Ezekiel 22:27 kjv
Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
Ezekiel 22:27 nkjv
Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.
Ezekiel 22:27 niv
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.
Ezekiel 22:27 esv
Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.
Ezekiel 22:27 nlt
Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people's lives for money!
Ezekiel 22 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 22:27 | "Her princes in her midst are like wolves ravening the prey; to shed blood... | Condemnation of corrupt leadership and exploitation |
| Micah 3:2-3 | "Who hate the good and love the evil... who also eat My people's flesh... | Parallel denunciation of predatory rulers. |
| Jeremiah 5:26-27 | "Iniquities have turned away the good things, and chastisements have turned away... | Societal decay and consequences of sin. |
| Zephaniah 3:3-4 | "Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves... | Similar imagery of predatory leaders. |
| Matthew 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly... | Warning against deceptive leaders. |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "For I know this, that after my departing grievous wolves will enter in among... | Paul's warning about destructive false teachers within the church. |
| Psalm 14:4 | Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up My people as they eat bread... | God's knowledge of the wicked who exploit His people. |
| Isaiah 1:23 | "Your rulers are rebellious and companions of thieves; every one loves bribes... | Description of corrupt leadership in Judah. |
| Lamentations 4:13 | "Because of the sin of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed... | Lament over the spiritual and moral failures of Jerusalem's leaders. |
| Hosea 4:1-2 | "Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy... | Accusation of lying, killing, stealing, and adultery leading to judgment. |
| Amos 5:10-12 | "They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks... | Condemnation of social injustice and oppression. |
| Matthew 23:13-15 | "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of... | Jesus denounces the hypocrisy and harmful teachings of religious leaders. |
| Luke 11:46 | "And He said, 'Woe to you also, lawyers! For you burden men with burdens hard to... | Jesus condemns those who create heavy religious burdens. |
| John 10:10 | "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come... | Contrast between Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and destructive forces. |
| Romans 3:10-18 | "As it is written: 'There is no righteous person, no, not one; there is no one... | Universal sinfulness and the need for God's intervention. |
| Galatians 5:19-21 | "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,... | Listing of sins that include exploitation and violence. |
| 1 Peter 5:2-3 | "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, watching over it not by compulsion but... | Exhortation to leaders to shepherd the flock willingly and not greedily. |
| Revelation 18:7-8 | "In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure... | Judgment upon a corrupt and idolatrous city (symbolic of Babylon). |
| Ezekiel 7:23-27 | "Prepare the chain, for the land is full of the guilt of bloodshed and the city is... | Ezekiel prophesies judgment due to violence and corruption. |
| Habakkuk 2:6-8 | "Shall not all these take up a proverb against him, a mocker, a taunt of regions? ... | God's judgment on those who accrue wealth through injustice. |
Ezekiel 22 verses
Ezekiel 22 27 Meaning
This verse from Ezekiel vividly describes the profound corruption and injustice prevalent in Jerusalem. It highlights the greed and exploitation by its leaders, specifically princes, priests, and prophets, who profit from the blood and suffering of the innocent and the vulnerable. This pervasive sinfulness ultimately sealed the city's fate, leading to its judgment and destruction as prophesied by Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 22 27 Context
Ezekiel chapter 22 describes the gross corruption and wickedness of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The prophecy comes during Ezekiel's exile in Babylon, as Jerusalem faces imminent destruction. The chapter serves as a final indictment against the city's sinfulness before judgment falls. Verse 27 specifically focuses on the leadership—princes, priests, and prophets—accused of predatory behavior and exploiting the vulnerable. This deep-seated moral and spiritual decay is presented as the primary reason for the impending divine judgment. The context emphasizes that the very people entrusted with spiritual and political guidance have become the instruments of oppression, leading the nation further into sin.
Ezekiel 22 27 Word Analysis
- Her princes: (Hebrew: סָרֵי, sarai) - Refers to the rulers, nobles, or chief men of the city. These individuals held positions of authority and power, making their corruption particularly egregious.
- in the midst of her: - Indicates their active participation and central role within Jerusalem. They were not detached observers but were deeply involved in the city's transgressions.
- are like wolves: (Hebrew: כְּזֹאֲבִים, kezo'avim) - A strong simile drawing a parallel between the princes and predatory, dangerous animals known for their ferocity and self-serving predation. This imagery highlights their cruel, destructive nature.
- ravening the prey: (Hebrew: טֹרְפֵי, torfei) - Means to tear, devour, or seize violently. It emphasizes the rapacious and violent manner in which these leaders took what was not rightfully theirs, exploiting the weak and helpless.
- to shed blood: (Hebrew: לִשְׁפָּךְ דָּם, lishpokh dam) - Directly states the act of murder. The princes were complicit in or directly responsible for shedding innocent blood, a severe sin against God and humanity.
- and to destroy souls: (Hebrew: וּלְהַאֲבִיד נְפָשׁוֹת, uleha'abid nefasot) - This signifies causing harm to life itself, leading to death or ruin. It reflects the comprehensive damage caused by their wicked actions, extending beyond physical death to the spiritual and societal devastation.
- and to get dishonest gain: (Hebrew: וּלְהַצִּיב הָמוֹן, uletza'ab hazon - alternate translation possible here depending on the textual tradition; if it implies unjust acquisition, then this meaning fits; alternatively it could refer to imposing a burden or tax). The general sense is accumulating wealth through illicit means, typically by exploiting or cheating others.
Group Analysis:
- "princes... like wolves ravening the prey": This group of words vividly paints a picture of leadership characterized by rapacity and violence. The leadership, instead of protecting the populace, actively preyed upon them, acting like predators in their own community.
- "to shed blood, and to destroy souls": This phrase emphasizes the extreme violence and destruction wrought by the corrupt leaders. It moves beyond simple greed to encompass life-taking and ruin, indicating a complete disregard for human life and well-being.
- "and to get dishonest gain": This links the violent actions directly to their motivation: illicit profit and material gain obtained through unethical means.
Ezekiel 22 27 Bonus Section
The imagery of "wolves ravening the prey" is a powerful metaphor used elsewhere in Scripture to describe those who exploit and harm God's people. This predatory behavior among leaders is consistently condemned throughout the Old Testament, reflecting a fundamental covenant violation. The "souls" (Hebrew: נְפָשׁוֹת, nefasot) destroyed represent not just physical life but also the well-being and spiritual state of individuals and the community as a whole. The concept of "dishonest gain" is closely tied to the prohibition of theft and oppression in the Law, underscoring the economic dimension of their sin as well as the moral and spiritual.
Ezekiel 22 27 Commentary
Ezekiel 22:27 is a scathing indictment of corrupt leadership. The leaders of Jerusalem are compared to wolves, emphasizing their predatory nature and their violation of their protective role. They unjustly shed blood, implying murder and the perpetuation of violence, and actively cause the destruction of lives, not just physically but potentially spiritually as well. Their ultimate goal is described as acquiring "dishonest gain," highlighting that their cruelty and violence stem from greed and exploitation for personal profit. This verse encapsulates the core sin of Jerusalem's elite—the betrayal of their sacred trust and the inversion of justice, which God will not tolerate.