Ezekiel 22:18 Meaning
Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.
Context Explained
16And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
17And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
18Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.
19Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.
20As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Zechariah 13:9
Zechariah speaks of refining a remnant of Israel, similar to the dross imagery.
Malachi 3:3
Malachi describes God as a refiner, which relates to the theme of purification here.
1 Corinthians 3:13
Paul discusses the testing of works, paralleling the idea of being refined.
Source: Ezekiel 22:18