יחזקאל, פרק כ״ב, פסוק ב׳

God calls upon the prophet to confront Jerusalem with a piercing reckoning. He asks the prophet to engage in a deep investigation, questioning whether he is ready to judge and argue with the people of the city [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. God repeats His call to emphasize the urgency of the matter [רד"ק]. It is possible that the prophet felt an inward hesitation about exposing the deep sins of the city, prompting God to firmly urge him forward [מלבי"ם].

This judgment is not about delivering physical punishment. Rather, it is a trial of words and verbal rebuke. The goal is to thoroughly clarify exactly why the city has brought destruction upon itself [רד"ק, מלבי"ם].

Jerusalem is directly addressed as a city of blood [רש"י, שטיינזלץ]. This harsh title is given because its inhabitants actively shed innocent blood. While the city was filled with idolatry and various other abominations, the act of murder is singled out because it stands as the greatest and most severe of all their offenses [רד"ק]. Additionally, this title serves as a dark hint toward the future, pointing to the blood of the victims that the enemy will soon spill within its walls during the impending destruction [מלבי"ם].

God commands the prophet to lay out all of Jerusalem's abominations before her [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. By detailing these sins, the prophet will prove to the city that she is undeniably guilty. The ultimate purpose of this confrontation is to demonstrate clearly that the harsh disaster about to strike is completely justified and entirely in line with strict justice [רד"ק, מלבי"ם].