Ezekiel 9:9

KJV

Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah [is] exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} he unto me, The iniquity {H5771} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} and Judah {H3063} is exceeding {H3966}{H3966} great {H1419}, and the land {H776} is full {H4390} of blood {H1818}, and the city {H5892} full {H4390} of perverseness {H4297}: for they say {H559}, The LORD {H3068} hath forsaken {H5800} the earth {H776}, and the LORD {H3068} seeth {H7200} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said to me, "The wickedness of the house of Isra'el and Y'hudah is enormous, the land is full of blood, and the city is full of justice denied; because they say, 'ADONAI has left the land, ADONAI doesn't see.'

Berean Standard Bible

He replied, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of perversity. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.’

American Standard Version

Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of wresting of judgment: for they say, Jehovah hath forsaken the land, and Jehovah seeth not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 9:9 records the divine declaration of judgment against Israel and Judah, articulating the profound and pervasive nature of their sin. It reveals that their iniquity, marked by widespread violence and moral corruption, had reached an "exceeding great" level. Crucially, the verse exposes the root of their rebellion: a defiant theological error where the people presumed God had abandoned the earth and was oblivious to their actions, thereby justifying the severe divine response that was about to unfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within a series of terrifying visions granted to Ezekiel in [Ezekiel chapters 8-11](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8-11 - Visions of Abominations and God's Departure"). Chapter 8 graphically details the abominations committed by the elders of Israel within the very temple precincts, from idolatrous images to sun worship. Chapter 9 immediately follows, depicting the arrival of six executioners, signifying the imminent divine judgment upon Jerusalem. Verse 9 serves as God's explicit rationale for this judgment, directly preceding the command for the slaughter to begin. It links the people's spiritual rebellion and moral depravity directly to the coming destruction, demonstrating that God's actions are just and provoked by their persistent sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile, specifically to the exiles already in Babylon. Jerusalem, though still standing at this point, was under Babylonian threat, and its eventual destruction (586 BC) was looming. The "house of Israel and Judah" refers to the unified spiritual failure of both the northern kingdom (Israel, long since fallen) and the southern kingdom (Judah), emphasizing that the entire covenant people had apostatized. The "blood" mentioned points to rampant violence, injustice, and possibly even child sacrifice, a horrific practice associated with pagan worship (cf. [Jeremiah 19:4](/jeremiah/19-4 "Jeremiah 19:4 - Shedding Innocent Blood")). "Perverseness" signifies a deep moral corruption and a deliberate turning away from the Mosaic Law and the covenant relationship with Yahweh. Their belief that "The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern notion that a god might abandon his temple or people, but here it's a defiant, self-serving theological claim used to justify their sin.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several major themes prevalent in Ezekiel and the prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **God's Justice and Judgment**, demonstrating that divine wrath is a righteous response to profound and unrepentant sin, not arbitrary cruelty. It highlights the **Pervasiveness of Sin**, showing how corruption had infiltrated every level of society, from the temple leadership to the common populace, leading to a land "full of blood" and a city "full of perverseness." A critical theological theme is the **Denial of God's Omnipresence and Omniscience**, as the people's assertion that God "seeth not" reveals a dangerous spiritual blindness and a fundamental rejection of His sovereign oversight, which is a recurring motif in prophetic critiques of Israel's apostasy (e.g., [Psalm 94:7](/psalms/94-7 "Psalm 94:7 - They Say, 'The LORD Does Not See'")). This denial serves as the ultimate justification for their continued rebellion and God's subsequent, unavoidable judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** From H5771, meaning perversity, moral evil, or guilt incurred by sin. It denotes not merely an isolated act but a deep-seated distortion of character and a twistedness of moral nature. It implies a deviation from the straight path of righteousness, leading to culpability and punishment.
* **exceeding great (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd gâdôwl'_):** A powerful intensification using H3966 (vehemence, exceedingly) and H1419 (great, mighty). This phrase emphasizes the immense scale, severity, and magnitude of their wickedness. It signifies that the sin was not just present but had reached an overwhelming, unbearable level, leaving no room for mitigation or delay of judgment.
* **blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** From H1818, referring to the lifeblood of man or animal, often associated with bloodshed that causes death. In this context, it signifies rampant violence, murder, and possibly ritualistic child sacrifice, indicating a society utterly devoid of respect for human life and divine law. It points to guilt and pollution of the land.
* **perverseness (Hebrew, _muṭṭeh'_):** From H4297, meaning a stretching or distortion. It describes a society that has deliberately twisted or corrupted moral standards, choosing crookedness over righteousness. This term encompasses injustice, moral depravity, and a complete subversion of God's righteous order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said he unto me,"**: This phrase introduces a direct divine communication to the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing that the following words are not Ezekiel's interpretation but God's own solemn declaration, providing the divine rationale for the impending judgment.
* **"The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah [is] exceeding great,"**: God explicitly states the comprehensive nature and immense scale of the sin of His covenant people. "House of Israel and Judah" signifies the collective guilt of both the northern and southern kingdoms, highlighting their shared apostasy. The "exceeding great" emphasizes the overwhelming magnitude and severity of their moral corruption, indicating that their sin had reached a point of no return, necessitating divine intervention.
* **"and the land is full of blood,"**: This clause specifies a primary manifestation of their iniquity: widespread violence, murder, and bloodshed. It points to a society where human life is devalued, justice is perverted, and innocent blood is shed, polluting the very land they inhabit and crying out for divine retribution (cf. [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - The Voice of Abel's Blood")).
* **"and the city full of perverseness:"**: This further elaborates on the pervasive moral decay, focusing on Jerusalem, the heart of the nation. "Perverseness" indicates a deep-seated moral distortion, injustice, and a deliberate turning away from God's righteous standards in all aspects of civic and social life. It paints a picture of a society where truth and righteousness have been completely subverted.
* **"for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not."**: This final clause reveals the underlying theological error and spiritual rebellion that fueled their sin. Their assertion that God had abandoned His creation and was oblivious to their actions was a self-serving rationalization, allowing them to indulge in wickedness without fear of divine consequence. This denial of God's omnipresence and omniscience was a profound act of spiritual blindness and defiance, directly challenging His sovereignty and justice.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 9:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. **Hyperbole** is evident in phrases like "exceeding great" and "full of blood," which are not literal measurements but intense exaggerations designed to emphasize the overwhelming and pervasive nature of Israel's sin. This overstatement underscores the gravity of their moral decay. **Anthropomorphism** is present in the people's assertion that "The LORD seeth not," attributing a human limitation (inability to see or perceive) to God. This highlights their profound misunderstanding or deliberate denial of God's omnipresence and omniscience. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** in their declaration: they claim God does not see, yet the very fact that God is revealing their iniquity to Ezekiel proves that He sees everything, and their denial is precisely the justification for the judgment He is about to unleash. The verse also functions as a **Divine Indictment**, serving as a formal, legal-like charge from God Himself against His people, laying out the specific reasons for their condemnation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 9:9 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that God is not a distant or indifferent deity, but one who actively observes and holds humanity accountable for its actions. The "exceeding great" iniquity and the land "full of blood" highlight the destructive power of sin, not just on individuals but on entire societies, leading to a state of moral corruption that necessitates divine intervention. The people's assertion that "The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not" is a dangerous theological error, a form of practical atheism that denies God's omnipresence and omniscience, thereby emboldening sin. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God's justice is an inherent aspect of His character, and His judgment is a righteous response to unrepentant rebellion and the pervasive defilement of His creation.

* [Psalm 10:11](/psalms/10-11 "Psalm 10:11 - The Wicked Say, 'God Has Forgotten'")
* [Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - Can Anyone Hide From Me?")
* [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28-32 - The Consequences of Suppressing Truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 9:9 is a sobering mirror reflecting the human tendency to rationalize sin and deny God's active presence and ultimate justice. For us today, it serves as a powerful call to spiritual honesty. We must resist the temptation to believe that our actions go unnoticed by God or that He is indifferent to the moral state of the world. The "blood" and "perverseness" described here resonate with the injustices, violence, and moral decay we witness in our own societies. This verse compels us to examine our own hearts: do we truly live as if God sees all, or do we, like ancient Israel, subtly operate under the assumption that God is distant or unconcerned? Living in light of God's omnipresence and omniscience should cultivate a profound sense of reverence, encouraging us to pursue righteousness, advocate for justice, and repent swiftly when we fall short. It reminds us that true freedom is found not in denying God's sight, but in living openly and humbly before Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, subtly act as if "The LORD seeth not" in our daily lives or decisions?**
* **How does the pervasive nature of sin described in this verse (full of blood, full of perverseness) challenge my understanding of societal problems today?**
* **What specific actions can I take to live more consciously in the awareness of God's omnipresence and justice?**

### FAQ
**What does "the land is full of blood" specifically refer to?**

Answer: "The land is full of blood" (Hebrew: *dâm*) refers primarily to widespread violence, murder, and the shedding of innocent blood. This could include judicial corruption leading to unjust executions, assassinations, or even the horrific practice of child sacrifice, which was associated with the idolatrous worship of gods like Molech (cf. [Jeremiah 19:4](/jeremiah/19-4 "Jeremiah 19:4 - Shedding Innocent Blood")). It signifies a society utterly devoid of respect for human life and God's covenant laws, leading to the defilement of the land itself.

**Why is it significant that the people say, "The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not"?**

Answer: This statement is profoundly significant because it reveals the spiritual blindness and defiant rebellion at the heart of Israel and Judah's sin. By claiming "The LORD hath forsaken the earth," they were asserting that God was no longer present or involved in human affairs, perhaps having abandoned His people or His creation. The accompanying phrase, "and the LORD seeth not," implies that God was either unaware of their actions or indifferent to them. This theological error served as a self-justification for their continued wickedness, as they believed they could sin with impunity, free from divine observation or consequence. It's a dangerous denial of God's omnipresence and omniscience, which are fundamental attributes of His character (cf. [Psalm 139:7](/psalms/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-12 - Where Can I Flee From Your Presence?")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 9:9, with its stark portrayal of Israel's "exceeding great" iniquity and the people's defiant denial of God's sight, finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "blood" that filled the land of Israel foreshadows the innocent blood of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") that would be shed, not to condemn, but to atone for the very sins described here. While Israel's perverseness led to judgment, Christ became the perfect sacrifice, bearing the full weight of humanity's "iniquity" and "perverseness" on the cross, so that those who believe might be forgiven and reconciled to a holy God (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He Who Knew No Sin Became Sin")). The people's assertion that "The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not" is tragically ironic in light of Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, fully revealing God's presence, knowledge, and active involvement in His creation (cf. [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - The Image of the Invisible God")). Jesus's life, death, and resurrection demonstrate that God has neither forsaken the earth nor does He fail to see; rather, He has acted decisively in Christ to redeem a fallen world, offering a new covenant where hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh, enabling true righteousness and a genuine awareness of His presence (cf. [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")).

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

Job 22:13

And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

Ezekiel 8:12

Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.

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.

Ezekiel 7:23

¶ Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.

Psalms 94:7

Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard [it].

Micah 3:1

¶ And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; [Is it] not for you to know judgment?