Ezekiel 22:7
In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.
Original Language Analysis
אָ֤ב
by father
H1
אָ֤ב
by father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
1 of 12
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וָאֵם֙
and mother
H517
וָאֵם֙
and mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
2 of 12
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
הֵקַ֣לּוּ
In thee have they set light
H7043
הֵקַ֣לּוּ
In thee have they set light
Strong's:
H7043
Word #:
3 of 12
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
לַגֵּ֛ר
with the stranger
H1616
לַגֵּ֛ר
with the stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
עָשׂ֥וּ
of thee have they dealt
H6213
עָשׂ֥וּ
of thee have they dealt
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בַעֹ֖שֶׁק
by oppression
H6233
בַעֹ֖שֶׁק
by oppression
Strong's:
H6233
Word #:
7 of 12
injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain
בְּתוֹכֵ֑ךְ
in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכֵ֑ךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
8 of 12
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
Cross References
Deuteronomy 27:16Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.Jeremiah 7:6If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:Zechariah 7:10And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.Leviticus 20:9For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical Context
The breakdown of basic social order—family respect, protection of vulnerable, justice for outsiders—indicated comprehensive moral collapse. These weren't isolated failures but endemic patterns. Archaeological evidence and prophetic texts confirm widespread oppression of poor, corruption of justice, and abuse of vulnerable populations throughout late monarchy. When society's foundational relationships collapse, judgment becomes necessary to restore order.
Questions for Reflection
- How does violating family and social relationships indicate deeper spiritual corruption?
- What does God's concern for stranger, orphan, and widow teach about His justice priorities?
- In what ways should Christian communities protect the vulnerable as testimony to God's character?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow." This verse catalogs violated relationships: parents dishonored (violating fifth commandment), strangers oppressed (violating covenant commands protecting foreigners), and orphans/widows exploited (violating explicit divine protections, Exodus 22:21-24). The threefold "in thee" emphasizes these occurred in Jerusalem's midst—systematic violation at covenant community's heart.