Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

EZEKIEL 22:2KJV
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Ezekiel 22:2 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 22:2 mean?

Ezekiel 22:2 records God telling Ezekiel, whom He calls "son of man," to judge Jerusalem, described here as "the bloody city," and to confront the people with all their detestable actions. The verse sets up Ezekiel's role as someone who must openly declare the city's violent guilt and reveal its many wrongdoings.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Ezekiel, a prophet living among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Jerusalem is called "the bloody city" because of the violence and bloodshed happening there. God commands Ezekiel not just to pass judgment, but to make sure the people understand exactly what they have done wrong, preparing the way for the detailed accusations that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 22:2

  • "son" (בֵּן, ben) and "man" (אָדָם, adam): God addresses Ezekiel as "son of man," a phrase that emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity in contrast to God's authority, and marks him as a representative for the people.
  • "judge" (שָׁפַט, shafat): This word means more than just making a decision; it often involves declaring guilt and pronouncing a verdict. Here, Ezekiel is not just to assess, but to announce God's judgment.
  • "bloody" (דָּם, dam): The word means "blood," and calling Jerusalem "the bloody city" points to the seriousness of the violence and murders taking place there.
  • "shew" (יָדַע, yada): This verb means "to make known" or "to reveal." Ezekiel is told to clearly expose the city's abominations, not just mention them in passing.
  • "abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, toevah): This word refers to actions that are detestable or disgusting, especially in a moral or religious sense. It highlights the gravity of the sins being addressed.

Why Ezekiel 22:2 matters

  • Ezekiel 22:2 clarifies that God holds Jerusalem accountable for specific acts of violence and wrongdoing, not just general unfaithfulness.
  • The verse shows that God wants the people to understand why judgment is coming, emphasizing that His actions are not arbitrary.
  • By calling Ezekiel to "judge" and "make known," the verse connects the prophet's role to both warning and teaching, not just condemning.

Where else these words appear

“abominations” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Ezra 9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
  • Ezekiel 7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.