King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 7:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 7:22 in the King James Version says “My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and def...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it. robbers: or, burglers”

Ezekiel 7:22 · KJV

Context

20

As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them. set it far: or, made it unto them an unclean thing

21

And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.

22

My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it. robbers: or, burglers

23

Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.

24

Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled . their holy: or, they shall inherit their holy places

Read Ezekiel 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them. This verse transitions to temple desecration, explaining why God will allow His sanctuary destruction. What God gave for His glory, Israel corrupted for idolatry, resulting in divine abandonment of the temple.

The beauty of his ornament refers to the temple, God dwelling place (Psalm 27:4, 50:2). He set it in majesty indicates God original purpose—the temple displayed divine glory, housed the ark, represented God presence with Israel. It was meant to be locus of true worship and covenant relationship.

But they made the images of their abominations introduces catastrophic corruption. Abominations specifically refers to idols in biblical vocabulary (Deuteronomy 7:25-26). Detestable things intensifies the condemnation. Archaeological and biblical evidence confirms idols were set up even within the temple itself (2 Kings 21:7, 23:4-12, Ezekiel 8:3-12). They defiled what God made holy.

Therefore have I set it far from them announces divine consequence. God removes His presence, abandoning the temple to destruction. From Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that religious institutions and sacred spaces have no inherent power—God presence is what makes them holy. When His people corrupt worship, He withdraws. This anticipates the temple veil tearing at Christ death and the church becoming God true temple.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Jerusalem temple, built by Solomon around 960 BC, was intended as perpetual dwelling place for God name and glory. However, by Ezekiel time (early 6th century BC), it had been repeatedly defiled by idolatrous kings, particularly Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-9) who erected altars to foreign gods within temple courts.

King Josiah reform in 622 BC (2 Kings 22-23) temporarily purified the temple, but his successors reverted to idolatry. Ezekiel 8 provides detailed description of abominations in the temple just before its destruction: images of creeping things, worship of Tammuz, sun worship at the very entrance to God sanctuary.

Archaeological evidence from this period includes figurines and cult objects found in Judean sites, confirming widespread syncretism mixing Yahweh worship with pagan practices. The temple, meant to be exclusively for the Lord, had become pantheon.

When Babylon destroyed the temple in 586 BC, it validated Ezekiel prophecy. God presence had already departed (Ezekiel 10-11); the building destruction simply manifested spiritual reality that God had withdrawn from defiled sanctuary. The second temple period would show greater reverence for temple purity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does temple desecration teach about misusing what God gives for His glory?
  2. How does God withdrawal from the temple demonstrate His holiness cannot coexist with idolatry?
  3. In what ways do churches today corrupt worship spaces meant for God glory?
  4. What is the relationship between outward religious forms and genuine spiritual reality?
  5. How does the church as living temple (1 Corinthians 3:16) require greater purity than stone buildings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַהֲסִבּוֹתִ֤י1 of 10

“will I turn”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

פָנַי֙2 of 10

“My face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מֵהֶ֔ם3 of 10
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְחִלְּלֽוּהָ׃4 of 10

“also from them and they shall pollute”

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

אֶת5 of 10
H853

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

צְפוּנִ֑י6 of 10

“my secret”

H6845

to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk

וּבָאוּ7 of 10

“shall enter”

H935

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

בָ֥הּ8 of 10
H0
פָּרִיצִ֖ים9 of 10

“place for the robbers”

H6530

violent, i.e., a tyrant

וְחִלְּלֽוּהָ׃10 of 10

“also from them and they shall pollute”

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

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 7:22 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 7:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 18:17Psalms 10:11Psalms 74:18-23Ezekiel 39:23-24Psalms 74:10-11Psalms 35:22

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