# standing between earth and heaven

This is symbolic language to indicate that the angel was sent from Yahweh in heaven to judge the people on the earth. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-symlanguage]])

# having a drawn sword in his hand raised over Jerusalem

The angel holding a sword in his hand is a symbolic action that shows he is ready to attack Jerusalem. This is symbolic, because the judgment was sickness. Alternate translation: "holding a sword in his hand as if ready to attack Jerusalem" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction]])

# clothed in sackcloth, lay facedown on the ground

These were symbols of repentance. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction]])