9:1 the punishers of The Hebrew expression here can refer to those who administer punishment or vengeance, so “punishers” or “avengers” would be appropriate English equivalents. While the avengers are identified as men in v. 2, their role in carrying out Yahweh’s judgment combined with the visionary backdrop of the scene suggests they might be heavenly beings.

9:2 Six men Those mentioned in v. 1. Ezekiel sees a total of seven men, a significant biblical number indicating completeness.

his weapon for shattering The rare term mappats used here likely indicates some type of war club. “Shattering weapon” is a precise translation.

man was in the midst of them, dressed in linen The seventh figure, whose role is to save, not destroy. Compare Daniel’s description of his angelic guide as a man clothed in linen (Dan 10:5; 12:6–7).

the writing case of the scribe Since Ezekiel’s audience is exiled in Babylonia, the heavenly figure carrying a scribal writing kit likely would have reminded them of the Babylonian god Nabu, the scribe of the gods and the patron god of scribes. Nabu was responsible for recording people’s destinies.

9:4 you must place a mark on the foreheads of The mark was probably the Hebrew letter taw, which in the ancient script was shaped like an X or a plus sign (+).

9:5 ! Your eyes shall not take pity These agents of Yahweh carry out His threat from Ezek 5:11.

9:6 every man with the mark on him you must not approach Only those marked as part of the righteous remnant were to be spared. Compare the adoption of this imagery in Rev 9:4.

they began with the old The first group of idolaters Ezekiel saw in Ezek 8:11 are the first to die.

9:7 Defile the house The temple, which already has been defiled by idolatry, will now be further defiled by dead bodies (see 7:21–22).

9:8 I fell on my face A posture of reverence and fear before making an entreaty to God (compare Ezekiel’s reaction in 1:28 and the similar scene in 11:13).

you be destroying all of the remnant of Ezekiel’s outburst reflects his concern that a remnant be preserved and his fear that the scribe may not find any righteous people to mark.

9:9 The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah God can no longer delay punishment for Israel. His justice requires judgment.

land is filled with bloodguilt See 7:23; compare Isa 1:15.

Yahweh abandoned the land Yahweh repeats the elders’ statement that He had abandoned them and did not see what they were doing.

Yahweh does not see Ironically, He did see and came to punish them for their behavior (see Ezek 8:12).

9:11 all that you commanded me The scribe returns when his mission is complete. There is no indication how many were marked for salvation.