Ezekiel 22:25 - There 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.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ezekiel 22:25" mean?
Ezekiel 22:25 is a scathing indictment of the leadership, both religious and secular, within Jerusalem. Let's break down its meaning phrase by phrase:
"There is a conspiracy of her prophets within it...": This highlights a collaboration or agreement among the prophets in Jerusalem. However, unlike a noble alliance, this conspiracy is for nefarious purposes. They are not acting independently in their own self-interest, but as a coordinated group to abuse their power.
"...like a roaring lion ravening the prey.": This is a powerful metaphor describing the prophets' destructive behavior. Lions are apex predators. Here, they are compared to a lion that is fiercely attacking and tearing apart its prey. This paints a vivid picture of their greed and brutality. They are actively seeking to exploit and harm the people.
"They have devoured souls.": This is a metaphorical expression suggesting that they are spiritually destroying people. It could mean leading them astray from God's teachings or stripping them of their dignity, hope, or moral compass. They are not just causing physical harm but are also corrupting people's hearts and minds.
"They take treasure and precious things.": This speaks to their greed and corruption. They are enriching themselves at the expense of the people they are supposed to be serving. They are abusing their position for personal gain.
"They have made many widows within it.": This indicates that their actions have resulted in the deaths of husbands, leaving women widowed and vulnerable. This could be a direct result of their unjust judgments, their support for wars or violence, or simply their exploitation of the people, leading to poverty and death. The phrase "within it" emphasizes that this is happening inside Jerusalem, corrupting the very heart of the city.
In essence, the verse describes a situation where the prophets, who should have been guiding and protecting the people, were instead exploiting, corrupting, and destroying them. They were conspiring together for their own gain, acting with the ferocity of a lion, and leaving a trail of spiritual and physical devastation in their wake.
The verse is a prophetic lament and condemnation of the moral and spiritual decay within Jerusalem, particularly among its religious leaders. It sets the stage for the judgment that Ezekiel is about to pronounce upon the city. It is important to note that this verse specifically targets the "prophets." While other verses in the chapter condemn princes, priests, and commoners, this verse zeroes in on those who are meant to be spiritual guides and who have failed in their duties.
Ezekiel 22:25 - There 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.
What does "Ezekiel 22:25" mean?
Ezekiel 22:25 is a scathing indictment of the leadership, both religious and secular, within Jerusalem. Let's break down its meaning phrase by phrase:
"There is a conspiracy of her prophets within it...": This highlights a collaboration or agreement among the prophets in Jerusalem. However, unlike a noble alliance, this conspiracy is for nefarious purposes. They are not acting independently in their own self-interest, but as a coordinated group to abuse their power.
"...like a roaring lion ravening the prey.": This is a powerful metaphor describing the prophets' destructive behavior. Lions are apex predators. Here, they are compared to a lion that is fiercely attacking and tearing apart its prey. This paints a vivid picture of their greed and brutality. They are actively seeking to exploit and harm the people.
"They have devoured souls.": This is a metaphorical expression suggesting that they are spiritually destroying people. It could mean leading them astray from God's teachings or stripping them of their dignity, hope, or moral compass. They are not just causing physical harm but are also corrupting people's hearts and minds.
"They take treasure and precious things.": This speaks to their greed and corruption. They are enriching themselves at the expense of the people they are supposed to be serving. They are abusing their position for personal gain.
"They have made many widows within it.": This indicates that their actions have resulted in the deaths of husbands, leaving women widowed and vulnerable. This could be a direct result of their unjust judgments, their support for wars or violence, or simply their exploitation of the people, leading to poverty and death. The phrase "within it" emphasizes that this is happening inside Jerusalem, corrupting the very heart of the city.
In essence, the verse describes a situation where the prophets, who should have been guiding and protecting the people, were instead exploiting, corrupting, and destroying them. They were conspiring together for their own gain, acting with the ferocity of a lion, and leaving a trail of spiritual and physical devastation in their wake.
The verse is a prophetic lament and condemnation of the moral and spiritual decay within Jerusalem, particularly among its religious leaders. It sets the stage for the judgment that Ezekiel is about to pronounce upon the city. It is important to note that this verse specifically targets the "prophets." While other verses in the chapter condemn princes, priests, and commoners, this verse zeroes in on those who are meant to be spiritual guides and who have failed in their duties.