King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:13 in the King James Version says “Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and w...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Ezekiel 14:13 · KJV

Context

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:

14

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.

15

If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: spoil: or, bereave

Read Ezekiel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Land sins against me in this verse. Corporate guilt brings corporate judgment, 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.

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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. Corporate guilt brings corporate judgment 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 Land sins against me illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
בֶּן1 of 22

“Son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֥ם2 of 22

“man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אֶ֚רֶץ3 of 22

“when the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּ֤י4 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תֶחֱטָא5 of 22

“sinneth”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לִי֙6 of 22
H0
לִמְעָל7 of 22

“against me by trespassing”

H4603

properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously

מַ֔עַל8 of 22

“grievously”

H4604

treachery, i.e., sin

וְנָטִ֤יתִי9 of 22

“then will I stretch out”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

יָדִי֙10 of 22

“mine hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עָלֶ֔יהָ11 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְשָׁבַ֥רְתִּי12 of 22

“upon it and will break”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

לָ֖הּ13 of 22
H0
מַטֵּה14 of 22

“the staff”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

לָ֑חֶם15 of 22

“of the bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּי16 of 22

“thereof and will send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בָ֣הּ17 of 22
H0
רָעָ֔ב18 of 22

“famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י19 of 22

“upon it and will cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מִמֶּ֖נָּה20 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אָדָ֥ם21 of 22

“man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וּבְהֵמָֽה׃22 of 22

“and beast”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

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 14:13 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 14:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 26:26Ezekiel 4:16Ezekiel 14:17Isaiah 24:20Ezekiel 15:8Ezekiel 5:16

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