King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:4 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:4 in the King James Version says “Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

Ezekiel 14:4 · KJV


Context

2

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

3

Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

4

Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

5

That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

6

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. yourselves: or, others


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols." God refuses to answer prayers when idols occupy the heart. The phrase "idols in his heart" reveals that idolatry is internal before external. Coming to prophets while cherishing idols is hypocrisy God will not bless. Instead of desired answers, idolaters receive judicial responses confirming their idolatrous choices. This warns that unrepentant sin blocks prayer. God demands exclusive devotion, not divided loyalty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The elders consulting Ezekiel (590 BC) maintained external religiosity while harboring internal idolatry. They wanted prophetic guidance while refusing to abandon false gods. God exposed their hypocrisy and warned He would answer according to their idols—confirming their deluded choices. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: God hardens those who persistently reject truth (Romans 1:24-28). The principle guards against presuming on God's favor while maintaining pet sins. True prayer requires genuine repentance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What idols occupy your heart while you maintain external religiosity?
  2. How does God's threat to answer according to idols warn against praying while cherishing sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
לָכֵ֣ן1 of 34
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

דַּבֵּר2 of 34

Therefore speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

א֠וֹתָם3 of 34
H853

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

אָמַ֣ר׀4 of 34

unto them Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם5 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּה6 of 34
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר׀7 of 34

unto them Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י8 of 34

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִ֗ה9 of 34

GOD

H3069

god

אִ֣ישׁ10 of 34

Every man

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)

אִ֣ישׁ11 of 34

Every man

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)

מִבֵּ֣ית12 of 34

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל13 of 34

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁר֩14 of 34
H834

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

יַעֲלֶ֨ה15 of 34

that setteth up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶת16 of 34
H853

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

גִּלּוּלָֽיו׃17 of 34

his idols

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

אֶל18 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לִבּ֗וֹ19 of 34

in his heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וּמִכְשׁ֤וֹל20 of 34

the stumblingblock

H4383

a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)

עֲוֹנוֹ֙21 of 34

of his iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

יָשִׂים֙22 of 34

and putteth

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

נֹ֣כַח23 of 34

before

H5227

properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of

פָּנָ֔יו24 of 34

his face

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

וּבָ֖א25 of 34

and cometh

H935

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

אֶל26 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַנָּבִ֑יא27 of 34

to the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֲנִ֣י28 of 34
H589

i

יְהוָ֗ה29 of 34

I the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נַעֲנֵ֧יתִי30 of 34

will answer

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

ל֦וֹ31 of 34
H0
בָ֖ה32 of 34
H0
בְּרֹ֥ב33 of 34

according to the multitude

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

גִּלּוּלָֽיו׃34 of 34

his idols

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol


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 14:4 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 14:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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