Ezekiel 9:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲבֹר֙
unto him Go through
H5674
עֲבֹר֙
unto him Go through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 20
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃
in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
5 of 20
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הָעִ֔יר
of the city
H5892
הָעִ֔יר
of the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃
in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
7 of 20
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
8 of 20
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְהִתְוִ֨יתָ
and set
H8427
וְהִתְוִ֨יתָ
and set
Strong's:
H8427
Word #:
9 of 20
to mark out, i.e., (primitive) scratch or (definite) imprint
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
of the men
H582
הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
of the men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַתּ֣וֹעֵב֔וֹת
for all the abominations
H8441
הַתּ֣וֹעֵב֔וֹת
for all the abominations
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
Cross References
Revelation 9:4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.2 Corinthians 1:22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.Revelation 14:1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.Revelation 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.Psalms 119:136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.Jeremiah 13:17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.Exodus 12:13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.Psalms 119:53Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Historical Context
The mark distinguished genuine believers from mere temple-attenders. Many Israelites participated in idolatry (Ezekiel 8); only the grieved remnant qualified for protection. When Babylon conquered Jerusalem, some Jews survived through various means—Babylonian protection (Jeremiah 39:11-14), hiding, or providential preservation. The vision explains this selective survival as divine protection of the marked remnant. Post-exilic community emerged from these preserved few who mourned sin rather than tolerating it.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sighing and crying over abominations distinguish genuine faith from cultural religion?
- What does the protective mark teach about God's knowledge and preservation of His true people?
- In what ways should believers today grieve over cultural and ecclesial sin rather than becoming desensitized?
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Before judgment, God commands marking the righteous remnant. The Hebrew tav (תָּו, "mark") was the last letter of the alphabet, shaped like X or +, signifying ownership and protection. Those who "sigh and cry" (ne'enachim vene'anaqim, נֶאֱנָחִים וְנֶאֱנָקִים) over sin's abominations receive this protective mark. This foreshadows Revelation 7:3-4 where God's servants are sealed before judgment falls. True believers grieve over cultural and personal sin rather than celebrating or ignoring it.