Ezekiel 9:6
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.
Original Language Analysis
בָּח֣וּר
and young
H970
בָּח֣וּר
and young
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
וּבְתוּלָה֩
both maids
H1330
וּבְתוּלָה֩
both maids
Strong's:
H1330
Word #:
3 of 23
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
וְטַ֨ף
and little children
H2945
וְטַ֨ף
and little children
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
4 of 23
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
לְמַשְׁחִ֗ית
utterly
H4889
לְמַשְׁחִ֗ית
utterly
Strong's:
H4889
Word #:
7 of 23
destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 23
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 #:
9 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
any man
H376
בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
any man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 23
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)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלָ֤יו
H5921
עָלָ֤יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
14 of 23
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּגַּ֔שׁוּ
but come not near
H5066
תִּגַּ֔שׁוּ
but come not near
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
15 of 23
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
וּמִמִּקְדָּשִׁ֖י
at my sanctuary
H4720
וּמִמִּקְדָּשִׁ֖י
at my sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
16 of 23
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙
Then they began
H2490
וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙
Then they began
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
17 of 23
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
וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙
Then they began
H2490
וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙
Then they began
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
18 of 23
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
בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
any man
H376
בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
any man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 23
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)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
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.Exodus 12:23For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.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.Revelation 7:3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.Jeremiah 25:29For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.Luke 12:47And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.2 Chronicles 36:17Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does judgment beginning at God's sanctuary challenge presumption based on religious proximity?
- What does comprehensive judgment (all ages, genders) teach about sin's universal condemnation?
- In what ways should church leaders and members examine themselves knowing judgment begins with God's house?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.