King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 22:31 Mean?

Ezekiel 22:31 in the King James Version says “Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way ha...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 22:31 · KJV

Context

29

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. oppression: or, deceit wrongfully: Heb. without right

30

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

31

Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.

Read Ezekiel 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath—This concluding verse of chapter 22 summarizes Jerusalem's fate. The Hebrew זַעַם (zaʿam, 'indignation') and חֵמָה (ḥēmāh, 'wrath/burning anger') depict God's intense anger at systemic corruption detailed in verses 1-30.

Their own way have I recompensed upon their heads—The principle of poetic justice: דַּרְכָּם בְּרֹאשָׁם נָתַתִּי (darkām bĕrōshām nātattî, 'their way on their head I have placed'). They are punished according to their own evil path (Proverbs 1:31, Galatians 6:7). God's judgment is perfectly calibrated to the sin: prophets who saw false visions received true judgment; princes who shed blood had blood poured out; priests who profaned holy things saw the temple destroyed. This verse follows God's futile search for an intercessor (v. 30): finding none, judgment became inevitable.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Chapter 22 catalogs Jerusalem's comprehensive corruption circa 590 BC: bloodshed, idolatry, oppression, sexual immorality, dishonest gain, Sabbath violation, and prophetic lies. No social class was exempt—princes, priests, prophets, and people all participated. Jerusalem fell in 586 BC, four years after this prophecy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's search for 'one intercessor' (v. 30) highlight the importance of faithful remnants?
  2. What does 'their own way recompensed on their heads' teach about the nature of sin's consequences?
  3. Are there systemic sins in our culture where God might be searching for intercessors?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וָאֶשְׁפֹּ֤ךְ1 of 12

“Therefore have I poured out”

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

עֲלֵיהֶם֙2 of 12
H5921

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

זַעְמִ֔י3 of 12

“mine indignation”

H2195

strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)

בְּאֵ֥שׁ4 of 12

“them with the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

עֶבְרָתִ֖י5 of 12

“of my wrath”

H5678

an outburst of passion

כִּלִּיתִ֑ים6 of 12

“upon them I have consumed”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

דַּרְכָּם֙7 of 12

“their own way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

בְּרֹאשָׁ֣ם8 of 12

“upon their heads”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

נָתַ֔תִּי9 of 12

“have I recompensed”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

נְאֻ֖ם10 of 12

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י11 of 12

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִֹֽה׃12 of 12

“GOD”

H3069

god

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 22:31 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 22:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 7:8-9Ezekiel 16:43Ezekiel 9:10Ezekiel 7:3Romans 2:8-9Ezekiel 22:21-22

Test Your Knowledge

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

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