The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

EZEKIEL 22:29KJV
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Ezekiel 22:29 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 22:29 mean?

Ezekiel 22:29 describes how the people living in the land were guilty of oppressing others, committing robbery, and mistreating the poor, needy, and foreigners. The verse highlights widespread injustice and abuse, showing that not just leaders but ordinary people were acting wrongly.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem, describing the corrupt state of society before the city's destruction. The verse lists specific wrongs: oppression, robbery, and the mistreatment of vulnerable groups, including foreigners. This is part of a larger passage where God lays out the reasons for judgment against the city.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 22:29

  • "Oppression" (עָשַׁק, ʿāshaq): This word means to wrongfully take from or exploit others, often through force or deceit. It emphasizes the active harm done to those who are powerless.
  • "Robbery" (גָּזֵל, gāzēl): This word refers specifically to taking something by force, highlighting the violent nature of the people's actions.
  • "Vexed" (יָנָה, yānāh): This word means to mistreat or abuse, especially those who are already in need or vulnerable, such as the poor and needy.
  • "Stranger" (גֵּר, gēr): This term refers to a foreigner or resident alien, someone without the protection of family or tribe, making their mistreatment especially serious in the context of ancient Israelite society.

Why Ezekiel 22:29 matters

  • This verse shows that the problem was not limited to leaders or priests; ordinary people were also deeply involved in wrongdoing, making the corruption widespread.
  • The verse highlights God's concern for justice, especially for those who are most vulnerable: the poor, needy, and foreigners.
  • Ezekiel 22:29 connects to the larger theme of the chapter, which is a detailed indictment of Jerusalem's sins, explaining why judgment was coming upon the city.

Where else these words appear

“robbery” Hebrew H1498 · used in 4 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Psalms 62:10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
  • Isaiah 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

“oppression” Hebrew H6233 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 6:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
  • Ecclesiastes 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
  • Jeremiah 6:6 For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.

“vexed” Hebrew H3238 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
  • Psalms 123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
  • Ezekiel 18:7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

“exercised” Hebrew H1497 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 21:25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
  • Isaiah 10:2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!