Wilt thou judge the bloody city - Pronounce the sentence of death against the murderers.

Show her all her abominations - And a most revolting and dreadful catalogue of these is in consequence exhibited.

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city?.... Or, "city of bloods" (y)? the city of Jerusalem, in which was shed the blood of the prophets sent unto her; the doubling of the word denotes the vehemency with which it was expressed: wilt thou plead for and excuse such a city as this? surely no; so some: or wilt thou do thy work and office as a prophet? hast thou courage enough to do it? will thou rebuke and reprove? as the Targum; wilt thou examine her case, judge truly, and condemn her, as thou oughtest to do? hast thou an inclination to take this affair in hand? then be directed to it, as follows:

yea, thou shalt show her all her abominations; lay them before her; convict her of them; show her the evil of them, and the punishment they deserve; every kind of sin she was guilty of; for, as for particular acts, it was impossible to reckon them; those sins that were the most flagrant, and most frequently committed, and which were abominable to the Lord, and rendered her so in his sight, are intended.

(y) "civitatem sanguinum", V. L. Munster, Montanus.

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou {a} judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt show her all her abominations.

(a) Are you ready to execute your charge, which I commit to you against Jerusalem that murders the prophets and them that are godly?

22:2 Judge - The question is doubled, to awaken the prophet more fully, and to quicken him to his work.

judge: or, plead for

bloody...: Heb. city of bloods?

shew her: Heb. make her know

2. See Eze 20:4; that is, "Wilt thou not judge?" &c. (compare Eze 23:36).

the bloody city-literally, "the city of bloods"; so called on account of murders perpetrated in her, and sacrifices of children to Molech (Eze 22:3, 4, 6, 9; 24:6, 9).

22:1-16 The prophet is to judge the bloody city; the city of bloods. Jerusalem is so called, because of her crimes. The sins which Jerusalem stands charged with, are exceeding sinful. Murder, idolatry, disobedience to parents, oppression and extortion, profanation of the sabbath and holy things, seventh commandment sins, lewdness and adultery. Unmindfulness of God was at the bottom of all this wickedness. Sinners provoke God because they forget him. Jerusalem has filled the measure of her sins. Those who give up themselves to be ruled by their lusts, will justly be given up to be portioned by them. Those who resolve to be their own masters, let them expect no other happiness than their own hands can furnish; and a miserable portion it will prove.