King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:7 in the King James Version says “For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, an... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Ezekiel 14:7 · KJV


Context

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.

9

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Stranger that separates in this verse. Even foreigners accountable, 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. Even foreigners accountable 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 Stranger that separates illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
כִּי֩1 of 31
H3588

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

אִ֜ישׁ2 of 31

For every one

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)

אִ֜ישׁ3 of 31

For every one

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)

מִבֵּ֣ית4 of 31

of the house

H1004

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

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל֒5 of 31

in Israel

H3478

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

וּמֵהַגֵּר֮6 of 31

or of the stranger

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

אֲשֶׁר7 of 31
H834

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

יָג֣וּר8 of 31

that sojourneth

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל֒9 of 31

in Israel

H3478

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

וְיִנָּזֵ֣ר10 of 31

which separateth

H5144

to hold aloof, i.e., (intransitivey) abstain (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (i.e., apostatize)); specifically, to s

מֵֽאַחֲרַ֗י11 of 31

himself from me

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וְיַ֤עַל12 of 31

and setteth up

H5927

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

גִּלּוּלָיו֙13 of 31

his idols

H1544

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

אֶל14 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לִבּ֔וֹ15 of 31

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

וּמִכְשׁ֣וֹל16 of 31

the stumblingblock

H4383

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

עֲוֹנ֔וֹ17 of 31

of his iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

יָשִׂ֖ים18 of 31

and putteth

H7760

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

נֹ֣כַח19 of 31

before

H5227

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

פָּנָ֑יו20 of 31

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

וּבָ֤א21 of 31

and cometh

H935

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

אֶל22 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַנָּבִיא֙23 of 31

to a prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

לִדְרָשׁ24 of 31

to enquire

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

ל֣וֹ25 of 31
H0
בִ֔י26 of 31
H0
אֲנִ֣י27 of 31
H589

i

יְהוָ֔ה28 of 31

of him concerning me I the LORD

H3068

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

נַֽעֲנֶה29 of 31

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,

לּ֖וֹ30 of 31
H0
בִּֽי׃31 of 31
H0

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 14:7 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 14:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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