King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:15 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:15 in the King James Version says “If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass thro... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 14:15 · KJV


Context

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

16

Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. in it: Heb. in the midst of it

17

Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Evil beasts through land in this verse. Wild animals as 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. Wild animals as 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 Evil beasts through land illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
לֽוּ1 of 12

If

H3863

a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!

הַחַיָּֽה׃2 of 12

beasts

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

רָעָ֛ה3 of 12

I cause noisome

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

עוֹבֵ֔ר4 of 12

that no man may pass through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בָּאָ֖רֶץ5 of 12

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְשִׁכְּלָ֑תָּה6 of 12

and they spoil

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

וְהָיְתָ֤ה7 of 12
H1961

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

שְׁמָמָה֙8 of 12

it so that it be desolate

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

מִבְּלִ֣י9 of 12
H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

עוֹבֵ֔ר10 of 12

that no man may pass through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

מִפְּנֵ֖י11 of 12

because

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַחַיָּֽה׃12 of 12

beasts

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin


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 14:15 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 14:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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