it.”

While I listened, he said to the others,[c] “Go through the city after him and strike people down; do not let your eye pity nor spare[d] anyone! Old men, young men, young women, little children, and women—wipe them out! But do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary!” So they began with the elders who were at the front of the temple.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 9:4 tn Heb “through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem.”
  2. Ezekiel 9:4 tn The word translated “mark” is in Hebrew the letter ת (tav). Outside this context the only other occurrence of the word is in Job 31:35. In ancient Hebrew script this letter was written like the letter X.sn For a similar concept in the Bible, see Rev 7:2-4; 13:16; 14:9, 11; 20:4; 22:4.
  3. Ezekiel 9:5 tn Heb “to these he said in my ears.”
  4. Ezekiel 9:5 tn The meaning of the Hebrew term is primarily emotional: “to pity,” which in context implies an action, as in being moved by pity in order to spare them from the horror of their punishment.

and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem(A) and put a mark(B) on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament(C) over all the detestable things that are done in it.(D)

As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity(E) or compassion.(F) Slaughter(G) the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children,(H) but do not touch anyone who has the mark.(I) Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men(J) who were in front of the temple.(K)

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