And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee.

EZEKIEL 22:15KJV
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Ezekiel 22:15 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 22:15 mean?

Ezekiel 22:15 describes God’s warning that He will scatter the people of Jerusalem among foreign nations and spread them out across many lands, using this as a way to remove their moral corruption. The verse says that through this scattering, God will cleanse them of the impurities that have built up among them.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem, who have been living in persistent disobedience and idolatry. The situation is one of judgment: Jerusalem’s leaders and people have become deeply corrupt, and God announces that exile among other nations will be both a punishment and a way to purify them. The verse fits into a larger section where Ezekiel lists the sins of Jerusalem and the consequences that will follow.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 22:15

  • "Scatter" (פָּרַץ, parats H6327) and "disperse" (זָרָה, zarah H2219) both describe forceful actions of being spread out, emphasizing that the people will not just leave together but will be broken up and separated widely.
  • "Heathen" (גּוֹי, goy H1471) refers to foreign nations, highlighting that the people will be sent to places very different from their homeland, among those who do not share their faith or customs.
  • "Consume" (תָּמַם, tamam H8552) is often understood as “bring to an end” or “finish off,” so God is saying He will put an end to their "filthiness" (טֻמְאָה, tum’ah H2932), meaning their moral and spiritual uncleanness, through this process of exile.

Why Ezekiel 22:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that exile is not only a punishment but also a means of purification, showing God’s intent to remove the people’s deep-rooted corruption.
  • It highlights the seriousness of Jerusalem’s sins and the drastic measures God is willing to take to address them.
  • The verse connects to the larger message of Ezekiel 22, where the prophet details the reasons for Jerusalem’s judgment and God’s desire for a cleansed, restored people.

Where else these words appear

“filthiness” Hebrew H2932 · used in 31 verses

  • Leviticus 5:3 Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.
  • Leviticus 16:19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
  • Ezra 6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

“disperse” Hebrew H2219 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
  • Proverbs 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
  • Ezekiel 5:12 A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.

“consume” Hebrew H8552 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
  • Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
  • Psalms 104:35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

“scatter” Hebrew H6327 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 10:18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
  • Job 18:11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
  • Ezekiel 11:17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.