Ezekiel 22:7

In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.

In thee have they set light {H7043} by father {H1} and mother {H517}: in the midst {H8432} of thee have they dealt {H6213} by oppression {H6233} with the stranger {H1616}: in thee have they vexed {H3238} the fatherless {H3490} and the widow {H490}.

In you, they make light of fathers and mothers, they oppress foreigners, they wrong orphans and widows.

Father and mother are treated with contempt. Within your walls the foreign resident is exploited, the fatherless and the widow are oppressed.

In thee have they set light by father and mother; in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the sojourner; in thee have they wronged the fatherless and the widow.

Commentary on Ezekiel 22:7 (KJV)

Ezekiel 22:7 is a stark indictment of the moral decay and social injustice rampant in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, during the time of the prophet Ezekiel. This verse is part of a larger oracle detailing the city's manifold sins that have provoked God's wrath and led to its impending judgment and destruction.

Context

Chapter 22 of Ezekiel vividly portrays Jerusalem as a "bloody city," a metaphor for its pervasive violence, idolatry, and corruption. The prophet lists a litany of transgressions committed by its inhabitants, leaders, priests, and princes, all of which represent a direct defiance of God's covenant and the Mosaic Law. This particular verse focuses on three specific categories of social injustice that highlight a profound disregard for both divine commands and basic human dignity.

Key Themes

  • Disregard for Parental Authority: The phrase "set light by father and mother" signifies a profound disrespect and dishonor shown to parents. This directly violates the Fifth Commandment, which calls for honoring one's father and mother. It indicates a breakdown of foundational family structures and moral order within society.
  • Oppression of the Vulnerable: The verse highlights the mistreatment of the "stranger," "fatherless," and "widow." In ancient Israelite society, these groups were often the most vulnerable, lacking familial or tribal protection. God's Law repeatedly commands special care and justice for them, making their oppression a particularly heinous sin. This speaks to a systemic failure of social justice and compassion within the city.
  • Violation of God's Law: Each of these sins represents a clear transgression of the covenant established between God and Israel. The Law mandated respect for elders and specific protections for the marginalized, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 24:17 and Zechariah 7:10. The rampant disregard for these commands underscored Judah's moral bankruptcy.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong language to convey the severity of the sins:

  • "Set light by" (Hebrew: qalal) implies treating something as insignificant, despising, or making light of it. It’s a deliberate act of dishonor.
  • "Oppression" (Hebrew: ‘osheq) refers to extortion, wrongful gain, or violent injustice, particularly through exploitation.
  • "Vexed" (Hebrew: yanah) means to afflict, oppress, or cause distress and grief, often through harassment or ill-treatment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 22:7 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of societal decay when fundamental moral principles are abandoned. It reminds us that:

  • Respect for Authority: The family unit and respect for elders remain crucial for a stable society. Disregard for parents can be a symptom of broader societal unraveling.
  • Care for the Vulnerable: A just society is measured by how it treats its weakest members. The call to protect the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow resonates strongly today, urging compassion for immigrants, orphans, widows, and all who are marginalized or defenseless.
  • Accountability for Injustice: God holds individuals and nations accountable for their actions, particularly for systemic injustice. This verse challenges us to examine our own communities and advocate for those who are oppressed, lest we face the consequences of divine judgment, as outlined later in the chapter in Ezekiel 22:31.

The message of Ezekiel 22:7 is a powerful call to uphold righteousness, pursue justice, and show compassion, reflecting God's own character.

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.

  • Deuteronomy 27:16

    Cursed [be] he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  • Exodus 22:21

    Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

  • Exodus 22:22

    Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

  • Jeremiah 7:6

    [If] ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

  • Leviticus 20:9

    For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood [shall be] upon him.

  • Zechariah 7:10

    And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

  • Malachi 3:5

    And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

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