Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 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 take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof." — Ezekiel 22:25 (ASV)

A conspiracy of her prophets. —The opposition of false prophets to the Divine measures for the reformation of the people is continually spoken of (compare 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, etc.), as they had been foretold from ancient times 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.