Ezekiel 14:22
Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.
Original Language Analysis
נֽוֹתְרָה
Yet behold therein shall be left
H3498
נֽוֹתְרָה
Yet behold therein shall be left
Strong's:
H3498
Word #:
2 of 27
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
יוֹצְאִ֣ים
behold they shall come forth
H3318
יוֹצְאִ֣ים
behold they shall come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 27
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בָּנִ֣ים
both sons
H1121
בָּנִ֣ים
both sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבָנוֹת֒
and daughters
H1323
וּבָנוֹת֒
and daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
7 of 27
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
יוֹצְאִ֣ים
behold they shall come forth
H3318
יוֹצְאִ֣ים
behold they shall come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
9 of 27
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וּרְאִיתֶ֥ם
unto you and ye shall see
H7200
וּרְאִיתֶ֥ם
unto you and ye shall see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
11 of 27
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דַּרְכָּ֖ם
their way
H1870
דַּרְכָּ֖ם
their way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
13 of 27
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲלִֽילוֹתָ֑ם
and their doings
H5949
עֲלִֽילוֹתָ֑ם
and their doings
Strong's:
H5949
Word #:
15 of 27
an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
וְנִחַמְתֶּ֗ם
and ye shall be comforted
H5162
וְנִחַמְתֶּ֗ם
and ye shall be comforted
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
16 of 27
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽרָעָה֙
concerning the evil
H7451
הָֽרָעָה֙
concerning the evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
18 of 27
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵבֵ֖אתִי
even concerning all that I have brought
H935
הֵבֵ֖אתִי
even concerning all that I have brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
20 of 27
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
upon Jerusalem
H3389
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
upon Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
22 of 27
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
אֵ֛ת
H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
25 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Ezekiel 12:16But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 20:43And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
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. Survivors bear witness 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 Remnant brought forth 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 Remnant brought forth in this verse. Survivors bear witness, 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.