Ezekiel 9:4
And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Study Note
Study Note
God commands his messenger to mark on the foreheads those who 'sigh and groan' over Jerusalem's abominations, distinguishing them from those who will face destruction. The Hebrew 'tav' (the mark) is the final letter of the alphabet, and in archaic script was shaped like a cross — a detail noted by Origen and Tertullian as anticipating the Christian sign of salvation. The scene inverts Passover logic: instead of blood on the doorposts, an inward grief marks those who are spared. Revelation 7:3 and 9:4 directly echo this passage in describing the sealing of God's servants before judgment, making Ezekiel 9 a foundational text for apocalyptic literature.
Other Translations
And Jehovah said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof.
And He calleth unto the man who is clothed with linen, who hath the scribe's inkhorn at his loins, and Jehovah saith unto him, `Pass on into the midst of the city, into the midst of Jerusalem, and thou hast made a mark on the foreheads of the men who are sighing and who are groaning for all the abominations that are done in its midst.'
The Lord said to him, Go through the town, through the middle of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the brows of the men who are sorrowing and crying for all the disgusting things which are done in it.
Cross References
And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door …
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see …
Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of …
Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against …
Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and …
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high …
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye …
Thus saith the Lord God; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the …