Ezekiel 14:9
And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Original Language Analysis
כִֽי
H3588
כִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
פִּתֵּ֔יתִי
be deceived
H6601
פִּתֵּ֔יתִי
be deceived
Strong's:
H6601
Word #:
3 of 19
to open, i.e., be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way)
וְדִבֶּ֣ר
when he hath spoken
H1696
וְדִבֶּ֣ר
when he hath spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
דָּבָ֔ר
a thing
H1697
דָּבָ֔ר
a thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָה֙
I the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
I the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
פִּתֵּ֔יתִי
be deceived
H6601
פִּתֵּ֔יתִי
be deceived
Strong's:
H6601
Word #:
8 of 19
to open, i.e., be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנָּבִ֣יא
And if the prophet
H5030
הַנָּבִ֣יא
And if the prophet
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
10 of 19
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
הַה֑וּא
H1931
הַה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
11 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְנָטִ֤יתִי
and I will stretch out
H5186
וְנָטִ֤יתִי
and I will stretch out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
12 of 19
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָדִי֙
my hand
H3027
יָדִי֙
my hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִתּ֖וֹךְ
him from the midst
H8432
מִתּ֖וֹךְ
him from the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
17 of 19
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:10Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.Ezekiel 20:25Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;Isaiah 9:12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 9:21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 5:25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 10:4Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 63:16Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.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.Isaiah 9:17Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Job 12:16With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
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. Even prophets face judgment for error 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 Prophet deceived 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 Prophet deceived in this verse. Even prophets face judgment for error, 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.