BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ezekiel› Chapter 22› Verse 27

Ezekiel 22:27

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 22:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
Ezekiel 22:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
25There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof.
26Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
27Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
28And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered [mortar], seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken.
29The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery; yea, they have vexed the poor and needy, and have oppressed the sojourner wrongfully.
30And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.
← Ezekiel 22:26Ezekiel 22:28 →
← Full Chapter 22 Ezekiel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, &c.] The king and his nobles, those of the first rank and quality, who ought to have protected the persons and property of the meaner sort; these were like “wolves” themselves, subtle, voracious, and cruel, preying upon harmless persons, as those creatures do upon the sheep and lambs: to shed blood; innocent blood, as the Targum: and to destroy souls; take away lives, under a pretence of treasonable practices, and all with a view to get dishonest gain; that their estates may be forfeited, their goods confiscated, and got into their hands.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“princes--who should have employed the influence of their position for the people's welfare, made "gain" their sole aim. wolves--notorious for fierce and ravening cruelty (Mic 3:2-3, Mic 3:9-11; Joh 10:12).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The sixth word of judgment. The special sins of princes, priests, and people. Ezekiel 22:26 Violated - Better as in margin; to offer “violence” to the Law is to misinterpret it. It was the special office of the priests to keep up the distinction between “holy” and “unholy,” “clean” and “unclean” Leviticus 10:10. Ezekiel 22:28 See the marginal reference note. Ezekiel 22:30 The land might be said to perish for the lack of such interpositions as saved their forefathers when Moses “stood in the gap.” This was a proof of the general corruption, that there was not in the city sufficient righteousness to save it from utter destruction. Prince, prophet, priest, all fail. return to 'Top of Page'…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Destroy souls - Ruin families; cutting off the fathers, and impoverishing the widow, and fatherless. Ezekiel 22:28”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“princes: Eze 22:6, Eze 19:3-6, Eze 22:6, Eze 45:9; Isa 1:23; Hos 7:1-7; Mic 3:2, Mic 3:3, Mic 3:9-11, Mic 7:8; Zep 3:3; Jam 2:6, Jam 2:7 to get: Eze 22:13; Mat 21:13; Jam 5:1-4 Ezekiel 22:28”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification