King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:16 in the King James Version says “Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they on...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 14:16 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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:

18

Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

Read Ezekiel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Deliver neither sons in this verse. Personal righteousness insufficient for others, 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. Personal righteousness insufficient for others 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 Deliver neither sons illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת1 of 20

“Though these three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים2 of 20
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָאֵלֶּה֮3 of 20
H428

these or those

בְּתוֹכָהּ֒4 of 20

“were in it”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

חַי5 of 20

“as I live”

H2416

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

אָ֗נִי6 of 20
H589

i

נְאֻם֙7 of 20

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֣י8 of 20

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה9 of 20

“GOD”

H3069

god

אִם10 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בָּנִ֥ים11 of 20

“neither sons”

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

וְאִם12 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בָּנ֖וֹת13 of 20

“nor daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יִנָּצֵ֔לוּ14 of 20

“they only shall be delivered”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

הֵ֤מָּה15 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לְבַדָּם֙16 of 20
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

יִנָּצֵ֔לוּ17 of 20

“they only shall be delivered”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

וְהָאָ֖רֶץ18 of 20

“but the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תִּהְיֶ֥ה19 of 20
H1961

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

שְׁמָמָֽה׃20 of 20

“shall be desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

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 14:16 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 14:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 19:29Job 22:20Hebrews 11:7Ezekiel 18:20Matthew 18:19-20Genesis 18:23-33

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