Elders' Idolatry and Its Consequences
Ezekiel 14:1-11
Eze.14.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבוא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מזקני: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:1 (verbal): Nearly identical scene and wording—'the elders ... sat before me'—the prophet receiving elders who sit before him (parallel phrase and setting).
- Numbers 11:16 (structural): God instructs Moses to gather seventy elders of Israel to stand with him—an assembly of Israel's elders called to meet with the prophet/leader (comparable institutional role).
- 1 Samuel 8:4-5 (thematic): 'All the elders of Israel' come to Samuel to request a king—elders approaching the prophet/judge as representatives of the people, analogous social function.
- Deuteronomy 1:9-13 (thematic): Moses convenes tribal leaders/elders to advise and judge the people—similar motif of elders gathered before a leader to present and decide communal matters.
Alternative generated candidates
- And certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me.
- And some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me.
Eze.14.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Hosea 1:1 (structural): Uses the prophetic opening formula ('the word of the LORD that came to Hosea')—a parallel structural framing device to Ezekiel's 'And the word of the LORD came to me, saying.'
- Jeremiah 1:4 (structural): Jeremiah likewise begins with the divine commission ('the word of the LORD came to me'), paralleling Ezekiel's introductory prophetic formula and establishing the same mode of revelation.
- Ezekiel 1:3 (verbal): Within the same book the phraseology for divine communication ('the word of the LORD came to me' / 'דברי יהוה אלי') recurs, showing the book's consistent use of the prophetic-revelation formula.
- Amos 7:1 (thematic): Amos introduces visions and divine disclosures with similar reception language ('the LORD showed me' / prophetic introduction), paralleling Ezekiel 14:2 in function—marking the transition into a divine message to the prophet.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
- And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Eze.14.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- העלו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,pl
- גלוליהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- לבם: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- ומכשול: NOUN,m,sg,abs+conj
- עונם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3mp
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- נכח: PREP
- פניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- האדרש: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg,def
- אדרש: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 14:4 (verbal): Repeats and expands the same language—people 'set up idols in their heart' and 'put the stumbling block of their iniquity' showing the motif is central to the chapter's judgment oracle.
- Isaiah 29:13 (thematic): Condemns outward worship while the heart is far from God—parallels the idea of inner idolatry and hypocritical seeking of God.
- Matthew 15:8-9 (quotation): Jesus cites Isaiah 29:13 to rebuke external piety when hearts are estranged—New Testament application of the same concern about inward idolatry and futile worship.
- Jeremiah 23:16-17 (thematic): Accuses false prophets of speaking from their own heart and leading the people astray—connects to setting up internal 'idols' and placing stumbling blocks before the people.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): Describes idols as the work of hands and those who trust them becoming like them—echoes the critique of idolatry's deceptive power and its spiritual danger.
Alternative generated candidates
- Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart and have placed a stumbling‑block of their sin before their faces. Shall I inquire of them? I, the LORD, will inquire of them.
- Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces; shall I be inquired of by them?
Eze.14.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- גלוליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,ms
- אל: NEG
- לבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ומכשול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg
- עונו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישים: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נכח: PREP
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- ובא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נעניתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גלוליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,ms
Parallels
- Ezek. 14:3 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same context: the phrase about setting up idols in the heart and placing a stumbling-block before the face appears almost verbatim in v.3, framing the prophet's complaint and judgment language continued in v.4.
- Ezek. 14:7 (structural): Develops the same theme: when people set up idols and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face, the LORD will refuse to be inquired of—echoing v.4's promise that God himself will respond (negatively) to one who comes with idols in his heart.
- Deut. 29:18-19 (thematic): Warns against a person whose heart turns to other gods and becomes a snare to the community; parallels Ezekiel's concern with inward idolatry (idols 'in the heart') producing communal judgment and alienation from God.
- Jer. 23:25-27 (thematic): Condemns false prophets who claim revelations from their own hearts and lead people astray; parallels the motif of seeking prophetic words while corrupted by idolatry and receiving false or condemned response from God.
- Hos. 4:12 (allusion): Speaks of Israel consulting idols ('the stick') and asking it for guidance—echoing Ezekiel's picture of people who set up idols and then seek prophetic/ divinatory guidance rather than true access to the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore speak to them, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Every man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart and places the stumbling‑block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet— I the LORD will answer him according to the abundance of his idols.
- Therefore speak to them and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Every one of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet to inquire of him— I the LORD will answer him; I will answer him.
Eze.14.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למען: PREP
- תפש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלבם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נזרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מעלי: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בגלוליהם: PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 14:3 (verbal): Immediate context: the same chapter describes people who have 'set up idols in their heart'—Ezekiel is to confront Israel about idols planted in their inner life, directly parallel language and situation.
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 (thematic): Contrasts the problem in 14:5 (hearts given to idols) with God's promise to give Israel a new heart and spirit, emphasizing divine intervention in the people's inner life.
- Isaiah 29:13 (thematic): Speaks of worship where 'their heart is far from me'—parallel theme of outward/inner separation from God and devotion to false objects rather than true worship.
- Matthew 15:8 (quotation): Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 ('These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me'), applying the Isaiah motif of hearts turned away to the New Testament—echoes Ezekiel's concern about inward idolatry.
- Jeremiah 2:11-13 (thematic): Jeremiah condemns Israel for exchanging the living God for worthless idols and forsaking the fountain of living waters—parallels Ezekiel's charge that Israel has set idols in their hearts and turned away from YHWH.
Alternative generated candidates
- So that you may lay hold of the house of Israel in the place where they have turned aside from me by all their idols.
- So that you may lay hold of the house of Israel in their hearts, for they have all turned aside from me by their idols.
Eze.14.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שובו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- והשיבו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- מעל: PREP
- גלוליכם: NOUN,m,pl,cons,2mp
- ומעל: PREP
- כל: DET
- תועבתיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2mp
- השיבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פניכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 18:30 (verbal): Same book and command: 'Repent and turn away from all your transgressions' (Hebrew שׁוּבו / שׁוּב), echoing the call to return and abandon sin/idols.
- Ezekiel 33:11 (thematic): God's summons to the people to 'turn and live' rather than die—similar motive language (repentance leading to life) and warning against iniquity.
- Hosea 14:1 (verbal): Direct imperative 'Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God' (שׁוּבו), a prophetic call to abandon sin and come back to God, closely paralleling Ezekiel's wording and theme.
- Joel 2:12 (thematic): A national call to 'return to me with all your heart' (repentance/turning back to God) mirroring Ezekiel's appeal to forsake idols and abominations.
- Isaiah 55:7 (thematic): Invitation to the wicked to 'forsake his way' and 'return to the LORD,' echoing the repent-and-turn motif and the promise of mercy upon turning from sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent, and remove your idols and all your abominations; turn away your faces.
- Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Return, and remove your idols and all your detestable things; turn your faces away from all your abominations.
Eze.14.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומהגר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יגור: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינזר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מאחרי: PREP
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- גלוליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- לבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ומכשול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עונו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישים: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נכח: PREP
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- ובא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לדרש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נענה: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 14:3-5 (structural): Immediate context: the same chapter describes people who 'set up their idols in their heart' and puts a stumbling-block before their face; the chapter contrasts seeking prophets with God's own response to such idolatry.
- Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (thematic): Warns against prophets or dreamers who entice to follow other gods; if a prophet's message turns people to idolatry, they are to be rejected—parallel concern about idolatry and prophetic authority.
- Jeremiah 23:16-22 (thematic): Condemns false prophets who speak from their own heart or from deceit rather than from the LORD and stresses that God did not send them—echoes Ezekiel's rebuke of seeking prophets while harboring idols.
- Isaiah 44:9-11 (thematic): Satirizes the folly of idol-makers and idol-worshippers whose hearts are deluded—parallels Ezekiel's emphasis on idols set 'in the heart' and the moral blindness it produces.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): Contrasts the LORD with lifeless idols that cannot speak or act; underscores the futility of trusting idols—relates to Ezekiel's concern about those who place stumbling-blocks before themselves and seek counsel apart from God.
Alternative generated candidates
- For any man of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from me and sets up his idols in his heart and places the stumbling‑block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to a prophet to inquire of him— I the LORD will answer him by myself.
- For each man of the house of Israel, and of the foreigner who sojourns in Israel, who separates himself from me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face and comes to the prophet to inquire of him— I the LORD will answer him.
Eze.14.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- באיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- והשמתיהו: VERB,hifil,impf,1,_,sg,obj-3ms
- לאות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולמשלים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והכרתיו: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg,obj-3ms
- מתוך: PREP
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- וידעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 20:3 (verbal): Uses virtually the same formula — 'I will set my face against that person and cut him off from among his people' — a legal/penal threat echoed in Ezekiel.
- Leviticus 18:29 (verbal): Declares that those who commit specified abominations 'shall be cut off from among their people,' echoing the punishment language of Ezekiel 14:8.
- Numbers 15:31 (verbal): Speaks of the sinner who acts 'with a high hand' and will be 'cut off from among his people,' paralleling Ezekiel’s motif of divine excision as judgment.
- Ezekiel 5:13 (structural): Ends with the same theological proving-statement — 'then you shall know that I am the LORD' — a recurring Ezekielal formula linking judgment with recognition of YHWH.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I will set my face against that man and make him a sign and a byword; I will cut him off from among my people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.
- And I will set my face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and you shall know that I am the LORD.
Eze.14.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- יפתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- פתיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- ונטיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- והשמדתיו: CONJ+VERB,hif,perf,1,m,sg+obj:3,m,sg
- מתוך: PREP
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (verbal): Law distinguishing true and false prophets: a prophet who speaks presumptuously in God's name is judged ('that prophet shall die'), echoing Ezekiel's theme of divine punishment for a deceived/false prophet.
- Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (thematic): Commands the death of a prophet or dreamer who urges Israel to follow other gods—another legal articulation of divine sanction against misleading prophetic speech.
- 1 Kings 22:20-23 (allusion): Narrative where the LORD puts a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets so they will entice him—parallels Ezekiel's statement that God can cause a prophet to be deceived.
- 1 Kings 13:11-32 (thematic): Story of a prophet from Judah who is deceived by an older prophet, disobeys God's command, and is slain—an illustrative precedent of a prophet being led astray and facing divine death.
- Jeremiah 28:15-17 (thematic): Judgment pronounced on the false prophet Hananiah (he is to die within the year), providing a prophetic example of punishment for false prophecy similar to Ezekiel's pronouncement.
Alternative generated candidates
- And as for the prophet, if he is enticed and speaks a word, I the LORD will entangle the prophet; I will stretch out my hand against him and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
- And if the prophet be enticed and speaks a word, I the LORD have enticed that prophet; I will stretch out my hand against him and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Eze.14.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונשאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עונם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3mp
- כעון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדרש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כעון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:20 (thematic): God declares that a prophet who presumptuously speaks in His name bears judgment—parallel concern with prophetic culpability and divine punishment for misleading words.
- Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (thematic): Laws against prophets or signs that lead Israel into idolatry; community and prophetic accountability for spiritual deception reflect Ezekiel’s linking of seeker and prophet guilt.
- Ezekiel 13:9 (verbal): Within Ezekiel the prophets and diviners are directly condemned; similar language of judgment against those who give false visions and the liability that follows them.
- Ezekiel 18:20 (thematic): Affirms individual responsibility—'the soul that sins shall die'—which resonates with the idea that each party bears the appropriate punishment for sin.
- Jeremiah 23:21-22 (allusion): God contrasts true and false prophets and pronounces consequences for false prophecy; echoes the principle that prophetic error brings divine judgment on both prophet and those led astray.
Alternative generated candidates
- Their guilt shall be the guilt of the one who consults—the guilt of the prophet shall be the same as the guilt of the seeker.
- And they shall bear their iniquity; the guilt of the seeker shall be like the guilt of the prophet.
Eze.14.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למען: PREP
- לא: PART_NEG
- יתעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,mp
- עוד: ADV
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאחרי: PREP
- ולא: CONJ
- יטמאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,mp
- עוד: ADV
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פשעיהם: NOUN,m,pl,poss
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לעם: PREP
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אהיה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 26:12 (verbal): Uses the same covenant formula—God promises presence and relationship: 'I will walk among you, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people.'
- Ezekiel 36:28 (verbal): Within Ezekiel’s restoration oracle the exact phrase recurs: a promise of return and the covenantal line 'ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.'
- Ezekiel 37:23 (verbal): Closely parallels the themes of ceasing to defile themselves with idols and the restored relationship—'they shall be my people, and I will be their God.'
- Jeremiah 30:22 (thematic): A prophetic promise of national restoration using the same relational language—'ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.'
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 (allusion): Paul echoes and applies the Old Testament covenantal language ('I will dwell in them... I will be their God, and they shall be my people'), showing New Testament appropriation of the promise of God’s presence and peoplehood.
Alternative generated candidates
- So that the house of Israel shall no longer stray from me or defile themselves with all their transgressions; that they may be my people and I may be their God, says the Lord GOD.
- That the house of Israel may no more go whoring after me, nor defile themselves any more with all their transgressions; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people, says the Lord GOD.
And some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Shall I be consulted by them?
Therefore speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Any man of the house of Israel who sets his idols in his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to a prophet to inquire of him— I the LORD will answer him myself.
In order that I may take hold of the house of Israel in their own hearts, because they have all become estranged from me by their idols.
Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent, turn back, and put away your idols and all your abominations; turn away your faces from your idols.
For any one of the house of Israel, or of the sojourner who lives in Israel, who separates himself from after me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face and comes to a prophet to inquire of him— I the LORD will answer him. And I will set my face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and will cut him off from among my people; and you shall know that I am the LORD. And if the prophet is enticed and has enticed him, I the LORD will be enticed also; I will stretch out my hand upon the prophet and will cut him off from the midst of my people Israel. And they shall bear their iniquity; the iniquity of the seeker shall be like the iniquity of the prophet. So that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, nor be defiled any more by all their transgressions, that they may be my people, and I may be their God, declares the Lord GOD.