King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 22:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 22:3 in the King James Version says “Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh i...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself.”

Ezekiel 22:3 · KJV

Context

1

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations. judge: or, plead for bloody: Heb. city of bloods? shew her: Heb. make her know

3

Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself.

4

Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.

5

Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and much vexed. infamous: Heb. polluted of name, much in vexation

Read Ezekiel 22 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
"Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself." Jerusalem's twin crimes—bloodshed and idolatry—bring judgment. "Sheddeth blood in the midst" (shofekhet dam be-tokha, שֹׁפֶכֶת דָּם בְּתוֹכָהּ) indicates violence at the city's heart, not periphery. "Maketh idols against herself" shows self-destructive folly—idolatry harms the worshiper. The phrase "that her time may come" (lavo ittah, לָבוֹא עִתָּהּ) indicates these sins hasten judgment's arrival.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's bloodshed included judicial murders, oppression of vulnerable populations, and child sacrifice (verses 6-12). The idolatry defiled the very temple meant for Yahweh worship (Ezekiel 8). These accumulated sins 'brought near' the day of judgment—sin accelerates its own consequences. When Babylon conquered, it was neither random nor disproportionate but precise response to specific, enumerated crimes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sin being 'against herself' illustrate its self-destructive nature?
  2. What does hastening judgment's arrival teach about sin's role in accelerating consequences?
  3. In what ways do bloodshed and idolatry remain connected sins in contemporary culture?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אָמַר֙1 of 15

“Then say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֤ה2 of 15
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙3 of 15

“Then say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 15

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֔ה5 of 15

“GOD”

H3069

god

עִ֣יר6 of 15

“The city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

שֹׁפֶ֥כֶת7 of 15

“sheddeth”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

דָּ֛ם8 of 15

“blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

בְּתוֹכָ֖הּ9 of 15

“in the midst”

H8432

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

לָב֣וֹא10 of 15

“may come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עִתָּ֑הּ11 of 15

“of it that her time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

וְעָשְׂתָ֧ה12 of 15

“and maketh”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

גִלּוּלִ֛ים13 of 15

“idols”

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

עָלֶ֖יהָ14 of 15
H5921

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

לְטָמְאָֽה׃15 of 15

“against herself to defile”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

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 22:3 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 22:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 22:27Ezekiel 22:6Zephaniah 3:3Ezekiel 7:2-12Romans 2:5Ezekiel 23:37

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