King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 22:26 Mean?

Ezekiel 22:26 in the King James Version says “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and p...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. violated: Heb. offered violence to”

Ezekiel 22:26 · KJV

Context

24

Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.

25

There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

26

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. violated: Heb. offered violence to

27

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

28

And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

Read Ezekiel 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean." Corrupt priests erased distinctions God established, treating sacred and common equally. This profanes God's holiness and misleads people. Pastoral responsibility includes teaching discernment: distinguishing holy from profane, clean from unclean, truth from error. Blurring these categories destroys spiritual health. The Reformed emphasis on God's transcendent holiness requires maintaining proper distinctions, refusing to domesticate the sacred or trivialize the eternal.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pre-exilic priests (590 BC) compromised Torah standards, accepting syncretism and failing to teach clearly. This pastoral failure contributed to Israel's corruption. Levitical law established clear categories between holy and common, clean and unclean (Leviticus 10:10). These distinctions weren't arbitrary but taught spiritual realities. When priests erased these categories, people lost moral and spiritual bearings. The pattern repeats when church leaders blur biblical distinctions, accommodating worldly standards rather than teaching God's holiness. Faithful ministry requires maintaining biblical categories.

Reflection Questions

  1. What biblical distinctions does contemporary Christianity sometimes blur or erase?
  2. How does maintaining proper categories between holy and profane shape practical discipleship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כֹּהֲנֶ֜יהָ1 of 20

“Her priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

חָמְס֣וּ2 of 20

“have violated”

H2554

to be violent; by implication, to maltreat

תוֹרָתִי֮3 of 20

“my law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וָאֵחַ֖ל4 of 20

“and I am profaned”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

קֹ֤דֶשׁ5 of 20

“between the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

בֵּֽין6 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

קֹ֤דֶשׁ7 of 20

“between the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

לְחֹל֙8 of 20

“and profane”

H2455

properly, exposed; hence, profane

לֹ֣א9 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִבְדִּ֔ילוּ10 of 20

“they have put no difference”

H914

to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)

וּבֵין11 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַטָּמֵ֥א12 of 20

“difference between the unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

לְטָה֖וֹר13 of 20

“and the clean”

H2889

pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)

לֹ֣א14 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הוֹדִ֑יעוּ15 of 20

“neither have they shewed”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וּמִשַׁבְּתוֹתַי֙16 of 20

“from my sabbaths”

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

הֶעְלִ֣ימוּ17 of 20

“and have hid”

H5956

to veil from sight, i.e., conceal (literally or figuratively)

עֵֽינֵיהֶ֔ם18 of 20

“their eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וָאֵחַ֖ל19 of 20

“and I am profaned”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

בְּתוֹכָֽם׃20 of 20

“among”

H8432

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

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 22:26 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 22:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 22:8Leviticus 10:10Ezekiel 44:23Malachi 2:8Micah 3:11-121 Samuel 2:12-17

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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