Ezekiel 22 30

Ezekiel 22:30 kjv

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Ezekiel 22:30 nkjv

So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Ezekiel 22:30 niv

"I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.

Ezekiel 22:30 esv

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

Ezekiel 22:30 nlt

"I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one.

Ezekiel 22 verses

Ezekiel 22 30 Meaning

This verse presents God's profound sorrow and disappointment over the utter lack of righteous and interceding individuals in Jerusalem. It highlights the devastating spiritual vacuum, where no one stood in the gap to plead for the city's preservation, leading to God's decision to pour out His wrath upon them.

Ezekiel 22 30 Context

Ezekiel chapter 22 vividly depicts Jerusalem's pervasive sinfulness and the consequences of their iniquity. The chapter lists a litany of sins including idolatry, bloodshed, betrayal, greed, sexual immorality, and the corruption of religious and political leadership. God expresses His judgment, stating He sought for someone to mend the breach and stand in the gap for the land, but found no one. This verse concludes the description of Jerusalem's moral and spiritual bankruptcy, which necessitates the outpouring of God's wrath. The historical context is the impending Babylonian exile, a direct result of the nation's persistent disobedience and apostasy.

Ezekiel 22 30 Word Analysis

• וַֽ֠אֲנִֺי (va'aní): "And I." Pronoun of the first person singular. Emphasizes God's personal search and initiative.
• בְּקַשְׁתִּ֥י (bəqašətî): "sought." Root word "בָּקַשׁ" (bāqaš), meaning to seek, ask for, desire. Indicates a deliberate and active search.
• מִבְּנֵי (mib-bênê): "from among the sons of." "בֵּן" (bên) means son. Implies looking within the population of the people.
• הֶ֔ם (hem): "them." Refers back to the inhabitants of Jerusalem previously described.
• לְחוֹמָ֖ה (ləḥōmāh): "for a wall." "חוֹמָה" (ḥōmāh) is a city wall, a defensive barrier. Metaphorically represents protection and strength.
• וְלַֽ֠עֲמֹ֠ד (wəla‘ămōð): "and to stand." Root word "עָמַד" (‘āmad), meaning to stand, stand up, to continue to be. Signifies presence and steadfastness.
• בַּפְּרִ֣יצָה (bappəriṣâ): "in the breach." "פְּרִיצָה" (pərîṣâ) refers to a breach, a gap in a wall, a breakthrough. Represents a point of vulnerability or breakdown.
• לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄nê): "before." Indicates position and presence in front of God.
• ק֣וֹנִי (qônî): "Me." Referring to God Himself.
• בְּעַד (bə‘aḏ): "for." Preposition signifying on behalf of, in support of.
• הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā’āreṣ): "the land." The territory or nation of Israel.
• מִלִּ֖יצִי (mil·lî·ṣî): "an intercessor." Root word "לִיץ" (lîṣ), to intercede, mediate, plead. One who stands between parties.
• וְלֹ֥א (wəlō): "and not." Negation.
• אֶמְצָ֥א (’em·ṣā’): "I found." First person singular, perfect tense of "מָצָא" (māṣā’), to find. Confirms the lack of such a person.

Group Analysis:

• "to make a wall, and stand before Me for the land": This phrase vividly uses the imagery of a city wall (חוֹמָה - ḥōmāh) and standing in a breach (פְּרִיצָה - pərîṣâ). God is looking for someone who would act as a protective barrier for the land by standing in the gap before Him, appealing for its preservation against His judgment. This evokes the historical practice of defense and the spiritual need for intercession.

Ezekiel 22 30 Bonus Section

The lament over the lack of an intercessor in Ezekiel 22:30 echoes sentiments found in other parts of Scripture, particularly in Jeremiah 5:1. Both prophets undertook a similar search for righteous individuals in the heart of a sin-laden Jerusalem, but failed to find them. This recurring theme underscores the moral decay of the nation. Furthermore, the New Testament offers the ultimate intercessor in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills the role of the "one man" who stands in the breach for all humanity. His sacrifice and ongoing intercession (Hebrews 7:25) make salvation available to those who call upon Him, fulfilling God's desire for a means of reconciliation, a role that tragically was absent within the human populace of Jerusalem at that time.

Ezekiel 22 30 Commentary

The absence of even one individual willing and able to stand in the breach was a damning indictment of Jerusalem. God, in His justice, had to respond to the unrighteousness that permeated the city. The concept of "standing in the breach" signifies a vital role of intercession. This highlights the importance of righteous individuals who can intercede on behalf of others or a community before God. The verse starkly contrasts God's desire to show mercy with the people's failure to provide any basis for it through righteous intercession, thereby leaving Him no choice but to execute judgment. This divine search reflects God's continuous hope for repentance and preservation through human action.