Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her. New Living Translation Your princes plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land. English Standard Version The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Berean Standard Bible The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. Berean Literal Bible The conspiracy of her princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured the soul; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. King James Bible There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. New King James Version The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. New American Standard Bible There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. NASB 1995 “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. NASB 1977 “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. Legacy Standard Bible There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. Amplified Bible There is a conspiracy of her [false] prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured [human] life; they have taken [in their greed] treasure and precious things; they have made many widows among her. Berean Annotated Bible The conspiracy of the princes [prophets] in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. Christian Standard Bible The conspiracy of her prophets within her is like a roaring lion tearing its prey: they devour people, seize wealth and valuables, and multiply the widows within her. Holman Christian Standard Bible The conspiracy of her prophets within her is like a roaring lion tearing its prey: they devour people, seize wealth and valuables, and multiply the widows within her. American Standard Version There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof. Contemporary English Version Their leaders are like roaring lions, tearing apart their victims. They put people to death, then steal everything of value. Husbands are killed, and many women are left as widows. English Revised Version There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof. GOD'S WORD® Translation Your princes are like roaring lions who tear their prey into pieces. They eat people and take their treasures and precious belongings. They turn many women into widows. Good News Translation The leaders are like lions roaring over the animals they have killed. They kill the people, take all the money and property they can get, and by their murders leave many widows. International Standard Version There's a conspiracy of prophets within her, and like a roaring lion tearing its prey, they've devoured people, and confiscated treasures, and taken precious things. They've added to the population of widows within her. NET Bible Her princes within her are like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they have devoured lives. They take away riches and valuable things; they have made many women widows within it. New Heart English Bible There is a conspiracy of her princes in its midst, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in its midst. Webster's Bible Translation There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst of her, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst of her. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. World English Bible There 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 many widows within it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA conspiracy of its prophets [is] in its midst, "" As a roaring lion tearing prey; They have devoured the soul, "" They have taken wealth and glory, "" Its widows have multiplied in its midst. Berean Literal Bible The conspiracy of her princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured the soul; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Young's Literal Translation A conspiracy of its prophets is in its midst, as a roaring lion tearing prey; The soul they have devoured, Wealth and glory they have taken, Its widows have multiplied in its midst. Smith's Literal Translation A conspiracy of her prophets in her midst as a roaring lion rending the prey; they consumed the soul; they will take the wealth and the precious thing; they multiplied her widows in her midst. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere is a conspiracy of prophets in the midst thereof: like a lion that roareth and catcheth the prey, they have devoured souls, they have taken riches and hire, they have made many widows in the midst thereof. Catholic Public Domain Version There is a conspiracy of prophets in her midst. Like a lion, roaring and seizing the prey, they have devoured souls. They have taken riches and a price. They have multiplied widows in her midst. New American Bible A conspiracy of its princes is like a roaring lion tearing prey; they devour people, seizing their wealth and precious things, making many widows within her. New Revised Standard Version Its princes within it are like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows within it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHer prophets in the midst of her have conspired; they are like a lion that roars and tears the prey; they have devoured lives with their might; they have taken the precious things of their palaces. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Her Prophets have rebelled within her as a lion that roars, and he rips the prey. They consumed souls by their strength and they took precious things from their palaces OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls, they take treasure and precious things, they have made her widows many in the midst thereof. Brenton Septuagint Translation whose princes in the midst of her are as roaring lions seizing prey, devouring souls by oppression, and taking bribes; and thy widows are multiplied in the midst of thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Sins of Prophets, Priests, Princes…24“Son of man, say to her, ‘In the day of indignation, you are a land that has not been cleansed, upon which no rain has fallen.’ 25The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. 26Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.… Cross References The conspiracy of the princes in her midst Jeremiah 11:9 And the LORD told me, “There is a conspiracy among the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem. Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: Micah 3:11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. Psalm 17:12 like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush. Hosea 5:14 For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them. Proverbs 28:15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. They devour the people, Micah 3:3 You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.” Psalm 14:4 Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon the LORD. Jeremiah 10:25 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, and on the families that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have consumed him and finished him off; they have devastated his homeland. seize the treasures and precious things, Lamentations 1:10 The adversary has seized all her treasures. For she has seen the nations enter her sanctuary—those You had forbidden to enter Your assembly. 2 Kings 24:13 As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar also carried off all the treasures from the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 36:18 who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. and multiply the widows within her. Jeremiah 18:21 Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. Isaiah 47:8 So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’ Lamentations 1:1 How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become a widow. The princess of the provinces has become a slave. Jeremiah 23:11-14 “For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD. / “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. / “Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray. … Treasury of Scripture There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the middle thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the middle thereof. a conspiracy Ezekiel 13:10-16 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: … 1 Kings 22:11-13,23 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them… Jeremiah 5:30,31 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; … like Ezekiel 22:27-29 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain… Isaiah 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Hosea 6:9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness. ravening. they have devoured Ezekiel 13:19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? Jeremiah 2:30,34 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion… Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Jump to Previous Conspiracy Devour Devoured Food Great Her Human Lion Midst Precious Prey Princes Property Prophets Ravening Roaring Souls Tearing Thereof Treasure Treasures Valued Violently Wealth Widows WithinJump to Next Conspiracy Devour Devoured Food Great Her Human Lion Midst Precious Prey Princes Property Prophets Ravening Roaring Souls Tearing Thereof Treasure Treasures Valued Violently Wealth Widows WithinEzekiel 22 1. A catalogue of sins in Jerusalem, and the dispersion of the Jews in consequence17. God will burn them as dross in his furnace 23. The general corruption of prophets, priests, princes, and the people The conspiracy of the princes in her midst This phrase highlights the corrupt leadership in Jerusalem. The "princes" refers to the ruling class, including political and religious leaders. Their "conspiracy" suggests a secretive and deliberate plan to exploit the people. This mirrors the broader theme in Ezekiel of leaders failing in their duty to protect and guide the people according to God's laws. Historically, this period was marked by political instability and alliances with foreign powers, which often led to idolatry and injustice. is like a roaring lion tearing its prey They devour the people seize the treasures and precious things and multiply the widows within her Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. Prophets In this context, false prophets within Israel who are misleading the people and contributing to societal corruption. 3. Israel The nation of God's chosen people, who are in a state of moral and spiritual decline during Ezekiel's time. 4. Widows Symbolic of the vulnerable and oppressed in society, who suffer due to the actions of corrupt leaders. 5. Babylonian Exile The period during which the Israelites were exiled from their homeland, a backdrop to Ezekiel's prophecies. Teaching Points The Danger of False ProphetsFalse prophets can lead entire communities astray, causing spiritual and societal decay. We must be vigilant and discerning in identifying true teachings. The Responsibility of Leadership Leaders are accountable for the welfare of their people. Corruption and exploitation lead to widespread suffering and divine judgment. The Call to Protect the Vulnerable God's heart is for the oppressed and vulnerable, such as widows. Believers are called to advocate for and support those in need. The Consequences of Sin Sin, especially when perpetuated by those in authority, has far-reaching consequences. Repentance and a return to God's ways are essential. The Importance of Spiritual Discernment Believers must cultivate discernment to recognize and reject false teachings, aligning themselves with God's truth. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 22:25?2. How can we identify "conspiracy" among leaders in today's church community? 3. What actions characterize the "ravenous lions" mentioned in Ezekiel 22:25? 4. How does Ezekiel 22:25 relate to warnings in Matthew 7:15 about false prophets? 5. In what ways can we protect the vulnerable from "devouring souls" today? 6. How should Ezekiel 22:25 influence our prayers for church leadership? 7. What does Ezekiel 22:25 reveal about the corruption of Israel's prophets? 8. How does Ezekiel 22:25 challenge the integrity of religious leaders today? 9. In what ways does Ezekiel 22:25 reflect societal decay? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 22? 11. How does the violent response sanctioned in Esther 8:11 align with broader Old Testament teachings on justice and mercy? 12. In Ezekiel 22:2-5, why does God single out Jerusalem's bloodshed without clear archaeological evidence of such extensive violence? 13. Proverbs 22:7: Why does the text point out the rule of the rich over the poor but offer no direct solution to systemic economic oppression? 14. What does 'give it all away' mean? What Does Ezekiel 22:25 Mean The conspiracy of the princes in her midst• Ezekiel pictures Judah’s leaders plotting together, not in isolated lapses but in an organized, intentional coalition of evil (Ezekiel 22:6, 27). • Their “conspiracy” shows deliberate rebellion against God-ordained justice; they knowingly violate the covenant (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). • Similar indictments fall on princes in Micah 7:3 and Jeremiah 5:5, revealing that corruption at the top poisons an entire nation. • Because Scripture is accurate and literal, we understand this verse as a snapshot of real rulers in real time whose sin invites real judgment. is like a roaring lion tearing its prey • God uses a vivid simile: leaders behave like lions, a predator image that always signals danger (Psalm 10:9; Isaiah 5:29). • A roaring lion does not stalk quietly; it intimidates openly. Their oppression is brazen, not hidden. • 1 Peter 5:8 applies the same picture to Satan, underscoring that such rulers mirror demonic cruelty. • The nation’s shepherds should have protected the flock (Ezekiel 34:2), yet instead they pounce on it. They devour the people • “Devour” conveys consuming lives for personal gain (Psalm 14:4; Micah 3:2-3). • The princes’ greed depletes the very citizens they are charged to serve, turning Judah’s social order upside down (Habakkuk 1:13). • God had warned kings not to “multiply horses… silver and gold” for themselves (Deuteronomy 17:16-17), but here they gorge on the populace. seize the treasures and precious things • The rulers confiscate property—land, houses, money, heirlooms (1 Kings 21; Amos 3:10). • Ezekiel 7:20-21 foretells treasures delivered “into the hands of foreigners”; the leaders’ looting becomes a precursor to Babylon’s plunder. • Proverbs 22:22-23 promises God will “plead the cause” of the robbed; thus, every stolen jewel adds weight to Judah’s coming sentence. • The literal theft of valuables signals spiritual robbery: the stripping away of covenant blessing (Isaiah 10:13-14). and multiply the widows within her • When men are murdered in streets or battle because of corrupt leadership, wives are left defenseless (Lamentations 5:3). • Widows were to receive special protection (Deuteronomy 27:19; Isaiah 1:17), yet here their numbers soar, proving systemic bloodshed (Psalm 94:6). • Jeremiah 22:3 links shedding innocent blood with harm to widow and orphan—Ezekiel identifies the same chain reaction. • Each new widow is both a grieving soul and a legal indictment against Judah’s princes. summary Ezekiel 22:25 paints Judah’s rulers as a predatory alliance that terrorizes citizens, devours livelihoods, plunders wealth, and leaves families shattered. The verse is literal history and timeless warning: when those in power abandon God’s law, society collapses under oppression, and divine judgment follows. God sees every plot, roar, theft, and tear; He will uphold His covenant justice and call every leader—and every heart—to account. (25) A conspiracy of her prophets.--The opposition of false prophets to the Divine measures for the reformation of the people is continually spoken of (comp. Ezekiel 13, Zephaniah 3:4, and many passages in Jeremiah) as among the most serious obstacles to the work of the true prophets: there is also frequent mention of them in history (1 Kings 22, &c), as they had been foretold from of old in prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). Nothing, it may be observed, could have afforded more plausible excuse to the people for not obeying the Divine admonitions than an opposing "Thus saith the Lord." The greed of the false prophets and the disastrous effects of their counsel are spoken of here in stronger terms than in any other passage.Verse 25. - A conspiracy of prophets. The prophet's thoughts go back to Ezekiel 13:1-16, from which, in Ver. 28, he actually quotes It is probable that, in the interval, fresh tidings had reached him of the evil work which they were doing at Jerusalem. The LXX. ἀφηγούμενοι (equivalent to "princes") suggests that they followed a different text, and this is adopted by Keil and Hitzig. Like a roaring lion (comp. Ezekiel 19:2, 3; 1 Peter 5:8). The word probably points to the loud declamations of the false prophets (compare, as a striking parallel, Zephaniah 3:3, 4).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The conspiracyקֶ֤שֶׁר (qe·šer) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7195: An, alliance of the princes נְבִיאֶ֙יהָ֙ (nə·ḇî·’e·hā) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet in her midst בְּתוֹכָ֔הּ (bə·ṯō·w·ḵāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre is like a roaring שׁוֹאֵ֖ג (šō·w·’êḡ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7580: To rumble, moan lion כַּאֲרִ֥י (ka·’ă·rî) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 738: A lion tearing טֹ֣רֵֽף (ṭō·rêp̄) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2963: To pluck off, pull to pieces, to supply with food its prey. טָ֑רֶף (ṭā·rep̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2964: Something torn, a fragment, a fresh leaf, prey, food They devour אָכָ֗לוּ (’ā·ḵā·lū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 398: To eat the people, נֶ֣פֶשׁ (ne·p̄eš) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion seize יִקָּ֔חוּ (yiq·qā·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3947: To take the treasures חֹ֤סֶן (ḥō·sen) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2633: Wealth, treasure and precious things, וִיקָר֙ (wî·qār) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3366: Value, wealth, costliness, dignity and multiply הִרְבּ֥וּ (hir·bū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great the widows אַלְמְנוֹתֶ֖יהָ (’al·mə·nō·w·ṯe·hā) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place within her. בְתוֹכָֽהּ׃ (ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre Links Ezekiel 22:25 NIVEzekiel 22:25 NLT Ezekiel 22:25 ESV Ezekiel 22:25 NASB Ezekiel 22:25 KJV Ezekiel 22:25 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 22:25 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 22:25 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 22:25 French Bible Ezekiel 22:25 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 22:25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
    |