King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:22 in the King James Version says “Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall co... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 14:22 · KJV


Context

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Remnant brought forth in this verse. Survivors bear witness, 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. Survivors bear witness 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 Remnant brought forth illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְהִנֵּ֨ה1 of 27
H2009

lo!

נֽוֹתְרָה2 of 27

Yet behold therein shall be left

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

בָּ֜הּ3 of 27
H0
פְּלֵטָ֗ה4 of 27

a remnant

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

יוֹצְאִ֣ים5 of 27

behold they shall come forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בָּנִ֣ים6 of 27

both 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

וּבָנוֹת֒7 of 27

and daughters

H1323

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

הִנָּם֙8 of 27
H2009

lo!

יוֹצְאִ֣ים9 of 27

behold they shall come forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם10 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וּרְאִיתֶ֥ם11 of 27

unto you and ye shall see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת12 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דַּרְכָּ֖ם13 of 27

their way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וְאֶת14 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲלִֽילוֹתָ֑ם15 of 27

and their doings

H5949

an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity

וְנִחַמְתֶּ֗ם16 of 27

and ye shall be comforted

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

עַל17 of 27
H5921

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

הָֽרָעָה֙18 of 27

concerning the evil

H7451

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר19 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵבֵ֖אתִי20 of 27

even concerning all that I have brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַל21 of 27
H5921

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

יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם22 of 27

upon Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֵ֛ת23 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל24 of 27
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר25 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵבֵ֖אתִי26 of 27

even concerning all that I have brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלֶֽיהָ׃27 of 27
H5921

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


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 14:22 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 14:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study