Ezekiel 22 2

Ezekiel 22:2 kjv

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

Ezekiel 22:2 nkjv

"Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations!

Ezekiel 22:2 niv

"Son of man, will you judge her? Will you judge this city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her detestable practices

Ezekiel 22:2 esv

"And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then declare to her all her abominations.

Ezekiel 22:2 nlt

"Son of man, are you ready to judge Jerusalem? Are you ready to judge this city of murderers? Publicly denounce her detestable sins,

Ezekiel 22 verses

Ezekiel 22 2 Meaning

The Lord instructs Ezekiel to act as a judge and prosecutor, declaring a divine verdict against Jerusalem, referred to as "the bloodthirsty city." The prophet is commanded to expose thoroughly all her detestable practices and sins, thereby justifying the impending judgment from God. It highlights the city's pervasive guilt, marked by widespread violence, injustice, and spiritual defilement.

Ezekiel 22 2 Context

Ezekiel 22 opens with the explicit declaration of God's intent to bring judgment upon Jerusalem. Chapter 21 had foreshadowed a sharpening sword of the Lord coming upon the land, while chapters 20-23 outline Israel's history of rebellion and God's unwavering response. Ezekiel 22 specifically presents a detailed catalog of Jerusalem's sins. Verse 2 functions as the preamble to this indictment, directly commanding the prophet to serve as the divine accuser. It sets a solemn, confrontational tone, initiating a direct and specific condemnation of the city for its spiritual and moral corruption before listing the numerous offenses that justify its impending destruction and exile. The historical context is the eve of Jerusalem's final destruction by Babylon (586 BC), with a large portion of its population already in exile, including Ezekiel. The city's inhabitants, still living amidst its corrupting influences, cling to a false sense of security, believing God would protect His temple and city. This verse serves to shatter that illusion by unveiling the depths of their depravity.

Ezekiel 22 2 Word analysis

• Now, son of man (וְאַתָּ֤ה בֶן־אָדָם֙ - wə'attāh ben-'ādām):

  • And you, son of man: This is a recurring phrase unique to Ezekiel (over 90 times), highlighting Ezekiel's humanity and frailty while also distinguishing him as God's chosen messenger and representative. He is merely a human entrusted with a divine message.
  • Significance: It grounds the prophetic utterance in a human voice, yet one specifically empowered and commissioned by God.

• will you judge (הֲתִשְׁפּוֹט֙ - hā-tishpōṭ):

  • You judge/Will you pronounce judgment: The Hebrew verb shaphat (שָׁפַט) means to judge, govern, or render a verdict. Here, it is a rhetorical question that functions as an emphatic command or instruction.
  • Significance: Ezekiel is not just predicting judgment; he is participating in the divine judicial process, declaring God's sentence. This isn't personal opinion but God's authoritative verdict through His prophet.

• the bloodthirsty city (עִיר֙ הַדָּמִים֙ - 'īr ha-dāmîm):

  • City of bloods: The Hebrew dāmîm (דָּמִים) is plural, emphasizing the multiplicity, abundance, and various forms of bloodshed. It encompasses not just literal murder, but also innocent blood spilled through injustice, oppression, and false worship, possibly including child sacrifice (later mentioned in the chapter).
  • Significance: This is a chilling descriptor. It characterizes Jerusalem not just as a place where violence occurs, but where violence, injustice, and innocent bloodshed are integral to its identity and functioning. This strong imagery evokes deep moral revulsion and grave spiritual defilement.

• Then make her know (וְהוֹדַעְתָּ֣ - wə-hôdaʿtā):

  • You shall make her know/declare to her: The verb yada' (יָדַע) in the Hifil (causative) stem means "to cause to know, make known, declare, instruct." It signifies an unveiling, an exposure.
  • Significance: It's not a secret pronouncement but a public declaration designed to reveal the full extent of their guilt. This act serves multiple purposes: justification of God's impending judgment, a final call to repentance, and a record of their persistent rebellion.

• all her abominations (אֵ֣ת כָּל־תֹּועֲבֹתֶֽיהָ - 'ēt kol-tôʿăḇōtehā):

  • All her detestable things/abhorrent practices: The Hebrew to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה) refers to something morally or ritually repulsive to God. It frequently denotes idolatry, sexual perversions, and other pagan practices. The quantifier "all" (כָּל kol) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of her sin.
  • Significance: This is a collective term for the many grievous sins—idolatry, social injustice, bloodshed—that made Jerusalem utterly defiled in God's sight. These are not minor transgressions but deeply offensive acts that violate God's covenant and holiness. The sheer number of such sins indicates a total moral and spiritual collapse.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Now, son of man, will you judge...": This opening establishes a confrontational courtroom scene. God is the ultimate judge, but Ezekiel is His delegated prosecutor and pronouncer of verdict. The rhetorical question functions as a forceful divine mandate, emphasizing the prophet's obedience and the undeniable reality of Jerusalem's guilt.
  • "...the bloodthirsty city? Then make her know all her abominations!": This two-part command frames the core message. First, Jerusalem's identity is defined by her guilt ("city of bloods"), making the judgment justified. Second, the prophet's duty is to strip away any pretense or ignorance, bringing her entire catalog of sin into the harsh light of divine truth. It's a comprehensive indictment that prepares the way for specific charges and inevitable punishment. The direct link between widespread violence and comprehensive spiritual/moral defilement (to'evah) highlights the total corruption of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 22 2 Bonus section

• The term "city of bloods" ('īr ha-dāmîm) is a legal metaphor that would have resonated deeply with an ancient audience, denoting a place utterly steeped in unexpiated guilt. Blood not atoned for cries out for divine justice (Gen 4:10). This connects Jerusalem to the profound concept of communal bloodguilt that necessitates divine intervention to cleanse the land.
• Ezekiel's role as judge is similar to a legal prosecutor presenting charges, highlighting God's commitment to justice even for His chosen people. The "judge" here isn't one who finds fault for the sake of it, but one who reveals what already exists, bringing light to hidden darkness.
• The phrase "make her know" implies that Jerusalem, though presumably aware of her deeds, either denied them, downplayed them, or had become so morally numb that a direct divine confrontation was necessary to awaken her conscience, even if too late for reprieve. This act served as a witness to both the exiles and the remaining inhabitants, and to surrounding nations.
• The repetitive nature of such charges across prophetic books (e.g., Isa 1, Jer 7, Mic 3) indicates not just isolated incidents, but a consistent, ingrained pattern of apostasy and injustice within Jerusalem over generations. This accumulation of sin is what reaches its peak in Ezekiel's day.

Ezekiel 22 2 Commentary

Ezekiel 22:2 encapsulates a critical turning point in the prophet's ministry and God's dealings with Judah. God directly commissions Ezekiel to execute a judicial charge against Jerusalem. By labeling it "the bloodthirsty city," God indicts its fundamental character as defined by violence, social injustice, and the shedding of innocent blood. This designation reflects both literal acts of murder and the systemic oppression that led to human suffering and death, an anathema to a holy God who values justice and human life. The command to "make her know all her abominations" underscores the severity and pervasiveness of Jerusalem's sins. This revelation serves not just as an accusation but as a divine justification for the coming judgment. God, through His prophet, meticulously lays out the city's rebellion to silence any argument against His righteous punitive action. The city, intended to be a light to the nations, had become utterly defiled through its embrace of idolatry, ritual impurity, and a complete disregard for ethical justice. This exposure is both an act of final warning and a public record of their willful descent into depravity, demonstrating that God’s judgment is neither arbitrary nor sudden, but a just response to persistent, unrepentant wickedness.