Ezekiel 22:23-31 · Bible study
Ezekiel 22:23-31 Commentary: Indictment of All Classes
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
This oracle systematically indicts every class in Israel, prophets, priests, princes, and people, and reveals God's search for one who would stand in the gap, only to
Research Summary
- Meaning: A formal indictment of every class in Judah, showing total corruption and the absence of any person able to avert destruction.
- Key words: “Not cleansed” (resistant to reformation), “conspiracy” (united in evil), “stand in the gap” (interpose between God and judgment).
- Main debate: Whether the “man” sought in verse 30 is primarily an intercessor (prayer) or a reforming leader (action), most commentators see both roles implied.
- Theological theme: The need for righteous leadership and intercession; God’s willingness to relent when even one person stands in the breach.
- Best use: A sobering call to self-examination, confession, and active intercession for our communities and institutions.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
23And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
24“Son of man, say to her, ‘In the day of indignation, you are a land that has not been cleansed, upon which no rain has fallen.’
25The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her.
26Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
27Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.
28Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.
29The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.
30I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one.
31So I have poured out My indignation upon them and consumed them with the fire of My fury. I have brought their ways down upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
23Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
24“Son of man, tell her, ‘You are a land that is not cleansed nor rained on in the day of indignation.’
25There is a conspiracy of her prophets within it, like a roaring lion ravening the prey. They have devoured souls. They take treasure and precious things. They have made many widows within it.
26Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hidden their eyes from my Sabbaths. So I am profaned among them.
27Her princes within it are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
28Her prophets have plastered for them with whitewash, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, ‘The Lord Yahweh says,’ when Yahweh has not spoken.
29The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery. Yes, they have troubled the poor and needy, and have oppressed the foreigner wrongfully.
30“I sought for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.
31Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have brought their own way on their heads,” says the Lord Yahweh.
KJV King James Version 1769
23And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
24Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
25There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.
26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
27Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
28And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken.
29The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
31Therefore 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
23And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
24Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
25There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof.
26Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
27Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
28And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken.
29The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery; yea, they have vexed the poor and needy, and have oppressed the sojourner wrongfully.
30And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.
31Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I brought upon their heads, saith the Lord Jehovah.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
23And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying:
24`Son of man, say to it, Thou art a land, It is not cleansed nor rained on in a day of indignation.
25A conspiracy of its prophets is in its midst, as a roaring lion tearing prey; The soul they have devoured, Wealth and glory they have taken, Its widows have multiplied in its midst.
26Its priests have wronged My law, And they pollute My holy things, Between holy and common they have not made separation, And between the unclean and the clean they have not made known, And from my sabbaths they have hidden their eyes, And I am pierced in their midst.
27Its princes in its midst are as wolves, Tearing prey, to shed blood, to destroy souls, For the sake of gaining dishonest gain.
28And its prophets have daubed for them with chalk, Seeing a vain thing, and divining for them a lie, Saying, `Thus said the Lord Jehovah:' And Jehovah hath not spoken.
29The people of the land have used oppression, And have taken plunder violently away, And humble and needy have oppressed, And the sojourner oppressed--without judgment.
30And I seek of them a man making a fence, And standing in the breach before Me, In behalf of the land--not to destroy it, And I have not found.
31And I pour out on them mine indignation, By fire of My wrath I have consumed them, Their way on their own head I have put, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah!'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
23And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
24Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
25There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst of her like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they devour souls; they take away treasure and precious things; they increase her widows in the midst of her;
26her priests do violence to my law, and profane my holy things: they put no difference between the holy and profane, neither do they make known [the difference] between the unclean and the clean, and they hide their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
27Her princes in the midst of her are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
28And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered [mortar], seeing vanity and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah! and Jehovah hath not spoken.
29The people of the land use oppression and practise robbery; and they vex the poor and needy, and oppress the stranger wrongfully.
30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the fence, and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.
31And I will pour out mine indignation upon them; I will consume them in the fire of my wrath: their own way will I recompense upon their head, saith the Lord Jehovah.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
23And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
24Son of man, say to her: Thou art a land that is unclean, and not rained upon in the day of wrath.
25There is a conspiracy of prophets in the midst thereof: like a lion that roareth and catcheth the prey, they have devoured souls, they have taken riches and hire, they have made many widows in the midst thereof.
26Her priests have despised my law, and have defiled my sanctuaries: they have put no difference between holy and profane: nor have distinguished between the polluted and the clean: and they have turned away their eyes from my sabbaths, and I was profaned in the midst of them.
27Her princes in the midst of her, are like wolves ravening the prey to shed blood, and to destroy souls, and to run after gains through covetousness.
28And her prophets have daubed them without tempering the mortar, seeing vain things, and divining lies unto them, saying: Thus saith the Lord God: when the Lord hath not spoken.
29The people of the land have used oppression, and committed robbery: they afflicted the needy and poor, and they oppressed the stranger by calumny without judgment.
30And I sought among them for a man that might set up a hedge, and stand in the gap before me in favour of the land, that I might not destroy it: and I found none.
31And I poured out my indignation upon them, in the fire of my wrath I consumed them: I have rendered their way upon their own head, saith the Lord God.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
The opening formula in verse 23 ("Yahweh’s word came to me, saying") identifies this as a distinct prophetic oracle, launching a comprehensive indictment of every level of Israelite society. Commentators across traditions agree on the structure: the land is first declared "not cleansed nor rained on" (v.24), a metaphor for its resistance to both judgment and blessing (Clarke; Jamieson-Fausset-Brown). Then each group is called out in turn, prophets (v.25), priests (v.26), princes (v.27), prophets again (v.28), and the common people (v.29). The Cambridge Bible notes that the listing moves from the highest offices down to the general populace, showing corruption at every level. Keil and Delitzsch observe that this "spread of deep corruption among all classes" makes the coming judgment unavoidable. The climax is verse 30: God sought a man who would “stand in the gap” but found none. All sources agree this means there was no one, whether intercessor like Moses (Ps 106:23) or reforming leader, who could turn back the divine wrath. The judgment of verse 31 is therefore just and total. There is consensus that the oracle functions as a formal declaration of guilt, leaving no room for excuse.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- The “man” as intercessor: Psalm 106:23 and Exodus 32 (Moses standing in the breach) support the idea of prophetic prayer averting wrath.
- The “man” as reforming leader: The context of systemic corruption and the need for someone to 'build up the wall' suggests a leader who would implement practical reformation (Cambridge Bible).
- The LXX variant “princes” in v.25: Some argue the prophets are not indicted until v.28, and v.25 originally referred to civil rulers (Septuagint).
What is clear: All classes of Judah—religious, political, and common—had abandoned their God-given callings, making the nation ripe for judgment, and God could find no one to turn back the tide of destruction.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Structure of the oracle | Commentators agree that verses 24-29 systematically indict every class: prophets, priests, princes, and the common people. The order moves from leadership to general population. | Some (like Cambridge Bible) see the list as concentric, with prophets mentioned twice (vv.25 and 28); others treat v.25 as referring to princes (following the LXX) and v.28 as the true indictment of prophets. |
| Identity of the man in verse 30 | God sought a single person to 'stand in the gap' and turn back judgment. There was none. | Interpreters differ on whether this person is a prophetic intercessor (like Moses) or a reforming leader (like Josiah). Cambridge Bible emphasizes a 'man to interpose, to stem the tide of ruin' (action), while Adam Clarke and others focus on intercessory prayer. Most see both, but the emphasis varies. |
| Meaning of 'not cleansed nor rained on' in verse 24 | The land has not responded to judgment or blessing; it remains spiritually barren. | Some take 'cleansed' literally (no rain to wash away filth) as a figure for impenitence; others see it as a metaphor for the failure of the community to undergo moral purification. The lack of rain may also refer to literal drought as a covenant curse (Deut 28). |
| Whether the people are victims or culpable | The 'people of the land' are included in the indictment (v.29), so they are not innocent. | Some commentators emphasize that the people were oppressed by leaders (as victims), but the text holds them responsible for oppression of the poor and foreigner. The consensus is that corruption had spread downward, making all classes guilty. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The passage belongs to Ezekiel’s prophecies during the final years of the kingdom of Judah, likely before the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC. Ezekiel was already among the exiles in Babylon (from 597 BC), but his messages addressed both the exiles and those still in the land. The “day of indignation” (v.24) refers to the impending destruction by Babylon, seen as God’s instrument of judgment.
Each office mentioned carried specific God-given responsibilities. Prophets were to speak God’s word faithfully; instead, they conspired and devoured souls (v.25). Priests were to “teach the difference between the holy and the common” (Leviticus 10:10), but they violated the law and profaned the holy things (v.26). Princes (royal officials) were to protect the weak; they behaved like wolves, shedding blood for dishonest gain (v.27). Even the “people of the land”, the ordinary citizens who sometimes resisted injustice, had practiced oppression and robbed the poor and foreigner (v.29). The cross-reference to Jeremiah 5:1 (“Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem… if you can find a man… I will pardon it”) shows this was a persistent theme: God sought anyone who could forestall destruction, but none was found.
The metaphor of a land “not cleansed nor rained on” draws on the covenant blessings and curses of Deuteronomy. Rain was a sign of divine favor (Deuteronomy 11:14); withholding it was a curse. The “cleansing” could refer to the land’s purification after idolatry or to the failure of judgment and exile to produce repentance (Matthew Henry). The image of standing in the gap (v.30) echoes Moses’ intercession at the golden calf (Psalm 106:23) and the watchman of Ezekiel 33, but here the need is for someone who would both intercede and lead reformation, and that person was absent.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentary notes a significant textual variant in verse 25. The Masoretic Text reads “conspiracy of her prophets,” but the Septuagint (LXX) reads “princes” in the same verse. Cambridge Bible and others suggest the LXX reading may be original, since the prophets are already addressed in verse 28. However, most commentators follow the MT as it stands, understanding the prophets as the primary conspirators. No other significant textual variants are mentioned in the supplied sources for this passage.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Ezekiel 22:23-31 has been read as a warning against corrupt leadership and a call to intercession. Early Christian writers (such as Jerome) used the passage to admonish clergy who neglected their duties. During the Reformation, commentators like Matthew Henry and John Wesley applied the indictment to the religious and political leaders of their own day, emphasizing that when all ranks are corrupted, judgment is near. The image of “standing in the gap” has been a powerful motif in prayer movements, inspiring believers to intercede for their nations. In modern contexts, the passage is often cited in discussions of systemic sin and the need for righteous governance. Its sobering conclusion, that God found no one, continues to challenge communities to raise up and support gap-standers.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The corruption is total (vv.24-29). Every class, prophets, priests, princes, ordinary people, has abandoned its calling. The land itself remains uncleansed, a sign that no reformation has taken hold.
- God’s search reveals no one (v.30). The Lord looks for a single person to “stand in the gap” and turn back the judgment. The absence is tragic: not one righteous leader or intercessor emerges.
- Judgment falls as a consequence (v.31). Because no one intervened, God pours out wrath. The punishment matches the crime: “their own way I have brought on their heads.”
Five-point outline
- Introductory indictment (v.23-24): The word of the Lord declares the land unclean and unfruitful.
- Prophets and priests fail (vv.25-26): Religious leaders conspire, devour, and confuse holy and common.
- Princes and authorities fail (v.27): Civil rulers act like wolves, destroying for gain.
- The people fail (vv.28-29): The common folk oppress the poor and foreigner.
- Conclusion (vv.30-31): No one stands in the gap, so judgment comes.
Illustration hooks
- A city under siege: every gate, wall tower, and watch post is manned by corrupt officials. The sentry has abandoned his post; no one sees the enemy coming. The leader who could rally the defenders is absent.
- A company or church where every level, from CEO to entry-level, is cutting corners, abusing power, and exploiting the vulnerable. When someone finally calls for integrity, there is no one willing to change.
- The image of a dam cracking: water seeps through. The community looks for a person to patch the breach, but everyone is either too busy with their own interests or afraid to act.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “If God looked for someone to stand in the gap, does He still look for that person today?”
- “How can I be that person in my own family, workplace, or church, without being self-righteous?”
- “What holds us back from being the one who intercedes or reforms when we see failure around us?”
Leading a Discussion
Ezekiel 22:23-31 lays bare a society where every level of leadership and every citizen has abandoned their calling. The result is a land that cannot be cleansed and a God who finds no one to stand in the gap. This passage invites us to examine our own circles, are we part of the problem, or are we willing to be the one who steps forward?
Discussion questions
- Read verses 24-29. What does the description of each group (prophets, priests, princes, people) reveal about the nature of their failure? Why does God single out each group rather than issuing a general judgment?
- The land is called “not cleansed nor rained on.” How does this metaphor connect to the sins of the people? What does it tell us about the result of sustained disobedience?
- Verse 25 says the prophets “devoured souls.” In what ways can religious leaders today cause spiritual and even physical harm?
- Priests were supposed to “discern between the holy and the common” (v.26). When the lines between right and wrong get blurred in a community, what are the consequences?
- Verse 30 says God “sought for a man” to stand in the gap. What kind of person is needed? (Consider both intercessors like Moses and reformers like Josiah.) Why might God have found no one?
- How does this passage challenge our tendency to blame only certain groups (e.g., politicians, church leaders) while excusing our own failures? Which group do you most identify with?
- What would it look like to be “one person” who makes up the hedge and stands in the gap in your current context? What risks might that involve, and what support would you need?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Chronicles 28:22 | In the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more against Yahweh, this same King Ahaz. |
| II Chronicles 36:14 | Moreover all the chiefs of the priests and the people trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted Yahweh’s house which he had made holy in Jerusalem. |
| II Chronicles 36:16 | but they mocked the messengers of God, despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until Yahweh’s wrath arose against his people, until there was no remedy. |
| Isaiah 1:5 | Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. |
| Isaiah 9:13 | Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies. |
| Jeremiah 2:30 | “I have struck your children in vain. They received no correction. Your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. |
| Jeremiah 5:3 | O Yahweh, don’t your eyes look on truth? You have stricken them, but they were not grieved. You have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than a rock. They have refused to return. |
| Jeremiah 6:29 | The bellows blow fiercely. The lead is consumed in the fire. In vain they go on refining, for the wicked are not plucked away. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke stresses that every rank in Israel—priests, princes, prophets, and people—had become corrupt and unfaithful. God looked for even one faithful person to stand between Him and the nation, but no one was found, so judgment was unavoidable.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes identifies the priests’ core failure as misinterpreting the Law, literally doing violence to it by erasing the boundary between holy and unholy. Without a single righteous intercessor to stand in the gap as Moses once did, the whole land was left exposed to judgment. Prince, prophet and priest all proved useless.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator insists that “not cleansed” in this passage means “not rained upon”—rain in the East being a sign of blessing, not washing. In verse 30, the sought “man” is not an intercessor but one who would stand in the breach to turn the nation’s ruin, yet none could be found.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that every class in Israel—prophets, priests, princes and common people—was corrupt and violent. God looked for even one person to stand in the gap and intercede, but found none. Because no intercessor or reformer was found, God’s indignation was poured out without restraint.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB traces a cascade of corruption through every rank in Israel: false prophets, priests who misused the law, princes like ravenous wolves, and finally the common people who oppressed strangers. The devastating climax is that when God looked for someone to intercede and repair the broken wall, no one was found.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch argues that the land addressed is Judah, not Jerusalem, and that the Hebrew word often translated "not cleansed" actually means "not shined upon" by sunlight. They also propose changing "prophets" in verse 25 to "princes" because the description of devouring souls and seizing wealth fits rulers, not prophets.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange stresses that the furnace imagery describes not purification but total annihilation. The house of Israel has become pure dross, containing no silver worth saving. The melting in God's wrath consumes them completely, leaving nothing of value, only destruction.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry reads the opening image as a verdict on unrefined metal: the land was unrefined and so had to be put back into the furnace. All earlier attempts at reformation had failed, leaving judgment as the only means to cleanse what could not be purified any other way.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley traces a total corruption across every class in Israel — prophets, priests, princes, and people all complicit. Each group contributes to the land's ruin through lies, violence, and neglect of God's holy things. God sought even one person to stand in the gap and plead for mercy, but found none.