King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 22:20 Mean?

Ezekiel 22:20 in the King James Version says “As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. As: Heb. According to the gathering

Ezekiel 22:20 · KJV


Context

18

Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. dross of silver: Heb. drosses, etc

19

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.

20

As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. As: Heb. According to the gathering

21

Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof.

22

As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. The extended simile draws direct parallels: smelter's action = God's judgment; mixed metals = Jerusalem's population; blowing fire = intensifying heat; melting = destruction. The Hebrew nafach (נָפַח, "blow") describes bellows intensifying furnace heat. God Himself will fan the flames of judgment—not passive permission but active intensification.

The phrase "in mine anger and in my fury" (be'appi uve'chamati, בְּאַפִּי וּבַחֲמָתִי) emphasizes divine wrath's intensity. This isn't reluctant discipline but fierce indignation at prolonged rebellion. "I will leave you there, and melt you" means no escape, no relief—complete consumption in judgment's furnace. The metallurgical imagery becomes horrifyingly literal: Jerusalem's destruction by fire would 'melt' the city and its inhabitants.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar's siege tactics included surrounding the city, cutting off supplies, and eventually burning it (2 Kings 25:9). The Babylonian army 'blew upon' the city with sustained assault, siege engines, and finally conflagration. Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem's City of David reveal destruction layers from 586 BC with ash, burnt debris, and arrowheads—physical evidence of the 'furnace' that consumed the city.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's active role in judgment ('I will gather...I will blow...I will melt') challenge modern views that minimize divine wrath?
  2. What does this verse teach about the seriousness with which God views covenant unfaithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
קְבֻ֣צַת1 of 20

As they gather

H6910

a hoard

כֶּ֡סֶף2 of 20

silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וּ֠נְחֹשֶׁת3 of 20

and brass

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

וּבַרְזֶ֨ל4 of 20

and iron

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

וְעוֹפֶ֤רֶת5 of 20

and lead

H5777

lead (from its dusty color)

וּבְדִיל֙6 of 20

and tin

H913

alloy (because removed by smelting); by analogy, tin

אֶל7 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תּ֣וֹךְ8 of 20

into the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

כּ֔וּר9 of 20

of the furnace

H3564

a pot or furnace (as if excavated)

לָפַֽחַת10 of 20

to blow

H5301

to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)

עָלָ֥יו11 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֵ֖שׁ12 of 20

the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְהִתַּכְתִּ֖י13 of 20

upon it to melt

H5413

to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify

כֵּ֤ן14 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

אֶקְבֹּץ֙15 of 20

it so will I gather

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

בְּאַפִּ֣י16 of 20

you in mine anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וּבַחֲמָתִ֔י17 of 20

and in my fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

וְהִנַּחְתִּ֥י18 of 20

and I will leave

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

וְהִתַּכְתִּ֖י19 of 20

upon it to melt

H5413

to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify

אֶתְכֶֽם׃20 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 22:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 22:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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