Ezekiel 14:3
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
Son
H1121
בֶּן
Son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֗ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֗ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 16
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים
H376
הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 16
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)
הֶעֱל֤וּ
have set up
H5927
הֶעֱל֤וּ
have set up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
5 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
גִלּֽוּלֵיהֶם֙
their idols
H1544
גִלּֽוּלֵיהֶם֙
their idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִבָּ֔ם
in their heart
H3820
לִבָּ֔ם
in their heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
8 of 16
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וּמִכְשׁ֣וֹל
the stumblingblock
H4383
וּמִכְשׁ֣וֹל
the stumblingblock
Strong's:
H4383
Word #:
9 of 16
a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)
נָתְנ֖וּ
and put
H5414
נָתְנ֖וּ
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נֹ֣כַח
before
H5227
נֹ֣כַח
before
Strong's:
H5227
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of
פְּנֵיהֶ֑ם
their face
H6440
פְּנֵיהֶ֑ם
their face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
13 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ
of at all
H1875
אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ
of at all
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
Cross References
Ezekiel 14:7For 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 7:19They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.Isaiah 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.Ezekiel 20:3Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.Ezekiel 20:16Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.Ezekiel 14:4Therefore 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;Proverbs 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.Ezekiel 44:12Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.Ezekiel 20:31For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Historical Context
The elders came to Ezekiel seeking a prophetic word (14:1), appearing outwardly religious. Yet God exposed their heart idolatry—they wanted divine blessing while maintaining allegiance to other gods. This pattern characterized pre-exilic Judah—temple worship continued while hearts pursued idols. Archaeological discoveries confirm household idols were common even among those who participated in temple worship. God's refusal to be 'enquired of' by double-minded inquirers demonstrates that He demands exclusive devotion. The New Testament similarly condemns double-mindedness (James 1:6-8, 4:8) and serving two masters (Matthew 6:24).
Questions for Reflection
- What 'idols of the heart' do you maintain while seeking God's guidance—what competes for your ultimate allegiance?
- How does recognizing that God sees heart idolatry (not just outward actions) challenge your worship and devotion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God reveals the elders' hidden sin: 'Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?' The phrase 'idols in their heart' (gillulim ba-lebam, גִּלּוּלִים בְּלִבָּם) describes internal idolatry—even without physical images, the heart worships false gods. The 'stumblingblock of their iniquity' (mikhshol avonam, מִכְשׁוֹל עֲוֹנָם) indicates that sin creates obstacles to spiritual sight and right worship. The rhetorical question 'should I be enquired of?' shows God refuses to answer those who maintain heart idolatry while seeking divine guidance. Hypocrisy—outward religious form masking inward idolatry—offends God more than open paganism. God demands heart purity, not mere external compliance.