Ezekiel 22:22

As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.

As silver {H3701} is melted {H2046} in the midst {H8432} of the furnace {H3564}, so shall ye be melted {H5413} in the midst {H8432} thereof; and ye shall know {H3045} that I the LORD {H3068} have poured out {H8210} my fury {H2534} upon you.

As silver is melted down in a crucible, so will you be melted down in [Yerushalayim]. Then you will know that it is I, ADONAI, who have poured out my fury on you.'"

As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted within the city. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have poured out My wrath upon you.’”

As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I, Jehovah, have poured out my wrath upon you.

Ezekiel 22:22 delivers a powerful and stark warning to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, particularly its corrupt leaders, using the vivid imagery of a refining furnace. This verse concludes a series of pronouncements detailing the severe judgment God will bring upon the city due to its pervasive sin and moral decay.

Context

Chapter 22 of Ezekiel is a scathing indictment of Jerusalem's widespread corruption. It meticulously lists the sins of its princes, priests, prophets, and people, including bloodshed, idolatry, sexual immorality, oppression of the poor, and perversion of justice. The metaphor of a furnace is introduced earlier in the chapter (Ezekiel 22:18-21), where the people are likened to dross—worthless impurities left over after refining silver. Here, in verse 22, the imagery shifts: instead of being refined, they will be consumed and melted by God's intense wrath, signifying utter destruction rather than purification. This prophecy was given in the years leading up to the final Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a time when the nation was steeped in rebellion against God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The verse unequivocally declares God's active role in bringing judgment. The "furnace" represents the intense suffering and destruction that will come upon Jerusalem, directly poured out by the Lord's "fury." This highlights God's justice in responding to persistent sin.
  • Consequences of Sin: Ezekiel 22:22 serves as a stark reminder that sin, especially systemic corruption and injustice, has severe consequences. The melting signifies a complete breakdown and dissolution of the nation under the weight of its transgressions.
  • God's Sovereignty and Recognition: The phrase "ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you" emphasizes God's sovereign control over historical events. The judgment itself will serve as a revelation, forcing the people to acknowledge the Lord's power and righteous character, a common theme in Ezekiel's prophecies (e.g., "then shall they know that I am the LORD").

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "melted" (*nathak*) signifies to pour out, melt, or flow. It conveys a sense of complete dissolution and disintegration under extreme heat. The word translated "fury" (*chemah* or *'eph* in related contexts) denotes a burning, intense anger, often associated with God's righteous indignation against sin. The combination of these words paints a vivid picture of overwhelming and inescapable divine wrath.

Practical Application

While specific to ancient Judah, the principles in Ezekiel 22:22 remain relevant. It serves as a timeless warning that God is not indifferent to sin, corruption, and injustice, whether in individuals or nations. It calls for:

  • Self-Examination: A reminder for individuals and communities to examine their ways and repent of sin before judgment comes.
  • God's Justice: Reassurance that God is ultimately just and will hold all accountable for their actions, even when it seems injustice prevails.
  • Call to Repentance: The severe consequences underscore the urgency of turning away from sin and seeking God's mercy. The Lord's desire is always for people to turn from their wicked ways and live (Ezekiel 18:32).

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 20:8

    But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

  • Ezekiel 20:33

    ¶ [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:

  • Hosea 5:10

    The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: [therefore] I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.

  • Revelation 16:1

    ¶ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

  • Ezekiel 22:31

    Therefore 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.

  • 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.

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