King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:23 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:23 in the King James Version says “And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without caus... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 14:23 · KJV


Context

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 Ye shall be comforted in this verse. Understanding judgment brings acceptance, 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. Understanding judgment brings acceptance 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 Ye shall be comforted illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְנִחֲמ֣וּ1 of 21

And they shall comfort

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

אֶתְכֶ֔ם2 of 21
H853

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

כִּֽי3 of 21
H3588

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

תִרְא֥וּ4 of 21

you when ye see

H7200

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

אֶת5 of 21
H853

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

דַּרְכָּ֖ם6 of 21

their ways

H1870

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

וְאֶת7 of 21
H853

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

עֲלִֽילוֹתָ֑ם8 of 21

and their doings

H5949

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

וִֽידַעְתֶּ֗ם9 of 21

and ye shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּי֩10 of 21
H3588

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

לֹ֨א11 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חִנָּ֤ם12 of 21

without cause

H2600

gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage

עָשִׂ֣יתִי13 of 21

all that I have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֵ֣ת14 of 21
H853

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

כָּל15 of 21
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר16 of 21
H834

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

עָשִׂ֣יתִי17 of 21

all that I have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בָ֔הּ18 of 21
H0
נְאֻ֖ם19 of 21

in it saith

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י20 of 21

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִֹֽה׃21 of 21

GOD

H3069

god


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 14:23 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 14:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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