Ezekiel 22 13

Ezekiel 22:13 kjv

Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.

Ezekiel 22:13 nkjv

"Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst.

Ezekiel 22:13 niv

"?'I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made and at the blood you have shed in your midst.

Ezekiel 22:13 esv

"Behold, I strike my hand at the dishonest gain that you have made, and at the blood that has been in your midst.

Ezekiel 22:13 nlt

"But now I clap my hands in indignation over your dishonest gain and bloodshed.

Ezekiel 22 verses

Ezekiel 22 13 Meaning

Ezekiel 22:13 expresses God's emphatic declaration of judgment against Jerusalem. It states that the Divine will decisively act to punish the city for its widespread dishonest financial practices and the prevalent violence and bloodshed within its midst. God's "striking of the hand" signifies a final, resolute act of wrath and impending consequence for these grievous sins that permeated the society.

Ezekiel 22 13 Context

Ezekiel chapter 22 is a lamentation and a prophetic indictment against Jerusalem, often referred to as "the bloody city." The chapter systematically lists the abominations committed by its inhabitants and leaders, revealing the deep-seated corruption at every level of society: from princes who shed blood to priests who violate God's law, and prophets who mislead. This chapter follows a theme of warning and judgment, underscoring the spiritual bankruptcy and moral depravity that pervaded Judah just prior to its destruction and exile by Babylon. Verse 13 acts as a climax to the long list of specific sins enumerated in the preceding verses (22:6-12), signaling God's resolute decision to intervene and punish these collective transgressions. The historical context is pre-exilic Judah, where social injustice, idolatry, and moral decay were rampant, provoking God's just wrath.

Ezekiel 22 13 Word analysis

• Behold: (Hebrew: hinneh, הִנֵּה) - An interjection that demands attention, often introducing something sudden, important, or a solemn declaration. It emphasizes the certainty and gravity of God's forthcoming action, compelling the audience to recognize the pronouncement.
• therefore: (Hebrew: lākēn, לָכֵן) - A consequential conjunction, meaning "for this reason" or "thus." It establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that God's actions are a logical and necessary response to the litany of sins detailed earlier in the chapter (Ezek 22:1-12). It underscores divine justice.
• I strike My hand: (Hebrew: wə·khīt-tî yadī, וְכִתִּי יָדִי) - This is an anthropomorphism expressing divine anger and decisive, forceful action. "Striking the hand" is an idiom for God taking firm action, often signifying punishment or destruction, analogous to a human act of clapping hands together in indignation or striking to declare finality. It conveys a strong sense of irreversible judgment, the culmination of divine patience.
• at the dishonest gain: (Hebrew: ʾel biṣʿēḵ, אֶל־בִּצְעֵךְ) - The word betza (בֶּצַע) refers specifically to ill-gotten gain, profit acquired through violent means, fraud, exploitation, bribery, or oppression. It encompasses avarice and all forms of corrupt enrichment, often at the expense of the vulnerable. It's a polemic against the pervasive economic injustices of Jerusalem's society where greed overshadowed righteousness.
• which you have acquired: (Hebrew: ʾăšer ‘āśîṯ, אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתְ) - Literally "which you have made" or "done." This phrase directly links the dishonest gain to the city's active participation and culpability. It emphasizes that these ill-gotten gains were not accidental but the direct result of intentional actions by the people and leaders of Jerusalem.
• and at the bloodshed: (Hebrew: wəʾel-dām, וְאֶל־דָּם) - The word dam (דָּם) universally means "blood," but in this context, "bloodshed" denotes illegal killing, murder, or violence leading to death, often innocent blood spilled due to injustice, oppression, or personal vendettas. It's a grave sin that pollutes the land (Num 35:33). This is juxtaposed with dishonest gain, illustrating how economic exploitation often culminates in violence.
• which has been in your midst: (Hebrew: ʾăšer hāyāh bəqirbēḵ, אֲשֶׁר הָיָה בְקִרְבֵּךְ) - This phrase highlights the pervasive nature of these sins. "In your midst" (bəqirbēkh) implies that these transgressions were not isolated incidents by a few individuals, but were deeply entrenched, widespread, and commonplace throughout the society, touching every segment and corner of Jerusalem.

Words-group analysis:

• Behold, therefore, I strike My hand: This forceful opening establishes God's definitive response to the preceding enumeration of sins. It communicates both the certainty and the powerful, deliberate nature of the impending divine judgment, connecting human action directly to divine consequence.
• at the dishonest gain... and at the bloodshed: These two central categories summarize the moral decay. They represent the intertwined nature of covetousness leading to exploitation and oppression, which in turn leads to violence, injustice, and even murder. God is condemning both the greed that drives such actions and the violent outcomes.
• which you have acquired, and... which has been in your midst: This coupling underscores the deep culpability of Jerusalem. The phrase emphasizes the active, intentional commission of these sins ("acquired") and their deep integration into the social fabric ("in your midst"), indicating systemic corruption rather than isolated moral failings.

Ezekiel 22 13 Bonus section

The Hebrew idiom "striking My hand" is more intense than a mere gesture; it implies a decisive, often punitive action, reflecting God's righteous indignation rather than surprise or exasperation. It aligns with God's nature as an active judge who intervenes directly in human affairs. The betza (dishonest gain) targeted here is a violation of the Mosaic Law, which prohibited exploitation (Lev 25:35-37) and emphasized righteous dealings. The "bloodshed" encompasses not just physical murder but also judicial murders where justice is perverted for profit, making the innocent suffer. This verse serves as a reminder that God's standards extend to every aspect of human conduct, particularly regarding how economic power is wielded and how human life is valued within a community. It forms a powerful ethical critique relevant to any society.

Ezekiel 22 13 Commentary

Ezekiel 22:13 is a declaration of divine reckoning. Following an extensive catalog of sins by Jerusalem's people and leaders, God proclaims a decisive and immediate judgment. The "striking of the hand" is a vivid metaphor for God's utter exasperation and his commitment to action, signaling that divine patience has reached its limit and the time for consequences has arrived. The specific objects of this judgment are "dishonest gain" and "bloodshed." This pairing is crucial, as the prophets often linked economic injustice—gained through corruption, extortion, and exploitation—to the violence and even murder that inevitably follows from a society that disregards human dignity for profit. God's holiness demands that such profound ethical violations be addressed. This verse therefore does not just accuse but pronounces sentence, explaining why the coming judgment of exile is just and necessary. It highlights God's zero tolerance for societies built upon systemic greed and violence.

• Practical example: When societal structures enable the powerful to exploit the weak for wealth, and when the sanctity of human life is diminished in the pursuit of power or gain, it inevitably provokes divine judgment. This can manifest in the crumbling of institutions or social upheaval, much like the impending fall of Jerusalem.