Ezekiel Chapter 22 · Verse 20
As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.
Original Language Analysis
וּ֠נְחֹשֶׁת
and brass
H5178
וּ֠נְחֹשֶׁת
and brass
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
3 of 20
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וּבַרְזֶ֨ל
and iron
H1270
וּבַרְזֶ֨ל
and iron
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
4 of 20
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
וּבְדִיל֙
and tin
H913
וּבְדִיל֙
and tin
Strong's:
H913
Word #:
6 of 20
alloy (because removed by smelting); by analogy, tin
תּ֣וֹךְ
into the midst
H8432
תּ֣וֹךְ
into the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
8 of 20
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
לָפַֽחַת
to blow
H5301
לָפַֽחַת
to blow
Strong's:
H5301
Word #:
10 of 20
to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)
עָלָ֥יו
H5921
עָלָ֥יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְהִתַּכְתִּ֖י
upon it to melt
H5413
וְהִתַּכְתִּ֖י
upon it to melt
Strong's:
H5413
Word #:
13 of 20
to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify
כֵּ֤ן
H3651
כֵּ֤ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בְּאַפִּ֣י
you in mine anger
H639
בְּאַפִּ֣י
you in mine anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וּבַחֲמָתִ֔י
and in my fury
H2534
וּבַחֲמָתִ֔י
and in my fury
Strong's:
H2534
Word #:
17 of 20
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
וְהִנַּחְתִּ֥י
and I will leave
H3240
וְהִנַּחְתִּ֥י
and I will leave
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
18 of 20
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar's siege tactics included surrounding the city, cutting off supplies, and eventually burning it (2 Kings 25:9). The Babylonian army 'blew upon' the city with sustained assault, siege engines, and finally conflagration. Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem's City of David reveal destruction layers from 586 BC with ash, burnt debris, and arrowheads—physical evidence of the 'furnace' that consumed the city.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's active role in judgment ('I will gather...I will blow...I will melt') challenge modern views that minimize divine wrath?
- What does this verse teach about the seriousness with which God views covenant unfaithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. The extended simile draws direct parallels: smelter's action = God's judgment; mixed metals = Jerusalem's population; blowing fire = intensifying heat; melting = destruction. The Hebrew nafach (נָפַח, "blow") describes bellows intensifying furnace heat. God Himself will fan the flames of judgment—not passive permission but active intensification.
The phrase "in mine anger and in my fury" (be'appi uve'chamati, בְּאַפִּי וּבַחֲמָתִי) emphasizes divine wrath's intensity. This isn't reluctant discipline but fierce indignation at prolonged rebellion. "I will leave you there, and melt you" means no escape, no relief—complete consumption in judgment's furnace. The metallurgical imagery becomes horrifyingly literal: Jerusalem's destruction by fire would 'melt' the city and its inhabitants.