Eze 9:2 | NET2full | STEP | Next I noticed six men coming from the direction of the upper gate that faces north , each with his war club in his hand . Among them was a man dressed in linen with a writing kit at his side . They came and stood beside the bronze altar .

‏ Ezekiel 9:2

2 Next I noticed ^{▼▼tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.} six men ^{▼▼sn The six men plus the scribe would equal seven, which was believed by the Babylonians to be the number of planetary deities.} coming from the direction of the upper gate ^{▼▼sn The upper gate was built by Jotham (2 Kgs 15:35).} that faces north, each with his war club in his hand. Among them was a man dressed in linen with a writing kit ^{▼▼tn Or “a scribe’s inkhorn.” The Hebrew term occurs in the OT only in Ezek 9 and is believed to be an Egyptian loanword.} at his side. They came and stood beside the bronze altar.