Ezekiel 22:16

And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD.

And thou shalt take thine inheritance {H2490}{H5157} in thyself in the sight {H5869} of the heathen {H1471}, and thou shalt know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

and you will cause yourselves to be profaned in full view of the Goyim. Then you will know that I am ADONAI.'"

And when you have defiled yourself in the eyes of the nations, then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

And thou shalt be profaned in thyself, in the sight of the nations; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary on Ezekiel 22:16 (KJV)

Ezekiel 22:16 is a stern declaration of divine judgment against Jerusalem, underscoring the severe consequences of its deep-seated sin and idolatry. The verse highlights the public nature of this judgment and its ultimate purpose: to reveal God's undeniable sovereignty.

Context

Ezekiel chapter 22 is a powerful and graphic indictment of Jerusalem, referred to as the "bloody city" (verse 2). The prophet Ezekiel, ministering during the Babylonian exile, conveys God's charges against the city's corrupt leadership and its people. Their sins include idolatry, bloodshed, oppression of the vulnerable, sexual immorality, and profaning holy things. God declares His intention to gather them into the city as metal into a furnace, melting away their impurities through judgment (verses 18-22). Verse 15 speaks of scattering them "among the heathen" and dispersing them "in the countries" to consume their filthiness. Verse 16 directly follows, describing the outcome of this dispersion and defilement.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Self-Inflicted Consequences: The phrase "And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself" is particularly striking. While "inheritance" (Hebrew: nachalah) typically refers to a positive possession or land given by God, here it is tragically inverted. Jerusalem's "inheritance" will be its own shame, desolation, and the bitter fruit of its unrighteous actions. It signifies that the consequences of their sin are not external impositions but internal realities, a direct result of their choices.
  • Public Humiliation: The judgment is not private but "in the sight of the heathen." This public display serves multiple purposes: it vindicates God's justice before the surrounding nations, who may have mocked or questioned His power, and it adds to the humiliation of a people who once boasted of their unique relationship with God.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Revelation: The recurring declaration, "and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD," is a cornerstone of Ezekiel's prophecy. Through judgment, and later through restoration, God reveals His true identity as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who is just, powerful, and utterly sovereign. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential, forced upon them by the unfolding of His will. This theme is central to God's dealings with His people, as seen in many passages, including Ezekiel 6:7 and Ezekiel 36:23.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "inheritance," nachalah (נַחֲלָה), fundamentally means "possession" or "portion." Its use here, in the context of judgment ("in thyself"), creates a powerful irony. Instead of inheriting a blessed land from God, they inherit their own ruin and defilement. The phrase "know that I am the LORD" uses the Hebrew verb yadah (יָדַע), which implies a deep, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual understanding. This knowledge comes through God's active intervention in history.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 22:16 serves as a timeless warning that sin has consequences, often self-inflicted and publicly manifest. It reminds us that God's justice is unwavering, and His character will ultimately be revealed through His actions. For believers today, this verse emphasizes the importance of living righteously, not only for personal well-being but also for the sake of God's name among the nations. Our actions reflect on the God we serve. Ultimately, God's purpose, even through difficult circumstances, is to make His sovereign character known to all creation, prompting humility and reverence.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 6:7

    And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 7:24

    Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled.

  • Psalms 83:18

    That [men] may know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth.

  • 1 Kings 20:28

    And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD [is] God of the hills, but he [is] not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Psalms 9:16

    The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

  • Ezekiel 39:28

    Then shall they know that I [am] the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

  • Daniel 4:32

    And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling [shall be] with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

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