Ezekiel 14 14

Ezekiel 14:14 kjv

Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:14 nkjv

Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:14 niv

even if these three men?Noah, Daniel and Job?were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 14:14 esv

even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:14 nlt

Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 14 verses

Ezekiel 14 14 Meaning

Ezekiel 14:14 underscores the severity and unalterable nature of God's impending judgment upon a deeply corrupt land, likely Judah, in a time of widespread apostasy. It declares that even if the three preeminent figures of righteousness—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were present in that land, their individual piety would only be sufficient to preserve their own lives. Their exceptional righteousness, though exemplary, would be incapable of averting the decreed divine wrath upon the nation or saving its unrighteous inhabitants from destruction. This pronouncement highlights both God's unwavering justice and the limits of intercession when national sin reaches a critical threshold.

Ezekiel 14 14 Context

Ezekiel chapter 14 begins with elders of Israel coming to Ezekiel, outwardly seeking a word from God, yet secretly harboring idols in their hearts (Ezek 14:1-3). God immediately confronts their hypocrisy, declaring He will answer them according to their idolatry, and will separate Himself from His people because of their persistent sin. He announces a series of severe judgments upon the land, including famine, wild beasts, sword, and plague (Ezek 14:12-21). Verse 14 falls within this sequence, emphasizing that once these dire judgments are fully determined by God, no human intercession, no matter how righteous the intercessor, can avert the nation's doom. It addresses the false hope among the people that a few pious individuals could spare the entire wicked population. The 'land' referenced here is undoubtedly Judah, which has reached a point of no return due to pervasive idolatry, spiritual defilement, and unrepentant rebellion against God. The pronouncement serves as a stark message of the inevitability and justice of the impending Babylonian exile and destruction of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 14 14 Word analysis

• Even if: The Hebrew term gam ki (גַּם כִּי) conveys a strong hypothetical condition, implying an extraordinary and almost impossible scenario, underscoring the severity of the coming judgment. It highlights the decisive nature of God's decree.
• these three men—Noah, Daniel and Job—: These names are profoundly significant. In ancient Israelite understanding, they represented the epitome of individual righteousness, resilience in faith, and integrity, especially in the face of widespread corruption or suffering.
  • Noah (נֹחַ - Noach): Righteous in a utterly corrupt world, found grace (Gen 6:8), and was saved from a global flood, preserving his family through his obedience and piety. He signifies personal salvation from cosmic judgment.
  • Daniel (דָּנִיֵּאל - Daniyyel): A contemporary of Ezekiel, living in exile. Known for unwavering faithfulness and integrity in pagan Babylon, even at great personal risk. His reputation for wisdom and purity was established. His presence in this list confirms his acknowledged piety during his own lifetime.
  • Job (אִיּוֹב - 'Iyyov): Known for blamelessness, uprightness, and fearing God (Job 1:1), and enduring immense suffering without cursing God. He symbolizes steadfast righteousness even when tested, and effective intercession for his friends (Job 42:8-9).The selection of these specific three, from different historical periods (antediluvian, patriarchal, and contemporary exile), enhances the point by showing their diverse forms of faithfulness, covering various dimensions of "righteousness." Their combined impact represents the ultimate measure of human righteousness and intercessory capability, which still falls short against a final divine decree.
• were in it: Refers to hâʼâretz (הָאָרֶץ), "the land" of Judah. This specific context of the "land" emphasizes national judgment, not merely individual calamity.
• they could save only themselves: The Hebrew yehatsilu nafsham (יַצִּ֥ילוּ נַפְשָׁ֖ם) means "they would deliver their soul/life." This is the crux of the verse, illustrating the limitation of individual righteousness. While these men could preserve their own lives through divine grace based on their righteousness, they could not intercede effectively for the wider nation or avert its collective punishment. This underscores individual accountability in the face of corporate apostasy that has passed the point of repentance.
• by their righteousness: bᵊtsidqatam (בְּצִדְקָתָ֔ם) - literally "in/by their righteousness." This is individual righteousness (tzedakah), distinct from corporate or familial intercessory power for an undeserving nation. It's the intrinsic state of being right with God through their faithful obedience and actions, which would lead to their personal deliverance.
• declares the Sovereign LORD: The Hebrew phrase nᵊ'um ʼAdonai Yahweh (נְאֻם֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהֹוִ֔ה) acts as a solemn divine attestation. Nᵊ'um signifies an authoritative oracle, a sure word from God. Adonai Yahweh emphasizes God's supreme authority, mastership, and His covenant relationship, signifying that this is a final, irrevocable judgment pronounced by the one who is absolutely sovereign and bound by His own justice and covenant promises.

Ezekiel 14 14 Bonus section

The inclusion of Daniel, a contemporary figure during the Babylonian exile, in the same breath as ancient patriarchs like Noah and Job, indicates how profoundly his faithfulness was recognized by God and by Ezekiel's audience. It's a testimony to Daniel's established spiritual standing even while the events of his book (like the lion's den) were likely unfolding or not yet fully concluded, reinforcing the immediate and authentic nature of his exemplary righteousness. This verse indirectly addresses a common human tendency to presume upon God's mercy or to believe that the piety of a few will indefinitely cover the widespread sins of a community, a belief seen in ancient intercessory traditions where a righteous figure could turn away divine wrath. God here firmly sets the boundaries for such hope, illustrating that once a national sin-level reaches the 'point of no return', only individual salvation is guaranteed by personal righteousness.

Ezekiel 14 14 Commentary

Ezekiel 14:14 stands as a chilling declaration of God's final and uncompromising judgment against a nation that has exhaustively tested His patience. It shatters any illusion that the mere presence of a few exceptionally righteous individuals can perpetually deflect national doom when corporate sin has fully matured and earned its consequence. The reference to Noah, Daniel, and Job is not arbitrary; these figures represent the zenith of human piety across diverse eras. Noah alone was spared from the flood, Daniel lived in exemplary integrity amidst pagan corruption, and Job maintained blamelessness through intense suffering, even successfully interceding for others in his own limited sphere. However, their collective intercessory power is explicitly stated to be insufficient to prevent the complete desolation of an utterly wicked land. Their righteousness could only secure their own individual deliverance, underscoring the principle of individual accountability that parallels the nation's accountability. This verse communicates that there is a threshold of corporate rebellion beyond which God's judgment becomes irreversible and selective, protecting only the truly righteous on an individual basis, not for the sake of the many. It foreshadows the selective nature of judgment and grace where true spiritual separation is vital.