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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read "conspiracy of her prophets" and think only of rival religious factions. But the text reveals these false prophets weren't just disagreeing; they were actively "devouring souls" and bringing about destruction, like a predator to make widows, driven by greed for treasure and power.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is detailing the deep corruption within Jerusalem, exposing how all levels of society, from princes to prophets, have contributed to the city's impending destruction. This verse specifically targets the false prophets who, instead of guiding people to God, have banded together like predatory lions. They exploit and harm the people, leading many to ruin and causing widespread suffering, such as the creation of many widows through their deceitful counsel.
Jerusalem's spiritual leaders aren't just wrong; they're actively destructive. Ezekiel paints a picture of deception as dangerous as a predator.
Ezekiel uses powerful imagery to expose the false prophets. He calls their actions a 'conspiracy,' suggesting a deliberate, unified plan to deceive.
A Unified Deception
These prophets weren’t passively leading people astray; they were actively hunting and devouring them.
These prophets didn't just lead people astray theologically; their actions had devastating real-world consequences, stripping both life and resources.
The verse details the horrific impact of these false prophets’ actions:
The Devastation Caused
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Understand the original words
qesher · Hebrew Noun
A secret plot or agreement, usually evil in intent, formed by a group to commit harm, overthrow authority, or deceive. In a prophetic context, it often refers to the collusion of religious leaders to mislead the people.
nabiy · Hebrew Noun
Spokespersons for God commissioned to declare His will and judgments to His people. When false, they are characterized by self-interest, deception, and the leading of people away from truth.
ari · Hebrew Noun
A common biblical metaphor for a fierce, destructive predator. It symbolizes those who exercise power cruelly, ruthlessly destroying the vulnerable for their own benefit.
This verse powerfully captures the destructive role of religious leaders who, for personal gain, misled the people of Judah, especially in the final, desperate years before Jerusalem's fall.
c. 627-586 BC
Jeremiah's Ministry in Judah
The prophet Jeremiah actively warned Judah of impending destruction by Babylon, often facing intense opposition from false prophets who preached peace and security.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and thousands of Judah's elite, including many artisans and prophets, to Babylon, weakening Jerusalem.
594 BC
Rebellion and Second Deportation
Despite the earlier deportation, Zedekiah, the new king, rebels against Babylon. This leads to another, smaller deportation.
c. 590s BC
Ezekiel's Prophetic Ministry
Ezekiel, living among the exiles in Babylon, receives visions and pronouncements from God, addressing the sins of Judah and offering hope for restoration.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Jerusalem is besieged and falls to the Babylonians. The Temple is destroyed, and a final, larger group of Judeans is exiled, leaving the land devastated.
This passage describes the corruption and deceit of false prophets, paralleling Ezekiel's description of prophets who lead people astray with lies and adultery.
1 Peter 5:8This verse likens the devil to a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, which strongly echoes Ezekiel's image of the false prophets acting like a 'roaring lion tearing the prey'.
Matthew 23:14Jesus pronounces a woe on the scribes and Pharisees, accusing them of devouring widows' houses and making long prayers, which connects to Ezekiel's accusation of false prophets causing widows and greedily taking treasures.
Zephaniah 3:3-4This passage paints a picture of corrupt leaders and prophets within Jerusalem who are greedy and untrustworthy, much like the prophets described in Ezekiel 22:25.
ellicottEzekiel 22:25: "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."
(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 t…
cambridgeEzekiel 22:25: "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."
25 . conspiracy of her prophets ] More probably with LXX., whose princes in the midst of her are like … The prophets are spoken of Ezekiel 22:28 . The “princes” are those of the royal house, ch. Ezekiel 19:1 , Ezekiel 21:12 , Ezekiel 22:6 , Ezekiel 45:8-…
It's easy to read "conspiracy of her prophets" and think only of rival religious factions. But the text reveals these false prophets weren't just disagreeing; they were actively "devouring souls" and bringing about destruction, like a predator to make widows, driven by greed for treasure and power.
Ezekiel is detailing the deep corruption within Jerusalem, exposing how all levels of society, from princes to prophets, have contributed to the city's impending destruction. This verse specifically targets the false prophets who, instead of guiding people to God, have banded together like predatory lions. They exploit and harm the people, leading many to ruin and causing widespread suffering, such as the creation of many widows through their deceitful counsel.
Ezekiel is detailing the deep corruption within Jerusalem, exposing how all levels of society, from princes to prophets, have contributed to the city's impending destruction. This verse specifically targets the false prophets who, instead of guiding people to God, have banded together like predatory lions. They exploit and harm the people, leading many to ruin and causing widespread suffering, such as the creation of many widows through their deceitful counsel.
"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." — It's easy to read "conspiracy of her prophets" and think only of rival religious factions. But the text reveals these false prophets weren't just disagreeing; they were actively "devouring souls" and…
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Last reviewed October 2026