King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:11 in the King James Version says “That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:11 · King James Version


Context

9

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

10

And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;

11

That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.

12

The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,

13

Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
God addresses No more go astray in this verse. Purpose of judgment is restoration, demonstrating that God sees hearts and motives, not just external religious practices. The scenario reveals the futility of seeking God while maintaining idolatry—true inquiry requires undivided allegiance. Attempting to consult God while harboring idols represents the divided heart God rejects.

The passage illustrates that religious externals without heart reality constitute hypocrisy God abhors. Mere consultation of prophets, attendance at worship, or performance of rituals means nothing if the heart remains idolatrous. God demands total allegiance, not partial commitment combined with idolatrous hedging. The call is to genuine repentance involving both turning from sin and turning to God.

From a Reformed perspective, this passage teaches the doctrine of regeneration's necessity. External religion without heart transformation cannot save. Only the Spirit's work creating new hearts produces genuine faith and repentance. Attempts to maintain both God and idols reveal unregenerate hearts needing divine recreation, not mere moral reformation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The elders coming to Ezekiel (v. 1) represented Jerusalem's leadership or fellow exiles seeking prophetic guidance. However, God revealed their secret idolatry—they maintained household gods or idolatrous practices while outwardly seeking Yahweh. This duplicity characterized pre-exilic Israel and necessitated judgment. Purpose of judgment is restoration within this context of widespread syncretism where people attempted to hedge spiritual bets by worshiping both Yahweh and other deities. Archaeological discoveries of household figurines and foreign cult objects in Israelite homes confirm this pattern. The practice violated the Shema's demand for exclusive love and loyalty to Yahweh (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage expose the futility of religious practices divorced from heart reality?
  2. What modern idols do people attempt to maintain while still seeking God's blessing?
  3. In what ways does No more go astray illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
לְ֠מַעַן1 of 22
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

לֹֽא2 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִתְע֨וּ3 of 22

may go no more astray

H8582

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

ע֤וֹד4 of 22
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בֵּֽית5 of 22

That the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙6 of 22

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מֵאַֽחֲרַ֔י7 of 22

from me

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וְלֹֽא8 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִטַּמְּא֥וּ9 of 22

neither be polluted

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

ע֖וֹד10 of 22
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בְּכָל11 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֑ם12 of 22

any more with all their transgressions

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

וְהָֽיוּ13 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִ֣י14 of 22
H0
לְעָ֗ם15 of 22

but that they may be my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַֽאֲנִי֙16 of 22
H589

i

אֶהְיֶ֤ה17 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָהֶם֙18 of 22
H0
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים19 of 22

and I may be their God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נְאֻ֖ם20 of 22

saith

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י21 of 22

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֽה׃22 of 22

GOD

H3069

god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 14:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 14:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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