Ezekiel 22:24

Son of man, say unto her, Thou [art] the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, say {H559} unto her, Thou art the land {H776} that is not cleansed {H2891}, nor rained {H1656} upon in the day {H3117} of indignation {H2195}.

"Human being, tell her this: 'You are a land that is neither cleansed nor rained on in the day of fury.

β€œSon of man, say to her, β€˜In the day of indignation, you are a land that has not been cleansed, upon which no rain has fallen.’

Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.

Commentary

Ezekiel 22:24 is a stark prophetic declaration from God to the land of Judah (symbolizing Jerusalem and its inhabitants) through the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing its profound spiritual degradation and impending judgment.

Context

This verse is part of a broader indictment against Jerusalem in Ezekiel chapter 22, where God meticulously lists the city's rampant sins. These transgressions include bloodshed, idolatry, oppression of the weak, sexual immorality, and corruption among its leaders, priests, and prophets (see Ezekiel 22:6-12). The "day of indignation" refers to the impending Babylonian invasion and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which God orchestrates as a divine judgment against their pervasive wickedness. The land is not merely physically unclean, but deeply defiled by the moral and spiritual abominations of its people, leading to a state of spiritual barrenness.

Key Themes

  • Profound Impurity and Unrepentance: The phrase "not cleansed" highlights the deep-seated moral and spiritual defilement of the land and its people. Despite repeated warnings and opportunities for repentance, they remained mired in sin, refusing purification.
  • Absence of Divine Favor and Cleansing: "Nor rained upon in the day of indignation" is a powerful metaphor. Rain often symbolizes God's blessing, refreshment, and spiritual renewal in biblical literature. Its absence during a time of judgment signifies that no grace, mercy, or opportunity for spiritual cleansing will be afforded. The land will experience a complete spiritual drought, left parched and without relief from God's wrath, indicating a severe and unmitigated judgment. This contrasts sharply with God's desire for His people to be a cleansed and purified nation.
  • Inevitable Judgment: The verse underscores the certainty of God's righteous judgment when sin becomes pervasive and unrepentant. The "day of indignation" is a time when God's justice will be fully executed without restraint.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "day of indignation" is yom za'am (יום זגם), which conveys a strong sense of divine wrath, fury, and intense displeasure. It's not merely a day of trouble, but a day characterized by God's fierce anger being poured out. The term "cleansed" (tohora, Χ˜Χ”Χ¨Χ”) implies ritual and moral purity, emphasizing that the land, through its inhabitants' actions, had failed to meet God's holy standards and had not undergone any process of purification.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 22:24 serves as a solemn warning that unrepentant sin leads to severe consequences. For individuals and nations today, it highlights:

  • The importance of spiritual purity and actively seeking God's forgiveness and cleansing from sin.
  • The reality of divine justice. While God is merciful and patient, He is also holy and righteous, and persistent rebellion will eventually face His judgment.
  • The need to respond to God's warnings and calls for repentance before the "day of indignation" arrives, whether in personal life or on a national scale. Just as Jerusalem faced a spiritual drought, we must ensure we are not cut off from the refreshing "rain" of God's grace and Spirit. For further insights into God's wrath poured out, consider Ezekiel 22:31.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 28:22

    And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this [is that] king Ahaz.

  • Isaiah 1:5

    Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

  • Jeremiah 2:30

    In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:14

    Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:16

    But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

  • Isaiah 9:13

    For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

  • Jeremiah 44:16

    [As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
← Back