Ezek. 22:1–31 This chapter includes three distinct but thematically related oracles. Each convicts Jerusalem of practicing vile impurities that God refuses to tolerate. The first describes this behavior in detail (vv. 1–16); the second uses the metaphor of melting for ridding Jerusalem of its impurities (vv. 17–22); the third surveys the city’s inhabitants. None of the oracles provides any reason for preventing the city’s destruction (vv. 23–31).
Ezek. 22:1–16 Issues of purity are key here. Although guilt is included, the issue is not primarily legal. The repetition of defiled in vv. 3–5 (also v. 11) points to ethical or ritual impurity. So does the distinctive joining of blood and idols in vv. 3–4 (compare 16:36; 36:18).
Ezek. 22:6–12 In you, that is, in Jerusalem, all the sins on this long list occur. Every area of life is affected, for these sins violate God’s laws for the protection of worship, parental authority, human life, marriage, property, and truth. In short, they include all the matters addressed in the Ten Commandments; see Ex. 20:1–17.
Ezek. 22:9 To eat on the mountains (see 18:6, 15) is to participate in forbidden sacrificial rites.
Ezek. 22:12 This verse explains why these sins have occurred: but me you have forgotten.
Ezek. 22:17–22 The metaphor of melting is found elsewhere in the OT (see Isa. 48:10 and Jer. 6:29). Here, however, the point is not to get purified silver but to be rid of the impure metal, that is, Jerusalem’s inhabitants (compare Isa. 1:22, 25). Jerusalem is portrayed as a heap of useless material.
Ezek. 22:23–31 Here, rather than surveying types of behavior (as in vv. 6–12), Ezekiel surveys the people involved. The issue is still impurity (a land . . . not cleansed, v. 24). This oracle could be seen as a commentary on 7:23–27, where prophet, priest, elders, and king mislead the city (compare Zeph. 3:3–4).
Ezek. 22:30 There is no one to stand in the breach (compare 13:5; Ps. 106:23) who might prevent the destruction.
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