Ezekiel 22:27

Authorized King James Version

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

Word-by-Word Analysis

שָׂרֶ֣יהָ

H8269

Her princes

a head person (of any rank or class)

בְקִרְבָּ֔הּ

H7130

in the midst

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

כִּזְאֵבִ֖ים

H2061

thereof are like wolves

a wolf

טֹ֣רְפֵי

H2963

ravening

to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)

טָ֑רֶף

H2964

the prey

something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food

לִשְׁפָּךְ

H8210

to shed

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

דָּם֙

H1818

blood

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

לְאַבֵּ֣ד

and to destroy

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

נְפָשׁ֔וֹת

H5315

souls

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#10

לְמַ֖עַן

H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

#11

בְּצֹ֥עַ

H1214

to get

to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop

#12

בָּֽצַע׃

H1215

dishonest gain

plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezekiel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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