Ezekiel 22:27 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 22:27 mean?

Ezekiel 22:27 says that the leaders of Jerusalem are acting like wolves, violently attacking people and destroying lives just to gain wealth dishonestly. The verse paints a picture of those in power using their authority for cruel and selfish purposes, without regard for justice or the well-being of others.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem, specifically calling out their rulers. The city is in a state of deep moral corruption, and the leaders—referred to as "princes"—are compared to predatory animals. This comparison highlights how those who should protect the people are instead exploiting and harming them for personal profit.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 22:27

• The word for "princes" is שָׂרֶיהָ (saréha), meaning rulers or officials, emphasizing that those with authority are the ones acting unjustly.
• "Wolves" is זְאֵבִים (ze'evim), a strong image in Hebrew for ruthless, predatory behavior, showing the leaders as dangerous and greedy.
• "Ravening" comes from טָרַף (taraf), which means to tear apart or seize violently, stressing the brutality of the leaders' actions.
• "To get dishonest gain" uses the word בָּצַע (batsa‘) for "get" and בֶּצַע (betza‘) for "gain," both carrying the sense of acquiring profit through violence or corruption, not through honest means.

Why Ezekiel 22:27 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that the corruption in Jerusalem was limited to the common people; it specifically points to the highest officials as being deeply involved in injustice.
• The strong animal imagery underscores how unnatural and shocking it is for leaders—who should protect—to instead prey on their own people.
• Ezekiel 22:27 connects to the larger chapter, where God lists the sins of different groups in Jerusalem, building a case for why judgment is coming on the city.