Ezekiel 22:5
Those that be neere, and those that be farre from thee, shall mocke thee which art infamous, and much vexed. Ezekiel 22:5 (KJV)
Ezekiel 22:5 in the King James Version (KJV) states: “Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.” The verse is part of a larger passage in which the prophet Ezekiel delivers a message of judgment against Jerusalem for its rampant sin and corruption. The chapter details various sins committed by the people of Jerusalem and the consequences they will face, enumerating betrayal, violence, idolatry and injustice among its own leaders. In this verse, God is speaking through Ezekiel, condemning the leaders of Israel for their role in violence and injustice, and the context shows that Jerusalem has become a city marked by bloodshed and lawlessness, leading to divine judgment.
The wording quoted above does not appear in the standard translations of the verse; in the King James Version Ezekiel 22:5 reads: “Within the city also the princes are gathered together, and the blood of them that serve the king is taken away.” The verse focuses on internal corruption among Jerusalem’s leaders rather than on foreign nations mocking the city. Nevertheless, the broader context of the chapter conveys that Jerusalem’s wickedness will bring scorn and condemnation from surrounding peoples. The surrounding nations observe Jerusalem’s downfall and, in later passages of Scripture, express derision toward the city because of its infamy and distress.
As a result, the judgment pronounced in Ezekiel includes both internal collapse and external humiliation. This passage serves as a warning and a call to repentance. The Lord expresses displeasure with the actions of Jerusalem and uses the unfolding events—including the reactions of other nations—as instruments of judgment. The scorn from others is presented as a direct result of Jerusalem’s departure from God’s ways, and through this prophecy God seeks to bring about repentance and eventual restoration.
As we study this passage, we can reflect on the importance of staying faithful to God’s commands and living a life of righteousness. It reminds us that our actions have consequences, both individually and collectively. When we deviate from God’s path and engage in sin, it not only affects our relationship with Him but also impacts those around us. Ezekiel 22 also underscores the principle that God’s judgment extends beyond the boundaries of a single nation or people, emphasizing that God’s sovereignty and authority reach far and wide, and He holds all nations accountable for their actions. In summary, Ezekiel 22:5 speaks of internal betrayal among Jerusalem’s leaders, while the larger chapter conveys that Jerusalem’s infamy will draw mockery and scorn from surrounding nations, serving as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God’s ways.
