The Divine Judgment (9:1-11:13). 

            Chs. 9 and 10, and possibly even 11:13, are symbolically prophetic, for the rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar had not even broken out yet. The instruments of judgment are obviously angels, though always called men. That the apostasy was not universal is shown by the marking of the faithful on their foreheads (9:4). The Hebrew for “mark” is tav, the name of the last letter of the alphabet, which in the old script was a cross.

        Then follows the slaying of the unmarked (9:5-11), which the intercession of the prophet is powerless to avert. God makes it clear that it is not so mucn the idolatry that brings the judgment, as the social iniquity, bloodshed and wresting of judgment (9:9, R.V.), based on the belief that Nebu­chadnezzar’s success meant that Jehovah had forsaken the land (R.V. mg,). Then the coals of divine wrath from the altar on the chariot-throne of God are scattered on the doomed city (ch. 10), though the prophet does not see their effect.

        Special judgment is pronounced on the men who were plotting rebellion against Babylon, and the death of one of them (almost certainly real, not symbolic) prefigures the fate of all (11:1-13). They were daring and cynical men, with their metaphor “this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.” They meant that though their course of action would make things hot for them, the fortifications of the city would save them from the flames of destruction. God tells them that the only flesh left in the city will be corpses; they themselves will be dragged out and executed by the Chaldeans.