The heart of their defiance isn't just that God is absent, but that they've concluded He's unable to see or care, freeing them to abandon all morality. This belief that God doesn't truly govern or witness events is what fuels the bloodshed and corruption they've embraced.
Then he said to me, “The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of blood, and the city full of injustice. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel has just pleaded with God about the impending destruction of Jerusalem, questioning why such severe judgment must fall. In response, God reveals the depth of Israel's corruption, explaining that their land overflows with bloodshed and their city with injustice. This pervasive wickedness stems from a dangerous belief that God has abandoned them and is unaware of their actions, justifying their lawlessness.
Ezekiel sees a land saturated with violence and a city twisted by unfairness. What makes these sins so devastating in God's eyes?
The message here is stark and serious. The angel reveals the immense guilt of Israel and Judah, specifically pointing to "full of blood" and "full of injustice." This isn't just about a few isolated incidents; it speaks to a systemic rot. "Full of blood" points to the widespread shedding of innocent lives, a direct violation of God's command and a stain on the land itself. "Full of injustice" describes a society where fairness and righteousness have been corrupted. When the very structures meant to uphold justice are perverted, and when innocent lives are treated with contempt, it deeply grieves God and brings His judgment near. This highlights that God cares not only about individual piety but also about the moral health and justice of an entire community.
Facing devastation, the people declared God had abandoned them. What does this denial reveal about their hearts, and why is it so infuriating to God?
The core of Israel and Judah's rebellion wasn't just their actions, but their underlying belief system. They said, 'The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see.' This statement reveals a deep-seated spiritual sickness and a dangerous theological error.
A Denial of God's Presence
When they said, 'The LORD has forsaken the land,' they were essentially saying God had abandoned His covenant promises and His people. This mindset allowed them to believe their sins had no ultimate consequence because the divine overseer was absent or indifferent.
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A Denial of God's Omniscience
Adding to this, they claimed, 'the LORD does not see.' This is a direct assault on God's all-knowing nature. It’s a form of practical atheism – living as if God isn't watching or doesn't care about the affairs of humanity. This belief frees people to act wickedly without fear of accountability. When people stop believing God sees their sin, all moral restraints break down. The commentators highlight that this denial was the root cause of their violence and perversion of justice.
Understand the original words
avon · Hebrew Noun
A moral offense or state of culpability incurred by breaking God's law. It carries the weight of responsibility for sin and the resulting deserved punishment.
matteh · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew term for violent, morally wrong, or perverse behavior that perverts justice. It denotes a violation of the social and divine order.
azab · Hebrew Verb
To abandon or desert someone. The people falsely accused God of deserting His land, when in reality, their persistent sin had forced His manifest presence to depart.
This verse reveals a deep spiritual crisis where the people's sins of violence and injustice are matched by a chilling denial of God's awareness and involvement, fueled by the devastating backdrop of increasing national collapse and exile.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens and scattering them throughout the empire.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon conquers Judah, and a first wave of exiles, including some of noble birth like Daniel, are deported to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a Judean revolt, Jerusalem is besieged, and King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans are exiled to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel is among this group.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, utterly destroy Jerusalem and its Temple. A final, larger wave of exiles is deported, leaving only the poorest behind.
c. 580 BC
Ezekiel's Vision
While in exile, Ezekiel receives a series of visions, including the one recorded in chapter 9, which describes the impending judgment on Jerusalem.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment expressed in Ezekiel 9:9, highlighting the foolishness of those who believe God is unaware or unconcerned with earthly affairs and injustice.
Isaiah 40:27This verse reflects a similar despair and accusation against God ('My way is hidden from the LORD; my right is disregarded by my God'), showing this feeling of abandonment was a recurring theme when people faced hardship and perceived divine inaction.
Jeremiah 5:1This passage describes a search for one righteous person in Jerusalem, mirroring the overwhelming sense of corruption and injustice described in Ezekiel 9:9, where the city itself is 'full of perverseness'.
Romans 3:10-18This New Testament passage paints a stark picture of universal sinfulness, echoing Ezekiel's description of Israel and Judah being 'exceedingly great' in iniquity, with their actions (like bloodshed and injustice) stemming from a lack of regard for God.
cambridgeEzekiel 9:9: "Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not."
9 . full of perverseness ] As marg., wresting of judgment , or turning the innocent out of the way ( Amos 2:7 ). The Divine answer is inexorable. Two evils are stated, and the deeper cause of them: violence unto bloodshed, and the perversion of justice, the…
pooleEzekiel 9:9: "Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not."
Then said he; God gives him a speedy answer. Of the house of Israel; of those who either joined themselves to the house of David when the ten tribes fell off, or those that escaped when Shalmaneser carried them captive. Judah; the two tribes; though only one…
The heart of their defiance isn't just that God is absent, but that they've concluded He's unable to see or care, freeing them to abandon all morality. This belief that God doesn't truly govern or witness events is what fuels the bloodshed and corruption they've embraced.
Ezekiel has just pleaded with God about the impending destruction of Jerusalem, questioning why such severe judgment must fall. In response, God reveals the depth of Israel's corruption, explaining that their land overflows with bloodshed and their city with injustice. This pervasive wickedness stems from a dangerous belief that God has abandoned them and is unaware of their actions, justifying their lawlessness.
Ezekiel has just pleaded with God about the impending destruction of Jerusalem, questioning why such severe judgment must fall. In response, God reveals the depth of Israel's corruption, explaining that their land overflows with bloodshed and their city with injustice. This pervasive wickedness stems from a dangerous belief that God has abandoned them and is unaware of their actions, justifying their lawlessness.
"Then he said to me, “The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of blood, and the city full of injustice. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see.’" — The heart of their defiance isn't just that God is absent, but that they've concluded He's unable to see or care, freeing them to abandon all morality. This belief that God doesn't truly govern or…
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Last reviewed October 2026
