Ezekiel 9 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

He — The man whom he had seen upon the throne. Them — Those whom God hath appointed to destroy the city: perhaps angels. Every man — Every one; 'tis an Hebrew idiom. Each of these had a weapon proper for that kind of destruction which he was to effect; and so, some to slay with the sword, another with the pestilence, another with famine. In his hand — Denoting both expedition in, and strength for the work.

And — As soon as the command was given, the ministers of God's displeasure appear. Men — In appearance and vision they were men, and the prophet calls them as he saw them. The north — Insinuating whence their destruction should come. One man — Not a companion, but as one of authority over them. With linen — A garment proper to the priesthood. They — All the seven.

The glory — The glorious brightness, such as sometimes appeared above the cherubim in the most holy place. Gone up — Departing from the place he had so long dwelt in. He was — Wont to sit and appear. Threshold — Of the temple, in token of his sudden departure from the Jews, because of their sins.

That sigh — Out of grief for other mens sins and sorrows. Cry — Who dare openly bewail the abominations of this wicked city, and so bear their testimony against it.

The others — The six slaughter — men.

At my sanctuary — There are the great sinners, and the abominable sins which have brought this on them.

And slew — The slaughter also was in vision.

Was left — Left alone, now both the sealer, and the slayers were gone.