The Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 9:4

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Set a mark upon the foreheads, etc. The command reminds us of that given to the destroying angel in Exodus 12:13, and has its earlier and later analogues in the mark set upon Cain (Genesis 4:15), and in the "sealing" of the servants of God in Revelation 7:3.

Here, as in the last example, the mark is set, not on the lintels of the doorposts, but upon the "foreheads" of the men. And the mark is the letter tau, in old Hebrew, that of a cross +, and like the "mark" of mediaeval and (in the case of the illiterate) of modern usage, seems to have been used as a signature, and is rightly so translated in the Revised Version of Job 31:35.

More for Ezekiel 9:4

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryMatthew Henry on Ezekiel 9:1-4It is a great comfort to believers, that in the midst of destroyers and destructions, there is a Mediator, a great High Priest, who has an interest in heaven, and in whom saints on earth have an interest. The representa…Matthew Henry commentaryPreparations to Destroy Jerusalem; The Righteous Marked for Salvation. (b. c. 593.)PREPARATIONS TO DESTROY JERUSALEM; THE RIGHTEOUS MARKED FOR SALVATION. (B. C. 593.) In these verses we have, I. The summons given to Jerusalem's destroyers to come forth and give their attendance. He that appeared to th…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 9:1-7Divine discrimination in the execution of judgment. "He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near," etc. In the preceding chapter the various forms of idol…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 9:1-7The hour of judgment. As among men there are magistrates' sessions as well as the great assizes, so also God has seasons for the local administration of justice, as well as the final judgment. In fact, God is always upo…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 9:1-11EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 9:4The mark of spiritual concern. The defection and idolatry already described in the previous chapter could neither be disregarded nor unavenged. A nation that bad enjoyed privileges so conspicuously great as Israel, and…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 9:4The mark upon the forehead. I. THE PENITENT ARE TO HAVE A MARK UPON THEIR FOREHEADS. "The men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations" are to be marked on the forehead by the man with the inkhorn. God looks for…Joseph S. Exell and contributors