Ezekiel 22:27
Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
Study Note
Study Note
Jerusalem's princes are described as wolves ravening the prey, shedding blood, and destroying souls 'to get dishonest gain' — a charge of lethal corruption at the highest level. The wolf metaphor was commonly applied to predatory rulers in the ancient Near East, and Ezekiel's use of it against Judah's own princes signals that covenant violation has reached the leadership. The verse is embedded in Ezekiel's four-part indictment of Jerusalem (22:23-31) cataloguing prophets, priests, princes, and people as collectively responsible for the city's coming fall. Jesus applies the same wolf metaphor to false prophets in Matthew 7:15, and Paul warns Ephesian elders of 'grievous wolves' in Acts 20:29.
Other Translations
Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
Its princes in its midst <FI>are<Fi> as wolves, Tearing prey, to shed blood, to destroy souls, For the sake of gaining dishonest gain.
Her rulers in her are like wolves violently taking their food; putting men to death and causing the destruction of souls, so that they may get their profit.
Cross References
Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the …
And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; …
And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, …
Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.
Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which …
There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have …
Thus saith the Lord God; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment …
When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they …
They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none …
Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from …