Ezekiel 14:2 kjv
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 14:2 nkjv
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ezekiel 14:2 niv
Then the word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 14:2 esv
And the word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 14:2 nlt
this message came to me from the LORD:
Ezekiel 14 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 14:3 | "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their heart..." | Ezekiel 14:4 |
| Isaiah 2:8 | "...They bow down to the work of their hands, to the things that their own fingers have made." | Isaiah 2:8 (Idolatry) |
| Jeremiah 5:7 | "How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by those who are no gods..." | Jeremiah 5:7 (Unfaithfulness) |
| John 2:15 | "Jesus found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers..." | John 2:15 (Corruption) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:14 | "Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry." | 1 Cor 10:14 (Flee Idolatry) |
| Psalm 115:4 | "But their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands." | Ps 115:4 (Idol Creation) |
| 1 John 5:21 | "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." | 1 John 5:21 (Warning) |
| Jeremiah 16:10-12 | "And it shall come to pass, when you show this people all these words, and they say to you..." | Jeremiah 16:10-12 (Rejection) |
| Hosea 4:6 | "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." | Hosea 4:6 (Spiritual Ignorance) |
| Revelation 2:14 | "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam..." | Rev 2:14 (False Teachings) |
| Leviticus 19:30 | "You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord." | Lev 19:30 (Reverence) |
| Ezekiel 18:31 | "Cast away from you all your transgressions, by which you have transgressed, and make you a new heart..." | Ezekiel 18:31 (New Heart) |
| Deuteronomy 29:18 | "...lest there be among you a root that bears poison and bitterness." | Deut 29:18 (Bitterness) |
| Psalm 81:12 | "So I gave them up to their own hearts’ lust, and let them follow their own wicked devices." | Ps 81:12 (Abandonment) |
| Amos 8:11 | "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord GOD, That I will send a famine on the land..." | Amos 8:11 (Spiritual Famine) |
| Matthew 15:8 | "These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me." | Matt 15:8 (Heart vs Lips) |
| Acts 7:51 | "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit..." | Acts 7:51 (Resist Spirit) |
| Romans 1:23 | "...and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man..." | Rom 1:23 (Man-made Images) |
| Ezekiel 20:31 | "For when you offer your gifts and your sons are made to pass through the fire, you defile yourselves..." | Ezekiel 20:31 (Sacrifices) |
| 1 Kings 18:21 | "And Elijah came to all the people, and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions?'" | 1 Kings 18:21 (Indecision) |
Ezekiel 14 verses
Ezekiel 14 2 Meaning
The elders of Israel approached Ezekiel seeking divine guidance, bringing idol worship and the elders' disrespect for God to His attention. This interaction reveals their turning away from the Lord.
Ezekiel 14 2 Context
Chapter 14 of Ezekiel addresses the hypocrisy of some elders of Israel. They sought counsel from Ezekiel, a prophet of God, yet their hearts were still set on idolatry. This passage occurs during the Babylonian exile, a period where the Israelites' faith was tested. The elders represent a segment of the people who outwardly appeared to seek God but secretly harbored allegiance to false gods and forbidden practices. God's response through Ezekiel highlights that seeking Him while cherishing sin is unacceptable and will result in God withholding His counsel, judging them as if they were their idols. This mirrors earlier instances in Israel's history where divided loyalties led to divine judgment.
Ezekiel 14 2 Word Analysis
- And (וְ / ve): A conjunction, connecting the act of coming to Ezekiel with the following clauses. It signifies sequence or continuation.
- come to pass (וַיְהִי / vay'hi): This phrase introduces events. It establishes the scene.
- men of Israel (אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל / anshey Yisrael): Refers to individuals belonging to the people of Israel, specifically here, the elders. "Anshey" emphasizes persons or men.
- and certain (וּמִן / umin): "U" meaning "and," and "min" meaning "from." It introduces a selection or a part from a larger group, here, certain elders.
- of the elders (זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל / zikney Yisrael): "Zikney" is the plural of "zaken," meaning elder, specifically an elder or leader in society, often with authority and wisdom. This group represents leadership in the community.
- of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל / Yisrael): The nation descended from Jacob (Israel).
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And come to pass, and certain of the elders of Israel came to me": This opening sets the scene, indicating that a delegation of Israelite elders approached the prophet. The specific phrasing "certain of the elders" suggests it wasn't all elders but a portion, perhaps those concerned or those acting hypocritically.
- "to me": Points to Ezekiel as the recipient of their inquiry.
Ezekiel 14 2 Bonus Section
The act of the elders coming to Ezekiel in this manner suggests a need for direction or reassurance, perhaps in light of the ongoing exile and judgment. Their intent to "inquire of the Lord" outwardly aligns with seeking God, but the deeper issue, revealed in the subsequent verses, is the contamination of their hearts with idolatry. This highlights a critical distinction: outward religious activity is not a substitute for inward devotion. The elders’ approach also points to a societal structure where elders were expected to intercede or seek wisdom on behalf of the community. Ezekiel’s prophecy challenges this role by focusing on the individual heart's condition as primary to receiving God's response.
Ezekiel 14 2 Commentary
This verse records a specific instance of interaction between Ezekiel and the elders of Israel. Despite being in exile, some elders still sought guidance from God's prophet. However, their inquiry was prompted by underlying sin—the worship of idols in their hearts. God, through Ezekiel, made it clear that He would not offer His word to those who were divided in their loyalty, who honored Him with their lips but whose hearts were far from Him. This underscores the importance of genuine faith and wholehearted devotion to God. It warns against religious perfunctory acts that lack true spiritual commitment.