Ezekiel 9:4

9:4 The Lord said to him, “Go through the city of Jerusalem ¹  and put a mark ²  on the foreheads of the people who moan and groan over all the abominations practiced in it.”

Ezekiel 21:7

21:7 When they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you will reply, ‘Because of the report that has come. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand will be limp; everyone ³  will faint and every knee will be wet with urine.’ ⁴  Pay attention – it is coming and it will happen, declares the sovereign Lord.”

¹ tn Heb “through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem.”

² tn The word translated “mark” is in Hebrew the letter ת (tav). Outside this context the only other occurrence of the word is in Job 31:35. In ancient Hebrew script this letter was written like the letter X.

³ tn Heb “every spirit will be dim.”

⁴ sn This expression depicts in a very vivid way how they will be overcome with fear. See the note on the same phrase in 7:17.