Ezekiel 14 1

Ezekiel 14:1 kjv

Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.

Ezekiel 14:1 nkjv

Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me.

Ezekiel 14:1 niv

Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me.

Ezekiel 14:1 esv

Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me.

Ezekiel 14:1 nlt

Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were sitting with me,

Ezekiel 14 verses

Ezekiel 14 1 Meaning

Ezekiel 14:1 marks the beginning of a crucial encounter between the prophet Ezekiel and prominent Israelite elders among the exiles in Babylon. It describes these leaders approaching Ezekiel and assuming a posture of receptiveness, indicating their intent to inquire of the Lord through him. This verse sets the scene for God's forthcoming revelation regarding the inner state and hidden idolatry of those who seemingly seek divine counsel.

Ezekiel 14 1 Context

Ezekiel chapter 14 takes place during the Babylonian exile, after the initial deportation of many Israelites, including Ezekiel, in 597 BC. Ezekiel serves as a prophet to this exiled community, speaking God's word to a people struggling with their identity and sin. The preceding chapter (Ezek 13) condemned false prophets and prophetesses who offered deceitful assurances of peace, hindering true repentance. Chapter 14 directly confronts the widespread idolatry and hypocrisy prevalent among the Israelites, especially its leadership, whose hearts are turned towards idols even as they outwardly seek divine guidance. This verse specifically introduces a delegation of "elders," leaders responsible for spiritual and civil affairs within the community, setting the stage for God's stern rebuke against their insincere inquiries. Their presence signifies a desire to maintain the traditional means of seeking God, yet their inward disposition is revealed to be far from true devotion.

Ezekiel 14 1 Word analysis

• Then (וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ - vayavo'u): A common conjunctive beginning, indicating sequential action. It marks a transition in the narrative, following previous condemnations of false prophecy. The "waw-consecutive" perfect verb here serves as a historical present, narrating a past event in a vivid, ongoing manner.
• certain of the elders (אֲנָשִׁ֜ים מִזִּקְנֵ֥י - anashim mizzikenēy):
  • אֲנָשִׁ֜ים (anashim): Literally "men." The rendering "certain" is interpretative, suggesting a representative or chosen group rather than all elders. It highlights that these were specific individuals holding influential positions.
  • מִזִּקְנֵ֥י (mizzikenēy): "from the elders." This signifies their status as official leaders within the exiled community. Elders held significant roles in Israelite society, serving as judges, administrators, and religious figures (e.g., Exod 18:12, Num 11:16). Their approach to Ezekiel, therefore, carried communal weight.
• of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ - yisra'el): Identifies the nation or community they represent, even in their exiled state. Despite the divided kingdom, "Israel" often retained a comprehensive meaning, especially in prophetic contexts referring to the covenant people.
• came to me (אֵלַי - eley): Indicates a physical journey and intentional approach towards Ezekiel. It implies they sought his prophetic person as the channel for divine communication.
• and sat before me (וַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ לְפָנָֽי - vayeishvu l'fanay):
  • וַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ (vayeishvu): "and they sat." This posture is significant. Sitting before a prophet or authority figure denotes readiness to receive instruction, reverence, or anticipation. It's the standard position for students or those seeking counsel (e.g., Eze 8:1). It visually communicates their apparent readiness to listen and accept a divine oracle.
  • לְפָנָֽי (l'fanay): "before my face" or "in my presence." This reinforces the directness and formality of their audience with the prophet.

Words-group analysis:

• "certain of the elders of Israel": This phrase emphasizes their representative capacity and societal standing. It highlights that the spiritual rot was not merely among the common people but had permeated the very leadership responsible for upholding God's law and guiding the community. Their role as "elders" of "Israel" elevates the gravity of their subsequent rebuke.
• "came to me and sat before me": This conventional formal action signals an inquiry or a plea for a divine oracle. It evokes an expectation of profound spiritual interaction. However, this seemingly respectful and receptive posture creates a dramatic contrast with the Lord's subsequent revelation of their deeply idolatrous hearts, setting up a sharp polemic against hypocritical piety. The combination of actions suggests an active seeking of God, albeit superficial.

Ezekiel 14 1 Bonus section

The seemingly benign action of the elders "sitting before" Ezekiel takes on a profound, almost ironic, significance within the larger prophetic tradition. While typically signifying respectful audience, it can also suggest an entrenched posture or a refusal to move from one's established position, even in the face of divine challenge. This foreshadows the difficulty Ezekiel would face in getting these leaders to truly change their ways, as their hearts were already fixed on other deities. This episode also serves as a potent example of how God often answers insincere prayers or inquiries not by granting a deceptive peace, but by revealing the hidden corruption within the inquirer's heart, thus providing an opportunity for genuine repentance if they choose to accept it.

Ezekiel 14 1 Commentary

Ezekiel 14:1 provides the narrative backdrop for one of God's most cutting condemnations of spiritual hypocrisy. The elders of Israel, the very leaders expected to guide their people in the ways of Yahweh, approach the prophet Ezekiel, sitting attentively before him, presumably seeking a word from the Lord. On the surface, their actions appear pious and commendable—a faithful remnant desiring divine counsel during a time of crisis. Yet, the ensuing prophetic oracle, prompted by this very interaction, brutally exposes their internal reality. Their hearts were "setting up their idols" within, making a mockery of their outward show of seeking God.

This verse subtly establishes the fundamental theological truth that God discerns beyond outward appearances (1 Sam 16:7). He is not swayed by ritualistic adherence or external posturing if the heart is disloyal. The elders' "sitting before" Ezekiel, though seemingly reverent, ironically signifies their hardened position in their sin, unable or unwilling to genuinely listen and repent. The drama unfolds from this deceptively placid beginning, leading to a pronouncement that their inquiry would not be met with comfort, but with a severe challenge to confront their internal defilement, ultimately showing God's unyielding demand for sincere worship and unreserved commitment from His covenant people.