Ezekiel 14:7

Authorized King James Version

For 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:

Word-by-Word Analysis

כִּי֩

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִ֜ישׁ

H376

For every one

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)

אִ֜ישׁ

H376

For every one

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

H1004

of the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל֒

H3478

in Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּמֵהַגֵּר֮

H1616

or of the stranger

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָג֣וּר

H1481

that sojourneth

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל֒

H3478

in Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#10

וְיִנָּזֵ֣ר

H5144

which separateth

to hold aloof, i.e., (intransitivey) abstain (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (i.e., apostatize)); specifically, to s

#11

מֵֽאַחֲרַ֗י

H310

himself from me

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#12

וְיַ֤עַל

H5927

and setteth up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#13

גִּלּוּלָיו֙

H1544

his idols

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

#14

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

לִבּ֔וֹ

H3820

in his heart

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

#16

וּמִכְשׁ֣וֹל

H4383

the stumblingblock

a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)

#17

עֲוֹנ֔וֹ

H5771

of his iniquity

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

#18

יָשִׂ֖ים

H7760

and putteth

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#19

נֹ֣כַח

H5227

before

properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of

#20

פָּנָ֑יו

H6440

his face

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#21

וּבָ֤א

H935

and cometh

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#22

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#23

הַנָּבִיא֙

H5030

to a prophet

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

#24

לִדְרָשׁ

H1875

to enquire

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

#25

ל֣וֹ

#26

בִ֔י

#27

אֲנִ֣י

H589

#28

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

of him concerning me I the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#29

נַֽעֲנֶה

H6030

will answer

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,

#30

לּ֖וֹ

#31

בִּֽי׃

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 14 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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