Ezekiel 22:23
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
וַיְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 5
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
And the word
H1697
דְבַר
And the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 5
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
The catalog of sins in Ezekiel 22 provided comprehensive indictment explaining why Jerusalem would fall. When judgment came, survivors would remember this detailed explanation, understanding their suffering as deserved consequence, not divine failure or pagan gods' victory. The word's preservation through exile served post-exilic community in understanding their history theologically.
Questions for Reflection
- How does detailed sin-cataloging prevent misattributing judgment to wrong causes?
- What does comprehensive indictment teach about God's thorough knowledge of our actions?
- In what ways should awareness of divine knowledge shape our behavior and repentance?
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Analysis & Commentary
"And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," This formula introduces God's parable of silver refining (22:17-22), emphasizing divine origin. The chapter catalogs Israel's comprehensive sins requiring purging judgment. The prophetic word serves both to indict and instruct—showing what demands judgment while teaching God's purposes through it.