King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:21 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:21 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine,...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? How: or, Also when”

Ezekiel 14:21 · KJV

Context

19

Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:

20

Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

21

For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? How: or, Also when

22

Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.

23

And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.

Read Ezekiel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Four sore judgments in this verse. Comprehensive divine wrath, 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. Comprehensive divine wrath 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 Four sore judgments illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כִּי֩1 of 22
H3588

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

כֹ֨ה2 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֜ר3 of 22

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 22

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִֹ֔ה5 of 22

“GOD”

H3069

god

אַ֣ף6 of 22
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

כִּֽי7 of 22
H3588

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

אַרְבַּ֣עַת8 of 22

“my four”

H702

four

שְׁפָטַ֣י׀9 of 22

“judgments”

H8201

a sentence, i.e., infliction

רָעָה֙10 of 22

“and the noisome”

H7451

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

חֶ֠רֶב11 of 22

“the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וְרָעָ֞ב12 of 22

“and the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וְחַיָּ֤ה13 of 22

“beast”

H2416

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

רָעָה֙14 of 22

“and the noisome”

H7451

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

וָדֶ֔בֶר15 of 22

“and the pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

שִׁלַּ֖חְתִּי16 of 22

“How much more when I send”

H7971

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

אֶל17 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם18 of 22

“upon Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לְהַכְרִ֥ית19 of 22

“to 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

“from it 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 14:21 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 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 5:17Ezekiel 33:27Ezekiel 14:19Ezekiel 14:15Ezekiel 14:13Ezekiel 14:17

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezekiel 14 →

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