Ezekiel 22:9

KJV

In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness.

KJV (with Strong's)

In thee are men {H582} that carry tales {H7400} to shed {H8210} blood {H1818}: and in thee they eat {H398} upon the mountains {H2022}: in the midst {H8432} of thee they commit {H6213} lewdness {H2154}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In you, people gossip to the point of inciting bloodshed; in you are those who go to eat on the mountains; in you, they commit lewd acts;

Berean Standard Bible

Among you are slanderous men bent on bloodshed; within you are those who eat on the mountain shrines and commit acts of indecency.

American Standard Version

Slanderous men have been in thee to shed blood; and in thee they have eaten upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they have committed lewdness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 22:9 delivers a searing indictment against Jerusalem, exposing the profound moral and spiritual decay that permeated its society. The verse details three specific categories of egregious sin: the malicious spread of slander leading to violence, the widespread practice of idolatry through pagan feasts on high places, and rampant sexual immorality. This comprehensive list of transgressions serves as a stark justification for the impending divine judgment upon the city, underscoring the depth of its rebellion against God's covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 22 is a powerful "bloody city" oracle, forming a central part of Ezekiel's prophecies against Judah and Jerusalem during the Babylonian exile. Preceding this verse, the prophet has already established Jerusalem's guilt, declaring it a city that "sheds blood in her midst" [Ezekiel 22:3](/ezekiel/22-3 "Ezekiel 22:3 - The Bloody City"). The chapter systematically lists a litany of transgressions committed by various segments of society—from princes and priests to common people and prophets—demonstrating the pervasive corruption that justified God's wrath and the impending destruction. Verse 9 specifically elaborates on the nature of this societal depravity, providing concrete examples of the moral decay that had taken root, moving from interpersonal violence to spiritual infidelity and sexual perversion, all contributing to the city's overflowing cup of iniquity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel ministered to the exiles in Babylon, but his messages often targeted the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem, who clung to a false sense of security. The period leading up to Jerusalem's final destruction in 586 BC was marked by political instability, spiritual apostasy, and moral decline. The "mountains" mentioned in the verse refer to the "high places" (_bamoth_), elevated sites where Canaanite and other pagan deities were worshipped through sacrifices and ritualistic feasts. Despite repeated prophetic warnings and reforms by kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, the practice of syncretistic worship and outright idolatry persisted, often intertwined with sexual rites. The social fabric was further torn by injustice, as the powerful exploited the weak, and malicious slander could easily lead to false accusations, legal perversions, and even death. The sins listed in [Ezekiel 22:9](/ezekiel/22-9 "Ezekiel 22:9 - Sins of Jerusalem") reflect a society that had systematically abandoned the Mosaic Covenant, embracing the detestable practices of the surrounding nations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Justice**, demonstrating that God's wrath is not arbitrary but a righteous response to persistent and pervasive sin. The detailed enumeration of specific transgressions underscores the justice of Jerusalem's impending doom. Secondly, it emphasizes **Covenant Faithfulness and Apostasy**. The sins described—idolatry, violence, and sexual immorality—are direct violations of the Mosaic Law and the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. The "eating upon the mountains" directly speaks to Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, a recurring theme of harlotry against God found throughout the prophets, such as in [Hosea 4:13](/hosea/4-13 "Hosea 4:13 - Idolatry on the Mountains"). Thirdly, the verse exposes the theme of **Societal Corruption**, illustrating how sin permeates all levels of society, from public acts of worship to private moral conduct. The interconnectedness of slander, violence, idolatry, and lewdness reveals a deeply diseased spiritual and moral landscape, echoing the widespread corruption described in [Isaiah 1:4-6](/isaiah/1-4 "Isaiah 1:4 - The Corrupt Nation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **râkîyl (Hebrew, _râkîyl'_):** This term, translated "carry tales," refers to a scandal-monger or talebearer. It implies one who travels about, spreading malicious gossip or slander. In the context of [Ezekiel 22:9](/ezekiel/22-9 "Ezekiel 22:9 - Slander and Violence"), it's not merely idle chatter but information disseminated with destructive intent, directly leading to violence, injustice, or even murder, hence "to shed blood." It highlights the insidious power of words weaponized for harm.
* **dâm (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** Meaning "blood," this word carries profound theological weight. When used in the context of "shed blood," it refers to the taking of life, whether human or animal. The phrase "to shed blood" (H8210 `shâphak` + H1818 `dâm`) signifies violent death, often murder. In [Ezekiel 22:9](/ezekiel/22-9 "Ezekiel 22:9 - Bloodshed"), it points to the ultimate consequence of malicious tales and the pervasive disregard for the sanctity of human life within Jerusalem. The accumulation of "bloodshed" is a primary reason for God's judgment on the city.
* **zimmâh (Hebrew, _zimmâh'_):** Translated "lewdness," this powerful term denotes a plan, especially a bad one, or a heinous crime. It often refers to premeditated and outrageous wickedness, particularly in the realm of sexual depravity, including prostitution, incest, and other illicit sexual acts. Its use in [Ezekiel 22:9](/ezekiel/22-9 "Ezekiel 22:9 - Lewdness") emphasizes the deep moral decay and the flagrant disregard for God's laws concerning purity and sexuality, often associated with the fertility cults of pagan worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood":** This clause condemns the pervasive practice of malicious slander and false accusations that directly resulted in violence and murder. It speaks to a society where words were weaponized, leading to unjust convictions, assassinations, or mob violence. The "men" (H582 `ʼĕnôwsh`) here are mortals, highlighting the human agency in this destructive behavior.
* **"and in thee they eat upon the mountains":** This refers to the widespread idolatry practiced by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. "Eating upon the mountains" (H2022 `har`) is a direct reference to participating in pagan sacrificial feasts and rituals conducted at "high places." These acts were a profound betrayal of the covenant with Yahweh, symbolizing spiritual infidelity and the worship of foreign gods, often involving immoral rites.
* **"in the midst of thee they commit lewdness":** This final clause points to rampant sexual immorality and depravity within the city. "Lewdness" (H2154 `zimmâh`) signifies a deep moral corruption, encompassing various illicit sexual acts, often associated with the fertility cults mentioned in the previous clause. The phrase "in the midst of thee" (H8432 `tâvek`) emphasizes the pervasive nature of this sin, indicating that it was not isolated but endemic to the very core of Jerusalem's society.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 22:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of severe judgment. The entire chapter, including this verse, functions as an extended **Indictment**, systematically listing the charges against Jerusalem to justify God's impending wrath. The phrase "men that carry tales to shed blood" uses **Metonymy**, where "shed blood" stands for murder or violent death, directly linking slander to its fatal consequences. The explicit mention of "eating upon the mountains" is a form of **Symbolism**, where the physical act represents the spiritual apostasy of idolatry and covenant breaking. Furthermore, the cumulative effect of listing these distinct yet interconnected sins—slander/violence, idolatry, and sexual immorality—creates a powerful sense of **Accumulation** or **Anaphora** (though not strictly word repetition, the repeated structure of "in thee" or "in the midst of thee" emphasizes the pervasive nature of sin), underscoring the comprehensive moral decay of the city. The stark and unvarnished language throughout the verse contributes to its **Didactic** purpose, serving as a clear warning and explanation for the coming judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 22:9 profoundly illustrates the interconnectedness of various forms of sin—social injustice, spiritual apostasy, and moral depravity—and their inevitable consequence of divine judgment. It underscores God's unwavering holiness and His demand for exclusive worship and righteous living from His covenant people. The verse reveals that God does not tolerate a superficial adherence to rituals while the heart and actions are steeped in rebellion. The specific sins mentioned—malicious speech leading to violence, idolatry, and sexual immorality—are fundamental violations of the Decalogue and the broader Mosaic Law, demonstrating how a society's departure from God's standards in one area inevitably leads to decay in others. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that true faith must manifest in both vertical loyalty to God and horizontal righteousness in human relationships.

* [Exodus 20:3-6](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-6 - The First Commandment") - Directly condemns idolatry, which is represented by "eating upon the mountains."
* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Power of Life and Death in the Tongue") - Reinforces the destructive power of words, connecting to "men that carry tales to shed blood."
* [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Land Vomits Out Inhabitants") - Warns that the land itself becomes defiled by sexual immorality and "lewdness," leading to the expulsion of its inhabitants.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 22:9 offers a sobering mirror for self-examination and societal critique, even in contemporary contexts. The sins condemned—malicious speech, idolatry, and sexual immorality—are not confined to ancient Jerusalem but manifest in various forms today. We are called to consider the profound impact of our words, recognizing that gossip, slander, and divisive rhetoric can destroy reputations, relationships, and even lives, leading to a form of "bloodshed" in the social sphere. Furthermore, the call to undivided worship challenges us to identify and dismantle any "high places" in our own lives—anything or anyone that competes for the ultimate allegiance due only to God. This can include materialism, career ambition, self-image, or even spiritual practices that subtly displace God's centrality. Finally, the condemnation of "lewdness" calls for a commitment to moral purity and sexual integrity, upholding God's design for human sexuality in a world often saturated with moral relativism. This verse compels us to live lives marked by integrity, truth, and exclusive devotion to God, understanding that true spiritual health is reflected in both our worship and our conduct.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "carrying tales to shed blood" manifest in our modern society or even in our personal interactions?**
* **What are the "mountains" or "high places" in our contemporary culture that compete for our ultimate worship and devotion, drawing us away from God?**
* **How does the pervasive nature of "lewdness" in society challenge believers to uphold God's standards for purity and sexuality?**
* **What steps can individuals and communities take to foster environments of truth, justice, and moral integrity, countering the sins highlighted in this verse?**

### FAQ
**What does "eat upon the mountains" specifically refer to?**

Answer: "Eating upon the mountains" refers to the practice of participating in pagan sacrificial feasts and rituals conducted at "high places" (_bamoth_ in Hebrew). These elevated sites were designated for the worship of foreign deities, often involving idolatrous sacrifices, ritual prostitution, and other detestable practices that were anathema to the covenant God of Israel. It represents a profound act of spiritual infidelity and a direct violation of the First and Second Commandments, which forbid the worship of other gods and the making of idols. This practice was a recurring sin throughout Israel's history, frequently condemned by the prophets.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 22:9, with its stark portrayal of Jerusalem's pervasive sin, foreshadows the absolute necessity of a perfect sacrifice and a new covenant. The city's inability to cleanse itself from the "bloodshed," idolatry, and lewdness underscores humanity's deep-seated sin problem, which no amount of law-keeping or prophetic warning could ultimately rectify. This verse points to the profound truth that only a divine intervention could atone for such widespread iniquity. Jesus Christ, as the ultimate [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the sacrificial system by shedding His own innocent blood, not to condemn, but to cleanse humanity from all sin. His atoning death on the cross addresses the "bloodshed" of human sin, offering forgiveness and reconciliation. Furthermore, Christ's work inaugurates a new covenant, where the law is written on the heart by the Holy Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")), enabling believers to worship God in spirit and truth, free from the idolatry of "eating upon the mountains" and empowered to live lives of purity, rather than "lewdness." Through Christ, the judgment due to sin is absorbed, and a path to true righteousness and spiritual transformation is opened, fulfilling the deepest need exposed by Ezekiel's lament.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 4:14

I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people [that] doth not understand shall fall.

Hosea 4:2

By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

Leviticus 19:16

Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I [am] the LORD.

Hosea 4:10

For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.

Ezekiel 16:43

Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these [things]; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon [thine] head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

Ezekiel 18:6

[And] hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

Ezekiel 18:11

And that doeth not any of those [duties], but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,