King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:6 in the King James Version says “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn a...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 14:6 · KJV

Context

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

7

For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

8

And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Read Ezekiel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Repent and turn in this verse. Call to genuine conversion, 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. Call to genuine conversion 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 Repent and turn illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 18
H3651

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

אָמַר֙2 of 18

“Therefore say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית4 of 18

“unto the house”

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל5 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

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

כֹּ֤ה6 of 18
H3541

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

אָמַר֙7 of 18

“Therefore say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י8 of 18

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה9 of 18

“GOD”

H3069

god

הָשִׁ֥יבוּ10 of 18

“Repent”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הָשִׁ֥יבוּ11 of 18

“Repent”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מֵעַ֖ל12 of 18
H5921

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

גִּלּֽוּלֵיכֶ֑ם13 of 18

“yourselves from your idols”

H1544

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

וּמֵעַ֥ל14 of 18
H5921

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

כָּל15 of 18
H3605

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

תּוֹעֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם16 of 18

“from all your abominations”

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

הָשִׁ֥יבוּ17 of 18

“Repent”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

פְנֵיכֶֽם׃18 of 18

“your faces”

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

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 14:6 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 14:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 18:30Ezekiel 36:31-32James 4:8-10Isaiah 30:22Lamentations 3:39-41Isaiah 2:20

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 14 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes