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.
In thee have they taken {H3947} gifts {H7810} to shed {H8210} blood {H1818}; thou hast taken {H3947} usury {H5392} and increase {H8636}, and thou hast greedily gained {H1214} of thy neighbours {H7453} by extortion {H6233}, and hast forgotten {H7911} me, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.
In you, people take bribes to shed blood; you demand and accept interest on loans; in greed you make profits off your neighbors by extorting them; and you have forgotten me,' says Adonai ELOHIM.
In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.
In thee have they taken bribes to shed blood; thou hast taken interest and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by oppression, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord Jehovah.
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Deuteronomy 27:25
Cursed [be] he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. -
Ezekiel 23:35
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms. -
Micah 7:2
The good [man] is perished out of the earth: and [there is] none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. -
Micah 7:3
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge [asketh] for a reward; and the great [man], he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. -
Jeremiah 2:32
Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number. -
Deuteronomy 16:19
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. -
Psalms 106:21
They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
Context
Ezekiel 22 opens with a scathing indictment of Jerusalem, referred to as the "bloody city" (Ezekiel 22:2), detailing the pervasive corruption and moral decay within its walls. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of God's righteous judgment against a people who had abandoned His covenant. Verse 12 specifically highlights the economic and judicial injustices that permeated society, demonstrating a profound disregard for both divine law and human dignity. The city's leaders and inhabitants were engaged in practices directly forbidden by the Mosaic Law, leading to severe social breakdown and spiritual apostasy.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "usury and increase" translates from the Hebrew terms neshekh (נֶשֶׁךְ) and tarbith (תַּרְבִּית), both referring to interest charged on loans. While neshekh often implies "biting" or oppressive interest, tarbith is more general for any increase. The Law explicitly prohibited Israelites from charging interest to fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:25), especially the poor, emphasizing compassion over profit. "Extortion" comes from the Hebrew 'osheq (עֹשֶׁק), meaning oppression or wrongful gain, highlighting the violent or coercive nature of their illicit profits. The title "Lord GOD" (Adonai Yahweh) emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and His covenant faithfulness, contrasting sharply with His people's faithlessness.
Practical Application
Ezekiel 22:12 remains profoundly relevant today, serving as a powerful warning against the dangers of unchecked greed and spiritual indifference. Society continues to grapple with systemic injustices, where wealth or power can corrupt legal processes ("gifts to shed blood"). Economic exploitation, whether through predatory lending, unfair labor practices, or corporate greed, mirrors the "usury and extortion" condemned here. Ultimately, the verse reminds us that true justice and ethical conduct stem from a vibrant relationship with God. When individuals and societies "forget" God, moral decay often follows, leading to exploitation of the vulnerable and a breakdown of community. This verse calls believers to uphold justice, practice generosity, and remember their covenant with God in all economic and social dealings, advocating for the oppressed as taught in Isaiah 1:17.