Ezekiel 22:16

16 And when you have defiled yourself ^[a] in the eyes of the nations, then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

Ezekiel 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 22:16

And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight
of the Heathen
No longer be the inheritance of God, but their own; and not have God to be their portion and inheritance, but themselves; and a poor portion and inheritance that must be, being in captivity, poverty, and distress; enjoying neither their civil nor religious liberties, as heretofore; it would be now manifest to the Heathens that they were forsaken of God, and left to themselves. Some render it, "and thou shalt be profaned, or polluted in thyself" ^F5; shalt be known to be so to thyself, as well as appear so to others. The Targum is,

``I will be sanctified in thee before the people:''

and thou shalt know that I am the Lord;
able to do what I say; faithful to my word; omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent; and this thou shalt not only know, but own and acknowledge, when these calamities take place, and have their effect.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (Kb tlxnw) "et prophana effecta in te", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus; "prophana efficeris", Piscator; "et polluta eris in te", Grotius; "et prophnata eris in te", Starckiss; "et prophanaberis in te", Cocceius.

Ezekiel 22:16 In-Context

14 Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will act.

15 I will disperse you among the nations and scatter you throughout the lands; I will purge your uncleanness.

16 And when you have defiled yourself in the eyes of the nations, then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

17 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or And when I have allotted you your inheritance