Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.
Parallel translations
- WEB Her princes within it are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
- KJV Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
- BSB Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.
- NASB Her leaders within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to make dishonest profit.
- NLT Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The princes act like wolves tearing prey, shedding blood and destroying lives for dishonest gain. The rulers devour those they should protect.
Overview
Like the prophets, the civil leaders are predators, using their power to kill and plunder for profit. Their greed and violence pervert the very purpose of government, which is to do justice. The verse exposes the ruin that follows when those in authority serve themselves rather than God and their people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Ezek 22:13“‘“Behold, therefore I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at your blood which has been within you.
- Isa 1:23Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They don’t judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
- Ezek 22:6“‘“Behold, the princes of Israel, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood.
- Jas 2:6–7But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts?
- Mic 3:2–3You who hate the good, and love the evil; who tear off their skin, and their flesh from off their bones;
- Zeph 3:3Her princes within her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing until the next day.
- Ezek 45:9Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Let it suffice you, princes of Israel: remove violence and plunder, and execute justice and righteousness; dispossessing my people, says the Lord Yahweh.
- Hos 7:1–7When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the gang of robbers ravages outside.
- Mic 7:8Don’t rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Yahweh will be a light to me.
- Matt 21:13He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
- Ezek 19:3–6She brought up one of her cubs. He became a young lion, and he learned to catch the prey. He devoured men.
- Jas 5:1–4Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you.
- Mic 3:9–11Please listen to this, you heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice, and pervert all equity.
- Ezek 22:25There is a conspiracy of her prophets within it, like a roaring lion ravening the prey. They have devoured souls. They take treasure and precious things. They have made her widows many within it.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 22:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.