Ezekiel 22:31
Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
וָאֶשְׁפֹּ֤ךְ
Therefore have I poured out
H8210
וָאֶשְׁפֹּ֤ךְ
Therefore have I poured out
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
1 of 12
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
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
זַעְמִ֔י
mine indignation
H2195
זַעְמִ֔י
mine indignation
Strong's:
H2195
Word #:
3 of 12
strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)
כִּלִּיתִ֑ים
upon them I have consumed
H3615
כִּלִּיתִ֑ים
upon them I have consumed
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
6 of 12
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
דַּרְכָּם֙
their own way
H1870
דַּרְכָּם֙
their own way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
בְּרֹאשָׁ֣ם
upon their heads
H7218
בְּרֹאשָׁ֣ם
upon their heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
8 of 12
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
נָתַ֔תִּי
have I recompensed
H5414
נָתַ֔תִּי
have I recompensed
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Ezekiel 16:43Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.Ezekiel 9:10And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.Ezekiel 7:3Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.
Historical Context
Chapter 22 catalogs Jerusalem's comprehensive corruption circa 590 BC: bloodshed, idolatry, oppression, sexual immorality, dishonest gain, Sabbath violation, and prophetic lies. No social class was exempt—princes, priests, prophets, and people all participated. Jerusalem fell in 586 BC, four years after this prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's search for 'one intercessor' (v. 30) highlight the importance of faithful remnants?
- What does 'their own way recompensed on their heads' teach about the nature of sin's consequences?
- Are there systemic sins in our culture where God might be searching for intercessors?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath—This concluding verse of chapter 22 summarizes Jerusalem's fate. The Hebrew זַעַם (zaʿam, 'indignation') and חֵמָה (ḥēmāh, 'wrath/burning anger') depict God's intense anger at systemic corruption detailed in verses 1-30.
Their own way have I recompensed upon their heads—The principle of poetic justice: דַּרְכָּם בְּרֹאשָׁם נָתַתִּי (darkām bĕrōshām nātattî, 'their way on their head I have placed'). They are punished according to their own evil path (Proverbs 1:31, Galatians 6:7). God's judgment is perfectly calibrated to the sin: prophets who saw false visions received true judgment; princes who shed blood had blood poured out; priests who profaned holy things saw the temple destroyed. This verse follows God's futile search for an intercessor (v. 30): finding none, judgment became inevitable.