Ezekiel 22 6

Ezekiel 22:6 kjv

Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.

Ezekiel 22:6 nkjv

"Look, the princes of Israel: each one has used his power to shed blood in you.

Ezekiel 22:6 niv

"?'See how each of the princes of Israel who are in you uses his power to shed blood.

Ezekiel 22:6 esv

"Behold, the princes of Israel in you, every one according to his power, have been bent on shedding blood.

Ezekiel 22:6 nlt

"Every leader in Israel who lives within your walls is bent on murder.

Ezekiel 22 verses

Ezekiel 22 6 Meaning

Ezekiel 22:6 reveals the severe moral decay among the leadership in Jerusalem, asserting that the city's princes actively abused their authority to cause violence and bloodshed. Instead of administering justice and protecting the vulnerable, they exploited their power, directly contributing to the shedding of innocent blood, which was a grave transgression against God's law and a defilement of the land.

Ezekiel 22 6 Context

Ezekiel 22 opens with a strong prophetic lament and indictment against Jerusalem, metaphorically depicted as a city steeped in bloodshed and idol worship. The chapter systematically lists the manifold sins committed by its inhabitants, leaders, priests, and prophets, declaring God's impending judgment through the Babylonian invasion. Verse 6 specifically focuses on the leadership class, the "princes of Israel," holding them primarily accountable for the city's rampant violence and injustice. This period was immediately prior to the final destruction of Jerusalem and the exile, where internal corruption significantly weakened the nation, making it ripe for God's judgment through external forces. The verse highlights that the problem wasn't merely the people's sin, but the systemic failure of those in power to uphold righteousness, actively participating in and facilitating evil.

Ezekiel 22 6 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה hinneh):

  • This interjection serves to draw immediate and serious attention to the statement that follows. It underscores the gravity and shocking nature of the truth being revealed.
  • Significance: It emphasizes that what is about to be said is not trivial but a solemn and undeniable accusation from God.

• the princes (נְשִׂיאֵי nesi'ei):

  • Refers to the civic and governmental leaders, including high-ranking officials, magistrates, and influential nobles in Jerusalem. This term is distinct from 'king' but denotes those wielding significant power and authority in the administration of the city and state.
  • Significance: These individuals were entrusted with the welfare of the people and the administration of justice. Their corruption represented a profound betrayal of their divine and social responsibilities.

• of Israel (yisrael):

  • In the context of Ezekiel, this refers specifically to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, of which Jerusalem was the capital. Although the northern kingdom (Israel) had fallen, the people of Judah still carried the identity of Israel.
  • Significance: It highlights that these were the designated leaders of God's chosen people, making their sins an even greater affront to the covenant.

• every one was in thee (אִישׁ בָּךְ הָיוּ ish bakh hayu):

  • Literally, "each man within you they were." This phrase signifies the pervasive and widespread nature of the corruption among the leaders within Jerusalem. It implies that this was not an isolated incident but a systemic issue involving most, if not all, in positions of authority.
  • Significance: The culpability extended across the leadership cadre, indicating deep-seated moral failure at the highest levels of society.

• to his power (לְזְרוֹעוֹ l'zro'o):

  • Literally "to his arm," signifying his strength, might, influence, authority, or means. This denotes that they were actively and deliberately using the resources and positions they possessed. It was a conscious exertion of their capabilities, not a passive failing.
  • Significance: The leaders were not just negligent; they actively leveraged their privileged status and abilities for unjust ends, transforming their God-given authority into a tool of oppression.

• to shed blood (לִשְׁפָּךְ דָּם lishpakh dam):

  • Literally "to pour out blood." In biblical context, this is almost always a strong condemnation of taking innocent human life, whether through direct murder, unjust legal verdicts leading to execution, or oppressive policies that resulted in death. This is distinct from sacrificial blood.
  • Significance: This is the most damning accusation, indicating not only injustice but also lethal violence. It defiled the land and violated one of God's fundamental commands (the prohibition against murder), carrying severe consequences under the covenant.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "the princes of Israel...to his power": This emphasizes the nexus of authority and capability. The leaders were using their institutional power and personal influence – which should have been used for justice – as instruments for committing egregious acts, showing a complete subversion of their divine calling.
  • "every one was in thee...to shed blood": This highlights the deep corruption embedded within the city's governing structure and its horrifying outcome. It underscores that the bloodshed was not incidental but a deliberate action perpetrated by the collective leadership within Jerusalem, contaminating the very heart of the nation.

Ezekiel 22 6 Bonus section

• The accusation of shedding innocent blood, especially by leaders, directly parallels the accusations leveled against the people of Jerusalem for child sacrifice (Ezek 16:21, Ezek 23:37) and oppression of the weak (Ezek 22:7). This underscores a culture where life had little value and authority was perverted.
• This verse provides a powerful biblical principle concerning accountability: those in positions of authority bear a greater responsibility before God for the moral and just functioning of society. When leaders lead in wickedness, their guilt is especially pronounced, contributing significantly to the collective sin and judgment of a nation.
• The concept of the land being defiled by blood is critical. In Mosaic Law, bloodshed, especially innocent blood, was an act that brought defilement, requiring divine retribution or atonement. The actions of Jerusalem's princes meant the land itself cried out for judgment, demonstrating the ethical weight of their sin.

Ezekiel 22 6 Commentary

Ezekiel 22:6 is a potent divine indictment against the ruling elite of Jerusalem. The "princes of Israel" – those meant to be shepherds and guardians of justice – had become wolves, actively orchestrating or enabling the taking of innocent lives. This was not a passive failing or a mere tolerance of injustice, but an active exertion of their authority ("to his power") for murderous ends ("to shed blood"). Such conduct reveals a profound spiritual apostasy where covenant responsibilities were trampled for selfish gain or power maintenance. This egregious abuse of power corrupted the very foundations of the nation, making it ripe for divine judgment, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to justice, particularly for the vulnerable. The actions of these leaders directly defiled Jerusalem, violating the sanctity of life and the land itself, inviting the full force of God's wrath which soon came through the Babylonian invasion and exile.