Ezekiel 7:22

KJV

My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret [place]: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.

KJV (with Strong's)

My face {H6440} will I turn {H5437} also from them, and they shall pollute {H2490} my secret {H6845} place: for the robbers {H6530} shall enter {H935} into it, and defile {H2490} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will turn my face away from them; then [Bavel] will profane my secret place, robbers will enter and profane it.

Berean Standard Bible

I will turn My face away from them, and they will defile My treasured place. Violent men will enter it, and they will defile it.

American Standard Version

My face will I turn also from them, and they shall profane my secret place; and robbers shall enter into it, and profane it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 7:22 pronounces a severe judgment from God upon Israel, specifically Jerusalem, declaring His deliberate withdrawal of divine protection and presence. This withdrawal paves the way for the desecration of His most sacred dwelling place, the Temple, by invading foreign forces, referred to as "robbers." The verse underscores the profound consequences of Israel's persistent idolatry and moral corruption, signaling the end of an era of divine forbearance and the onset of comprehensive, inescapable judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 7:22 is situated within a sweeping prophecy of judgment against the land of Israel, particularly Jerusalem, for its pervasive sin. The chapter opens with the declaration, "An end is come, the end is come; it watches for thee; behold, it is come" [Ezekiel 7:6](/ezekiel/7-6 "Ezekiel 7:6 - The Imminence of Judgment"), emphasizing the finality and immediacy of God's wrath. This verse follows descriptions of widespread violence, idolatry, and moral decay, which have provoked God's fury. The turning away of God's face and the subsequent defilement of the "secret place" (the Temple) are climactic expressions of this judgment, directly preceding the lament over the destruction and the scattering of the people in the subsequent verses of the chapter, such as [Ezekiel 7:23](/ezekiel/7-23 "Ezekiel 7:23 - The Land Full of Bloodshed"). It also connects to earlier visions of God's glory departing the Temple in [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Departure of God's Glory"), indicating that the physical desecration is a consequence of a prior spiritual abandonment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 7 was delivered during the Babylonian exile, specifically after the first deportation of Judah's elite in 597 BC, but before the final destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC. The "robbers" mentioned are the Babylonian armies, instruments of God's judgment. For the Israelites, the Temple in Jerusalem was not merely a building but the very dwelling place of Yahweh, the visible sign of His covenant presence among His people. The Holy of Holies, the "secret place," was the most sacred area, accessible only to the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. Its defilement by foreign, pagan invaders was the ultimate affront, a profound theological and national catastrophe that signified God's utter rejection of His people's unholy practices and the breaking of the covenant. This act of desecration was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, where conquering armies would defile the temples of vanquished gods to demonstrate their deity's superiority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that God is not bound by a physical structure, even His own Temple, if His people persist in rebellion; He will execute righteous judgment. Secondly, the phrase "My face will I turn also from them" underscores the theme of **Divine Withdrawal**, a terrifying consequence of covenant unfaithfulness, contrasting sharply with the blessing of God lifting His countenance upon His people as seen in [Numbers 6:26](/numbers/6-26 "Numbers 6:26 - The Priestly Blessing"). Thirdly, the profanation of the Temple emphasizes the **Holiness of God** and the severe consequences of its violation. The Temple, intended to be a sanctuary of purity, had been defiled by the people's idolatry (as seen in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple")), leading to its eventual physical desecration by outsiders. This illustrates that outward religious observance without inward purity is an abomination to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From H6440, this word literally means "the face," but it carries a profound theological weight, often signifying God's presence, favor, or direct attention. When God turns His face away, it implies a deliberate withdrawal of His protective gaze, His blessing, and His intimate communion. It is an act of judicial abandonment, leaving His people exposed and vulnerable to the consequences of their sin.
* **pollute/defile (Hebrew, _châlal'_):** From H2490, this primitive root means "to bore" or "to wound," and figuratively, "to profane," "desecrate," or "make common." It signifies the stripping away of holiness, treating something sacred as ordinary or unclean. In this context, it describes the act of foreign invaders violating the sanctity of the Temple, reducing it from a holy sanctuary to a common, defiled place. The repetition of this word ("pollute" and "defile") emphasizes the totality and severity of the desecration.
* **secret place (Hebrew, _tsâphan'_):** From H6845, this word means "to hide (by covering over)," "to hoard," or "to reserve." In this specific context, "my secret place" refers to the Holy of Holies (the _Debir_), the innermost sanctuary of the Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant resided and where God's presence was uniquely manifested. It was a place of ultimate sanctity, hidden from public view, symbolizing God's ineffable holiness and His exclusive dwelling among His people. Its profanation represents the ultimate insult and the complete breakdown of the covenant relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My face will I turn also from them":** This clause signifies God's deliberate and decisive act of withdrawal. It is a judicial turning away, indicating the cessation of His protective presence, favor, and direct involvement in their defense. This is not an act of ignorance or indifference, but a conscious decision to abandon those who have persistently abandoned Him through their idolatry and unfaithfulness. It implies that the covenant relationship, which guaranteed divine protection, has been irrevocably broken by Israel's actions.
* **"and they shall pollute my secret [place]:"** This clause describes the direct consequence of God's withdrawal. "They" refers to the foreign invaders, instruments of God's judgment. "My secret [place]" is the Holy of Holies within the Temple, the most sacred space on earth, where God's presence was uniquely manifest. To "pollute" (or profane) it means to treat it as common, to strip it of its holiness, and to violate its sanctity. This profanation is not merely a physical act but a profound theological statement: God permits the desecration of His earthly dwelling because His people have already defiled it spiritually through their sin.
* **"for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it."** This final clause provides the specific means by which the "secret place" will be polluted. The "robbers" (Hebrew: _pᵉrîyts_, H6530, meaning "violent," "tyrant," "destroyer") are the invading Babylonian armies. Their "entering" into the Holy of Holies, a place forbidden to all but the High Priest, and their subsequent "defilement" of it, underscores the complete collapse of Israel's security and the utter humiliation of their religious institutions. This act symbolizes the ultimate judgment: God's own sanctuary, the symbol of His covenant, is handed over to pagan defilement because of His people's persistent rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 7:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. The phrase "My face will I turn also from them" is a powerful example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (turning one's face) to God to make His actions comprehensible. This specific anthropomorphism signifies divine abandonment and the withdrawal of favor, contrasting sharply with the blessing of God "lifting up His countenance" upon His people. The "secret [place]" functions as a potent **Symbolism** for the Temple, and more specifically, the Holy of Holies, representing the very presence and holiness of God among His people. Its promised defilement is a symbolic representation of the complete breakdown of the covenant and the spiritual defilement that Israel had already perpetrated. The use of "robbers" is a form of **Metonymy**, where the instrument (the robbers/Babylonian army) stands for the action or consequence (the destruction and defilement). The entire verse is steeped in **Irony**, as the very place meant to be a sanctuary of holiness and protection becomes the site of ultimate desecration due to the people's unholiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 7:22 powerfully articulates the theological principle that divine presence and protection are conditional upon covenant faithfulness. God's turning away His face is the ultimate expression of His righteous judgment against persistent idolatry and moral corruption. It demonstrates that God's holiness demands a response of purity and devotion from His people, and when that is absent, even the most sacred symbols or places—like the Temple—cannot shield them from the consequences of their rebellion. The defilement of the "secret place" underscores the profound truth that God is not confined to a building, and His glory can and will depart from a people who profane His name and His dwelling place through their sin. This serves as a stark warning that outward religious observance without inward spiritual integrity is an abomination to the Lord.

* [Leviticus 26:30-33](/leviticus/26-30 "Leviticus 26:30-33 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah 7:1-15 - The Temple Sermon")
* [Psalm 78:58-61](/psalms/78-58 "Psalm 78:58-61 - God's Abandonment of Shiloh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 7:22 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of God's unwavering holiness and the serious consequences of spiritual compromise. While we no longer have a physical Temple like the one in Jerusalem, the New Testament teaches that believers are now the [temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit") and that the Church collectively is God's dwelling place. This calls us to a profound reverence for God's presence within us and among us. Persistent sin, especially idolatry—which can manifest as anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts—can lead to a sense of God's withdrawal, a diminished awareness of His presence, and a loss of His manifest blessing in our lives. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and communities, ensuring that we are not profaning God's dwelling place through unholy living, spiritual apathy, or the worship of created things. It compels us to pursue holiness and purity, guarding our spiritual lives and relationships from anything that would defile the sacred space God has made within us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently "turning God's face away" through unconfessed sin or spiritual compromise?**
* **How does the concept of believers as the "temple of the Holy Spirit" influence my understanding of personal holiness and purity?**
* **What "idols" or competing allegiances might be subtly defiling the "secret place" of my heart, hindering my communion with God?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater reverence for God's presence in my daily life and in the corporate worship of the Church?**

### FAQ

**What does "My face will I turn also from them" mean in this context?**
Answer: This phrase signifies God's deliberate and judicial withdrawal of His protective presence, favor, and intimate communion from His people. It is an act of divine abandonment, not out of indifference, but as a righteous judgment for their persistent rebellion, idolatry, and covenant unfaithfulness. It means God will no longer intervene to protect them from their enemies or the consequences of their sin, leaving them exposed to destruction. This contrasts with the blessing of God "making His face shine upon you" found in [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing").

**What is "my secret place" referring to, and why is its defilement so significant?**
Answer: "My secret place" refers to the Holy of Holies (the _Debir_) within the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the innermost sanctuary, the most sacred space on earth, where the Ark of the Covenant resided and where God's presence was uniquely manifested. Its defilement by foreign invaders was profoundly significant because it symbolized the ultimate breakdown of the covenant relationship, God's permission for His own earthly dwelling to be desecrated due to His people's spiritual defilement (as seen in [Ezekiel 8:5-18](/ezekiel/8-5 "Ezekiel 8:5-18 - Abominations in the Temple")). It represented the complete loss of divine protection and the ultimate humiliation for Israel.

**Who are the "robbers" mentioned in the verse?**
Answer: The "robbers" (Hebrew: _pᵉrîyts_) refer to the invading Babylonian armies. God, in His sovereign judgment, used these foreign, pagan forces as instruments to execute His wrath upon Judah for their unfaithfulness. Their entry into and defilement of the Temple was the physical manifestation of the spiritual defilement that Israel had already brought upon God's house through their idolatry and sin. This act fulfilled prophecies of judgment, such as those found in [Jeremiah 25:9-11](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9-11 - Seventy Years of Exile").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 7:22, with its stark portrayal of God's turning away from a defiled Temple and people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a repeated act of judgment, but in the radical redefinition of God's dwelling and presence. The Old Testament Temple, though sacred, was ultimately a shadow of the true sanctuary. In the New Covenant, Jesus Christ declares Himself the new Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" [John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the New Temple"). His body, broken on the cross, was the ultimate "secret place" profaned by human sin, yet it was through this very act that He cleansed humanity and opened a new and living way into God's presence. Furthermore, through Christ, believers become the [temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit"), and the Church is built together as a [holy temple in the Lord](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21 - The Church as a Holy Temple"). Thus, while God turned His face from a rebellious Israel and allowed their physical Temple to be defiled, in Christ, He has turned His face _towards_ humanity, offering reconciliation and a permanent indwelling of His Spirit. The judgment foreshadowed in Ezekiel finds its resolution in the cross, where the ultimate defilement (sin) was dealt with, allowing God's presence to dwell not in a stone building, but in the hearts of His redeemed people, purchased by the [blood of the Lamb](/revelation/7-14 "Revelation 7:14 - Washed in the Blood of the Lamb").

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

Jeremiah 18:17

I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

Psalms 74:18

¶ Remember this, [that] the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and [that] the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

Psalms 74:23

Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

Psalms 74:10

O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Psalms 74:11

Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck [it] out of thy bosom.

Ezekiel 39:23

¶ And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.

Ezekiel 39:24

According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them.