Ezekiel 9:5
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:
Original Language Analysis
בְּאָזְנַ֔י
in mine hearing
H241
בְּאָזְנַ֔י
in mine hearing
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
3 of 12
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
עִבְר֥וּ
Go
H5674
עִבְר֥וּ
Go
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 12
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בָעִ֛יר
him through the city
H5892
בָעִ֛יר
him through the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
5 of 12
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אַחֲרָ֖יו
ye after
H310
אַחֲרָ֖יו
ye after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְהַכּ֑וּ
and smite
H5221
וְהַכּ֑וּ
and smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
7 of 12
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תָּחֹ֥ס
spare
H2347
תָּחֹ֥ס
spare
Strong's:
H2347
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
עֵינְכֶ֖ם
let not your eye
H5869
עֵינְכֶ֖ם
let not your eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
10 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does selective judgment (marking some, destroying others) demonstrate both justice and mercy?
- What distinguishes those who receive the protective mark from those who face destruction?
- In what ways should this passage create urgency in examining whether we truly grieve over sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.