Ezekiel 14:4
Therefore 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;
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֣ן
H3651
לָכֵ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 34
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
דַּבֵּר
Therefore speak
H1696
דַּבֵּר
Therefore speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
2 of 34
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
א֠וֹתָם
H853
א֠וֹתָם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֹּה
H3541
כֹּה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
6 of 34
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אִ֣ישׁ
Every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
Every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 34
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)
אִ֣ישׁ
Every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
Every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 34
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)
מִבֵּ֣ית
of the house
H1004
מִבֵּ֣ית
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
12 of 34
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 34
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 34
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַעֲלֶ֨ה
that setteth up
H5927
יַעֲלֶ֨ה
that setteth up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
15 of 34
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גִּלּוּלָֽיו׃
his idols
H1544
גִּלּוּלָֽיו׃
his idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
17 of 34
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
לִבּ֗וֹ
in his heart
H3820
לִבּ֗וֹ
in his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
19 of 34
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וּמִכְשׁ֤וֹל
the stumblingblock
H4383
וּמִכְשׁ֤וֹל
the stumblingblock
Strong's:
H4383
Word #:
20 of 34
a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)
יָשִׂים֙
and putteth
H7760
יָשִׂים֙
and putteth
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
22 of 34
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
נֹ֣כַח
before
H5227
נֹ֣כַח
before
Strong's:
H5227
Word #:
23 of 34
properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of
פָּנָ֔יו
his face
H6440
פָּנָ֔יו
his face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
24 of 34
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֗ה
I the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
I the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
29 of 34
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נַעֲנֵ֧יתִי
will answer
H6030
נַעֲנֵ֧יתִי
will answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
30 of 34
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,
Cross References
Isaiah 66:4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.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:Isaiah 3:11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
Historical Context
The elders consulting Ezekiel (590 BC) maintained external religiosity while harboring internal idolatry. They wanted prophetic guidance while refusing to abandon false gods. God exposed their hypocrisy and warned He would answer according to their idols—confirming their deluded choices. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: God hardens those who persistently reject truth (Romans 1:24-28). The principle guards against presuming on God's favor while maintaining pet sins. True prayer requires genuine repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- What idols occupy your heart while you maintain external religiosity?
- How does God's threat to answer according to idols warn against praying while cherishing sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Therefore 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." God refuses to answer prayers when idols occupy the heart. The phrase "idols in his heart" reveals that idolatry is internal before external. Coming to prophets while cherishing idols is hypocrisy God will not bless. Instead of desired answers, idolaters receive judicial responses confirming their idolatrous choices. This warns that unrepentant sin blocks prayer. God demands exclusive devotion, not divided loyalty.