Ezekiel 11:6

KJV

Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye have multiplied {H7235} your slain {H2491} in this city {H5892}, and ye have filled {H4390} the streets {H2351} thereof with the slain {H2491}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You have killed many in this city, you have filled its streets with the dead."

Berean Standard Bible

You have multiplied those you killed in this city and filled its streets with the dead.

American Standard Version

Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 11:6 delivers a scathing divine indictment against the corrupt leaders of Jerusalem, accusing them of perpetrating widespread violence and injustice within the city. The verse vividly portrays a city overflowing with victims, a direct consequence of the rulers' oppressive actions, thus justifying the impending judgment and destruction that God is about to unleash upon Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a profound visionary experience granted to Ezekiel while he was among the exiles in Babylon. In [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple"), the prophet is supernaturally transported to Jerusalem to witness the idolatrous abominations being committed in the Temple. Chapter 11 continues this vision, focusing specifically on the city's corrupt leadership. The princes of Jerusalem, identified in [Ezekiel 11:1-2](/ezekiel/11-1 "Ezekiel 11:1-2 - The Princes of the People"), are depicted as arrogant and self-assured, believing Jerusalem to be an impenetrable "pot" protecting its inhabitants from the fires of judgment. However, God reinterprets their metaphor, declaring that the "slain" within the city are indeed the "meat" in the pot, but they are victims of the leaders' internal corruption and violence, not protected residents. This sets the immediate stage for the severe judgment announced against them, culminating in the departure of God's glory from the Temple, symbolizing His abandonment of the city to its fate (cf. [Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18 "Ezekiel 10:18-19 - The Glory Departs")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy (early 6th century BCE), Jerusalem was under significant pressure from the rising Babylonian Empire. The first wave of exiles, including Ezekiel, had already been taken to Babylon in 597 BCE. Despite this, the remaining inhabitants and their leaders in Jerusalem harbored a false sense of security, relying on political alliances and the presence of the Temple as a magical charm against invasion. Culturally, the leaders were expected to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable, as mandated by Mosaic Law. However, they had perverted their roles, engaging in bribery, oppression, and even bloodshed to maintain their power and wealth. The "slain" in this context are not primarily casualties of war but rather victims of judicial murder, internal strife, and the systemic violence perpetrated by the ruling elite against their own people, reflecting a profound societal and spiritual decay that violated the covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 11:6 powerfully underscores several critical themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, it highlights the pervasive **corruption of leadership**, demonstrating how those entrusted with authority had become agents of oppression, leading to the moral decay and ultimate downfall of the nation. Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of **divine judgment** as a righteous response to unrepentant sin; the widespread violence and injustice serve as irrefutable evidence necessitating God's intervention. Thirdly, the verse contributes to the theme of **God's holiness and justice**, revealing that He cannot tolerate such flagrant disregard for human life and covenantal obligations within His chosen city. Finally, it foreshadows the **inevitability of Jerusalem's destruction**, presenting the city not as a secure sanctuary but as a place where the innocent have been slaughtered by their own rulers, making its desolation a just consequence. This grim reality sets the stage for the later promises of restoration and a new covenant in [Ezekiel 36](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - Restoration of Israel"), but only after the full measure of judgment has been poured out.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **multiplied (Hebrew, _râbâh'_):** From H7235, meaning to increase in whatever respect, to make great, or multiply. In this context, it signifies an overwhelming and continuous increase in the number of victims. It's not just that some people were killed, but that the acts of violence and injustice were so frequent and extensive that the number of "slain" had grown exponentially, indicating a systemic and pervasive problem rather than isolated incidents.
* **slain (Hebrew, _châlâl'_):** From H2491, meaning pierced (especially to death) or figuratively, polluted. While often referring to casualties of war, in this prophetic context, it carries the strong connotation of those unjustly murdered or victims of internal strife and violence. The term implies a desecration of life, emphasizing that these deaths were not honorable or accidental, but rather a result of the leaders' corrupt and profaning actions.
* **filled (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** From H4390, meaning to fill or be full of. This word conveys the idea of saturation or complete occupancy. The streets were not merely populated with victims; they were literally "filled" to capacity, creating a grotesque and horrifying scene. This hyperbole underscores the sheer volume of bloodshed and the extent to which the city had become a graveyard due to the leaders' wickedness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye have multiplied your slain in this city":** This clause serves as a direct accusation leveled by God against the leaders of Jerusalem. The "ye" refers specifically to the princes and elders who held power (cf. [Ezekiel 11:1](/ezekiel/11-1 "Ezekiel 11:1 - The Princes of the People")). The phrase "multiplied your slain" indicates that the leaders were directly responsible for a vast number of deaths, not through legitimate warfare, but through oppression, judicial corruption, and violent acts against their own people. It speaks to a pervasive culture of injustice and a profound disregard for human life within the very heart of the holy city.
* **"and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain":** This second clause amplifies the first, using vivid imagery to emphasize the horrific scale of the bloodshed. The "streets" (chûwts) refer to the public thoroughfares and open spaces of the city, implying that the violence was not hidden but openly rampant and visible to all. The repetition of "with the slain" underscores the overwhelming number of victims, suggesting that the city had become a charnel house, a testament to the leaders' depravity and the pervasive nature of their destructive influence. This imagery serves to justify God's impending judgment, as the city's moral decay had reached an unbearable point.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 11:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message. **Repetition** of the word "slain" (châlâl) in both clauses ("multiplied your slain... filled the streets thereof with the slain") serves to emphasize the central horror of the verse: the sheer volume of dead bodies. This repetition also reinforces the direct culpability of the leaders. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrases "multiplied your slain" and "filled the streets thereof," which exaggerate the numbers to underscore the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the violence. While not literally every street might have been filled with corpses, the language conveys a sense of saturation and an unbearable level of bloodshed. This verse also functions as a direct **Indictment** or legal charge, typical of prophetic speech, where God, through His prophet, formally accuses the guilty parties and lays out the grounds for His impending judgment. The vivid imagery creates a strong **Pathos**, evoking horror and disgust at the leaders' actions and the resulting suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 11:6 stands as a stark testament to the profound consequences of corrupt leadership and societal injustice, echoing a consistent biblical theme that God holds those in power accountable for their stewardship. The multiplication of the "slain" due to the leaders' actions demonstrates a perversion of justice and a disregard for the sanctity of life, which are direct affronts to God's character. This verse highlights that true righteousness is not merely about ritualistic observance but about upholding justice, protecting the vulnerable, and valuing human life, especially within the covenant community. When a society, particularly its leadership, descends into such pervasive violence and oppression, it invites divine judgment, as God's holiness cannot tolerate unbridled wickedness. The scene painted is one of a city ripe for destruction, its moral fabric utterly shredded by the very hands meant to protect it.

* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.")
* [Isaiah 1:15](/isaiah/1-15 "Isaiah 1:15 - Hands Full of Blood")
* [Jeremiah 7:6](/jeremiah/7-6 "Jeremiah 7:6 - Do Not Oppress the Alien, the Fatherless, or the Widow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 11:6 serves as a timeless and sobering mirror for any society, reminding us that the health and well-being of a community are inextricably linked to the integrity of its leadership and the pursuit of justice. The "slain" in the streets of Jerusalem represent the victims of systemic oppression, corruption, and the abuse of power. For us today, this verse challenges us to consider where "slain" might exist in our own communities—not always physical deaths, but perhaps the crushed spirits, lost opportunities, or marginalized lives resulting from unjust systems, economic disparities, or unrighteous governance. It calls believers to a prophetic posture, to speak truth to power, to advocate for the vulnerable, and to actively work towards justice and righteousness in every sphere of influence. It also reminds us that true authority, whether in government, business, or the church, is a sacred trust meant for service and protection, not for self-enrichment or oppression. Our responsibility is to pray for righteous leaders, to hold them accountable, and to embody the justice and compassion of God in our daily lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "slain" manifest in our modern cities or communities, beyond physical death, due to injustice or corruption?**
* **How can individuals and the church actively challenge and resist systems of oppression or unrighteous leadership today?**
* **What is my personal responsibility in promoting justice and valuing human life, in light of God's clear indictment against those who cause harm?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "slain" mentioned in Ezekiel 11:6, and why were they killed?**

Answer: The "slain" (Hebrew: _châlâl_) in Ezekiel 11:6 refer primarily to the victims of the corrupt leaders of Jerusalem, not necessarily casualties of war. These were people who had been unjustly killed, murdered, or subjected to fatal oppression and violence by the city's princes and elders. The context of [Ezekiel 11:1-3](/ezekiel/11-1 "Ezekiel 11:1-3 - The Princes and the Pot") indicates that the leaders were using their power to exploit and harm their own people, filling the city with bloodshed and injustice. This widespread internal violence was a major reason for God's impending judgment on Jerusalem.

**What does it mean that the leaders "multiplied" and "filled the streets" with the slain?**

Answer: The terms "multiplied" (Hebrew: _râbâh_) and "filled" (Hebrew: _mâlêʼ_) are used to convey the immense scale and pervasive nature of the violence. "Multiplied" suggests a continuous and escalating pattern of killings, indicating that this was not an isolated incident but a systemic problem. "Filled the streets" (Hebrew: _chûwts_) is a hyperbole emphasizing that the bloodshed was so extensive it seemed to saturate the public spaces of the city. This vivid imagery underscores the profound moral decay and the horrific consequences of the leaders' actions, demonstrating that the city had become a place of rampant injustice and death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 11:6, with its stark depiction of a city filled with the "slain" due to corrupt leadership, finds its ultimate resolution and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The pervasive violence and injustice described in Ezekiel highlight humanity's desperate need for a righteous King and a new heart, themes that are profoundly fulfilled in the New Covenant. While Jerusalem's leaders multiplied death, Christ, the true King of Israel and the Good Shepherd, came not to destroy but to give life, and give it abundantly ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Thief Comes Only to Steal and Kill and Destroy; I Have Come That They May Have Life")). He is the one who, through His own sacrificial death on the cross, took upon Himself the ultimate consequence of human sin and violence, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Unlike the oppressive rulers who filled the streets with the slain, Jesus's sacrifice cleanses us from all unrighteousness, offering forgiveness and reconciliation. Furthermore, the promise in [Ezekiel 11:19](/ezekiel/11-19 "Ezekiel 11:19 - A New Heart and Spirit") of God giving His people "one heart" and a "new spirit" is realized through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, made possible by Christ's finished work. Through Him, God's people are transformed from within, empowered to live righteously and pursue justice, building a kingdom where violence is replaced by peace and oppression by righteousness, ultimately culminating in the new heavens and new earth where there will be no more death or crying ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 7:23

¶ Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.

Ezekiel 22:2

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

Ezekiel 22:6

Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Ezekiel 22:9

In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness.

Ezekiel 22:12

In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 22:27

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