Ezekiel 9:7
And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
Original Language Analysis
טַמְּא֣וּ
unto them Defile
H2930
טַמְּא֣וּ
unto them Defile
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
3 of 13
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבַּ֗יִת
the house
H1004
הַבַּ֗יִת
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וּמַלְא֧וּ
and fill
H4390
וּמַלְא֧וּ
and fill
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
6 of 13
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֲצֵר֛וֹת
the courts
H2691
הַחֲצֵר֛וֹת
the courts
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
8 of 13
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
חֲלָלִ֖ים
with the slain
H2491
חֲלָלִ֖ים
with the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
9 of 13
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
וְיָצְא֖וּ
And they went forth
H3318
וְיָצְא֖וּ
And they went forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְיָצְא֖וּ
And they went forth
H3318
וְיָצְא֖וּ
And they went forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
11 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Historical Context
When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem's temple (586 BC), slaughter occurred in its courts, literally defiling the sacred space with corpses. This fulfilled Ezekiel's vision precisely. The defilement completed what Israel's idolatry began—they defiled it spiritually; God permitted physical defilement as judgment. The temple's destruction shocked the ancient world but vindicated God's holiness—He won't preserve polluted sanctuaries that profane His name.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God permitting temple defilement teach that buildings derive holiness from obedience, not designation?
- What does this reversal (sacred becoming profane) reveal about the seriousness of spiritual defilement?
- In what ways might contemporary churches be spiritually defiled while maintaining outward religious forms?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth." God commands defiling His own temple with corpses—ultimate reversal. The temple meant to be holy becomes charnel house. This demonstrates that when people defile the sanctuary spiritually through idolatry, God completes the defilement physically through judgment. The permission to defile what should be sacred shows that holiness derives from God's presence and obedience, not from architectural designation. Once glory departs (verse 3), the building is merely stone subject to desecration.