Ezekiel 14:11
That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
לְ֠מַעַן
H4616
לְ֠מַעַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתְע֨וּ
may go no more astray
H8582
יִתְע֨וּ
may go no more astray
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
3 of 22
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
ע֤וֹד
H5750
ע֤וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בֵּֽית
That the house
H1004
בֵּֽית
That the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵאַֽחֲרַ֔י
from me
H310
מֵאַֽחֲרַ֔י
from me
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִטַּמְּא֥וּ
neither be polluted
H2930
יִטַּמְּא֥וּ
neither be polluted
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
9 of 22
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֑ם
any more with all their transgressions
H6588
פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֑ם
any more with all their transgressions
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
12 of 22
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
וְהָֽיוּ
H1961
וְהָֽיוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְעָ֗ם
but that they may be my people
H5971
לְעָ֗ם
but that they may be my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
15 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶהְיֶ֤ה
H1961
אֶהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים
and I may be their God
H430
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים
and I may be their God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Ezekiel 37:23Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.Ezekiel 44:10And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.Ezekiel 48:11It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.Revelation 21:7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.Hebrews 11:16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.Jeremiah 11:4Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:Jeremiah 32:38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:Jeremiah 31:33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.Ezekiel 44:15But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:Ezekiel 39:22So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.
Historical 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. Purpose of judgment is restoration 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage expose the futility of religious practices divorced from heart reality?
- What modern idols do people attempt to maintain while still seeking God's blessing?
- In what ways does No more go astray illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God addresses No more go astray in this verse. Purpose of judgment is restoration, 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.