Ezekiel 22:27

27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.

Ezekiel 22:27 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.
New Living Translation (NLT)
27 Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money!
The Message Bible (MSG)
27 Your politicians are like wolves prowling and killing and rapaciously taking whatever they want.
American Standard Version (ASV)
27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
27 Your leaders are like wolves that tear their prey into pieces. They murder and destroy people to make excessive profits.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
27 "Her officials within her are like wolves tearing [their] prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives in order to get unjust gain.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
27 "The officials in the land are like wolves that tear their food apart. They spill blood and kill people to get rich.

Ezekiel 22:27 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 22:27

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the
prey
The king and his nobles, those of the first rank and quality, who ought to have protected the persons and property of the meaner sort; these were like "wolves" themselves, subtle, voracious, and cruel, preying upon harmless persons, as those creatures do upon the sheep and lambs: to shed blood;
innocent blood, as the Targum: and to destroy souls;
take away lives, under a pretence of treasonable practices, and all with a view to get dishonest gain; that their estates may be forfeited, their goods confiscated, and got into their hands.

Ezekiel 22:27 In-Context

25 There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her.
26 Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.
28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’—when the LORD has not spoken.
29 The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.

Cross References 4

  • 1. S Jeremiah 26:10; Zephaniah 3:3
  • 2. Matthew 7:15
  • 3. S ver 3; S Ezekiel 11:6; Ezekiel 33:25; Ezekiel 34:2-3; Micah 3:2,10
  • 4. ver 13; S Genesis 37:24; S Isaiah 1:23; S Jeremiah 12:2; S Jeremiah 51:13; Ezekiel 33:31
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