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Ezekiel 9:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 9:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, while they were smiting, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord Jehovah! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy wrath upon Jerusalem?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, while they were smiting, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord Jehovah! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy wrath upon Jerusalem?
Ezekiel 9:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And to the others he said in my hearing, Go ye through the city after him, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity;
6slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark: and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the old men that were before the house.
7And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and smote in the city.
8And it came to pass, while they were smiting, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord Jehovah! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy wrath upon Jerusalem?
9Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of wrestling [of judgment]: for they say, Jehovah hath forsaken the land, and Jehovah seeth not.
10And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way upon their head.
11And behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, &c.] That were in the city: and I was left; in the temple; and the only one that was left there, the rest were slain; for there were none marked in the temple, only in the city, (<260904>Ezekiel 9:4); that I fell upon my face; as a supplicant, with great humility: and cried, and said; being greatly distressed with this awful providence: ah, Lord God! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel; the ten tribes had been carried captive before; there only remained the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and these were now threatened with an utter destruction: in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? shown in the destruction of men, both in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I was left--literally "there was left I." So universal seemed the slaughter that Ezekiel thought himself the only one left [CALVIN]. He was the only one left of the priests "in the sanctuary." fell upon my face--to intercede for his countrymen (so Num 16:22). all the residue--a plea drawn from God's covenant promise to save the elect remnant.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Left - The prophet was left alone, all who had been around him were slain. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Ezekiel 9". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/ezekiel-9.html. 1870. StudyLight.org &copy;&#160;2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Was left - Left alone, now both the sealer, and the slayers were gone. Next: Ezekiel Chapter 10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:8 Ezekiel feared that he might be the only person left after the Lord expressed his fury.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that I: Num 14:5, Num 16:4, Num 16:21, Num 16:22, Num 16:45; Deu 9:18; Jos 7:6; Ch1 21:16; Ezr 9:5 Ah: Eze 4:14, Eze 11:13; Gen 18:23; Jer 4:10, Jer 14:13, Jer 14:19; Amo 7:2-5 Ezekiel 9:9”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Intercession of the Prophet, and the Answer of the Lord Eze 9:8. And it came to pass when they smote and I remained, I fell upon my face, and carried, and said: Alas! Lord Jehovah, wilt Thou destroy all the remnant of Israel, by pouring out Thy wrath upon Jerusalem? Eze 9:9. And He said to me: The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is immeasurably great, and the land is full of blood-guiltiness, and the city full of perversion; for they say Jehovah hath forsaken the land, and Jehovah seeth not. Eze 9:10. So also shall my eye not look with pity, and I will not spare; I will give their way upon their head. Eze 9:11. And, behold, the man clothed in white linen, who had the writing…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification