Ezekiel 14 7

Ezekiel 14:7 kjv

For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

Ezekiel 14:7 nkjv

For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself.

Ezekiel 14:7 niv

"?'When any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing in Israel separate themselves from me and set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet to inquire of me, I the LORD will answer them myself.

Ezekiel 14:7 esv

For any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult me through him, I the LORD will answer him myself.

Ezekiel 14:7 nlt

I, the LORD, will answer all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice.

Ezekiel 14 verses

Ezekiel 14 7 Meaning

Ezekiel 14:7 describes a specific situation where individuals, whether native Israelites or resident aliens, approach a prophet to inquire of God, yet simultaneously harbor idolatry in their hearts and intentionally maintain a life of sin. God declares that He Himself will respond directly to such individuals, but this "answer" will be a declaration of judgment and separation, not the guidance or favor they seek. The verse emphasizes God's discernment of inward spiritual condition over outward religious observance.

Ezekiel 14 7 Context

Ezekiel 14 forms part of God's message of judgment to the exiles in Babylon and to the remnant still in Jerusalem. Specifically, it addresses the issue of elders of Israel who come to Ezekiel "to inquire of the Lord" (v. 1), but God immediately declares that these very men have set up idols in their hearts (v. 3). The chapter condemns those who feign devotion while harboring secret idolatry, extending this warning to all people, whether Israelite or sojourner, who exhibit such hypocrisy. Verse 7 deepens this pronouncement, explicitly detailing the actions of those God will judge directly. This divine response serves not as a comforting oracle but as a declaration of judgment and severing, aiming to purify Israel and reveal God's true nature to them (vv. 8-11). Historically, Judah was in spiritual decline, steeped in idolatry and false prophecy, necessitating a clear articulation of God's unyielding standard for genuine worship.

Ezekiel 14 7 Word analysis

• For everyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel:
  • This phrase emphasizes the universality of God's righteous standard. It applies equally to native-born Israelites, inheritors of the covenant, and to "strangers" (גֵּרִים, gērim), resident aliens who had taken up residence among God's people. This highlights God's justice extending beyond ethnic lines to anyone who claims association with His covenant community. It implies that adoption into the community carried responsibilities, not just privileges.
• who separates himself from Me:
  • The Hebrew verb used here, נִפְרַד (niph-rad), implies a deliberate act of withdrawing or going astray. It denotes an active, volitional choice to distance oneself from God. This is not passive neglect, but a conscious spiritual divergence from a relationship with God. It signifies apostasy or disloyalty, breaking away from the covenant bond.
• and sets up his idols in his heart:
  • "Idols" (גִּלֻּלִים, gillulim) is a pejorative term predominantly used by Ezekiel, meaning "dung-gods" or "filth-gods." This term strongly emphasizes the worthlessness and defiling nature of the objects of worship.
  • "in his heart" (בִּלְבָבוֹ, bi-lib-bōw): This is crucial. It points to internal, spiritual idolatry, not just the physical worship of statues. It speaks of a mind and affections alienated from God, where allegiance, desire, and trust are given to something other than Him. It signifies inner commitment to things that supplant God's rightful place.
• and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face:
  • "Stumbling block" (מִכְשׁוֹל, mik-shōl) literally means an obstacle that causes one to trip and fall. Spiritually, it refers to that which causes moral or spiritual offense, leading to sin and destruction.
  • "his iniquity" (עֲוֹנוֹ, ă-wōnōw): Denotes deep-seated guilt and rebellion, the consequence and the cause of moral failure.
  • "before his face" implies a conscious and open embrace of sin, as if one has deliberately placed an impediment in their path that prevents them from seeing or pursuing righteousness. It's a defiant engagement with their chosen path of sin.
• and comes to the prophet to inquire of Me concerning him:
  • This highlights the hypocrisy. The outward action of approaching a prophet (לִדְרֹשׁ, lid-rōsh, "to seek, to inquire") of the Lord suggests a desire for divine guidance or a revelation. However, this is undermined by the previous phrases – their heart condition contradicts their outward pretense. They seek God's voice, not for repentance, but perhaps for affirmation, manipulation, or to maintain a facade.
• I Myself will answer him through My Own hand:
  • "I Myself" (וַאֲנִי, wa-’ă-nī): An emphatic declaration of God's personal and direct involvement. It underscores His sovereignty and resolution.
  • "will answer him" (אֶעֱנֶה־בּוֹ, e‘ĕneh-bōw): While ‘ānāh normally means to answer a question or petition, in this context, given the preceding declarations, it clearly means to "answer him against him" or to respond with judgment. It's an ironic answer, granting the form but twisting the substance of what they hoped for.
  • "through My Own hand" (בִּי, bî, "in Myself" or "by Myself"): A direct, powerful, and unmediated act of divine judgment. "Hand" often symbolizes power, intervention, and authority, here specifically for punitive action. This signifies God taking decisive, personal action, ensuring that His righteous judgment is fully carried out without any intermediary.

Ezekiel 14 7 Bonus section

This verse functions as a polemic against the pervasive ancient Near Eastern idea, often prevalent even among Israelites, that ritualistic actions or consulting divine oracles could appease gods or circumvent the consequences of a disobedient lifestyle. By asserting that God sees and condemns the inner idol, it subverts any belief in magical or superficial piety. The emphasis on God's "own hand" directly addressing the individual challenges the notion that priests or prophets could intercede on behalf of a person in this specific state, highlighting an unmediated divine reckoning for those in flagrant, internal rebellion. The inclusion of "strangers who sojourn in Israel" underscores that God's moral law and the principles of genuine worship are not exclusively for the descendants of Abraham by blood, but apply to anyone who identifies with His people, calling all to a true walk of faith and ethical conduct, not just ceremonial adherence.

Ezekiel 14 7 Commentary

Ezekiel 14:7 is a stark pronouncement against spiritual duplicity and religious hypocrisy. It reveals God's unblinking insight into the human heart, where hidden idols and cherished sins are fully exposed, even when cloaked in outward piety. The verse highlights that proximity to the covenant community (Israelite or sojourner), or even engaging in religious practices like consulting a prophet, holds no favor with God if the heart is unrepentant and devoted to sin. God sees the deep-seated affections (idols in the heart) and the willful indulgence of sinful ways (stumbling block of iniquity). His promised "answer" to such inquiries is not a blessing or guidance, but a direct, personal judgment, a severing of the unholy pretense. It serves as a severe warning against presuming upon God's grace while harboring a divided heart, emphasizing that genuine worship demands full integrity and commitment.