Ezekiel 22 29

Ezekiel 22:29 kjv

The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

Ezekiel 22:29 nkjv

The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.

Ezekiel 22:29 niv

The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.

Ezekiel 22:29 esv

The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice.

Ezekiel 22:29 nlt

Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice.

Ezekiel 22 verses

Ezekiel 22 29 Meaning

The verse depicts the leadership of Israel as a cause of ruin and destruction, a consequence of their sin and betrayal of God. They acted as if they were princes in a violent, lawless land, extorting and oppressing the people, and showing no concern for the vulnerable.

Ezekiel 22 29 Context

Ezekiel 22 is a powerful chapter where God commissions Ezekiel to expose the wickedness of Jerusalem before its final destruction. The city is accused of rampant idolatry, sexual immorality, violence, corruption, and disregard for the Law. This particular verse highlights the pervasive injustice and exploitation prevalent within the city, particularly by those in positions of influence. It emphasizes that the leaders themselves contributed to the desolation, acting like violent princes who plundered rather than protected. The entire chapter paints a grim picture of a society that has thoroughly rebelled against God, leading to inevitable judgment.

Ezekiel 22 29 Word Analysis

• "And" (וְ, wə): A conjunctive particle, linking phrases and ideas, showing a progression of the accusations against the leadership.
• "the people" (עם, ‘am): Refers to the inhabitants of the land, emphasizing the collective nature of sin.
• "of the land" (הָאָרֶץ, hā’āreṣ): Designates the territory of Israel, underscoring that the corruption is within their own promised land.
• "have practiced" (עָשׂוּ, ‘āśû): A perfect tense verb, indicating completed action with ongoing results. The practices were habitual and established.
• "extortion" (עָשֶׁק, ‘āšeḳ): Meaning oppression, fraud, injustice, wrong. It speaks to taking by force or deceit, exploiting the vulnerable.
• "and" (וְ, wə): Another conjunction, adding to the list of transgressions.
• "committed" (עָשׂוּ, ‘āśû): Same verb as "practiced," reinforcing the active engagement in wrong.
• "robbery" (גֶּזֶל, gezel): Meaning spoil, robbery, plunder. It's a direct taking of what belongs to another, often through violence or coercion.
• "and" (וְ, wə): Continues the list.
• "have wronged" (עָשׂוּ, ‘āśû): Again, the same verb, emphasizing repeated actions of injustice.
• "the poor" (דַּל, dal): The weak, the needy, the impoverished. Those lacking means or power.
• "and" (וְ, wə): Connects "poor" and "needy."
• "the needy" (וְאֶבְיוֹן, wə’eḇyōn): Similar to "poor," emphasizing destitution and lacking basic necessities.
• "and" (וְ, wə): Linking phrase.
• "extorted from" (גָּזְלוּ, gāzəlû): A past tense verb from gāzal (robbery), emphasizing the act of taking away from someone unjustly.
• "the sojourner" (אֶת־גֵּר, ’eṯ-gēr): The stranger, the alien, the foreigner living among them. A group specifically protected by Mosaic law (Leviticus 19:33-34).
• "without" (בְּלִי, bəlî): Negating the presence of something.
• "justice" (מִשְׁפָּט, mišpāṭ): Justice, judgment, equity. The absence of righteous dealings and fairness.

Group Analysis:The repeated use of the verb "to do" (‘āśû) and cognates of "robbery" (gezel) strongly indicates a systematic and ingrained culture of injustice and violent appropriation among the people and leaders. The specific mention of the "sojourner" highlights a grave violation of the covenant's requirement for justice towards the vulnerable foreigners, who were meant to be protected under Israel's laws. The absence of mišpāṭ (justice) is central to their condemnation.

Ezekiel 22 29 Bonus Section

The Hebrew terms used, particularly ‘āšeḳ (oppression, injustice) and gezel (robbery, plunder), convey a strong sense of systematic violation and the violent seizure of property or rights. The failure to grant justice (mišpāṭ) to the sojourner is especially damning because the Pentateuch repeatedly commands special care and just treatment for foreigners living in the land (e.g., Exodus 22:21; 23:9; Leviticus 19:33-34). This shows that their sin was not an accidental oversight but a deliberate turning away from divine commands and a perversion of covenant responsibilities. The leadership, who should have been the foremost protectors of these laws, are instead implicated as the main perpetrators or enablers of these oppressive practices.

Ezekiel 22 29 Commentary

This verse underscores a fundamental aspect of God's covenant with Israel: the imperative to practice justice and righteousness, especially towards the vulnerable like the poor, needy, and sojourners. The leaders are accused not just of failing to lead but of actively participating in and enabling widespread extortion and robbery. This demonstrates a complete reversal of God's intended order. Instead of upholding justice, they have become the primary agents of oppression, stripping the weak of their possessions and denying them basic legal recourse. Their actions mirror those of Gentile oppressors and are a direct affront to the Law that was meant to govern their society. This systematic failure of leadership and justice is a key reason for the impending judgment described in Ezekiel 22. The severity of these acts is echoed throughout Scripture, showing God’s unwavering commitment to fairness and His severe judgment upon those who perpetuate injustice.