Ezekiel 14:16-23

16 though these three men were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters. 1They alone would be delivered, but the country would be desolate.
17 "Or if I should 2bring a sword on that country and say, 'Let the sword pass through the country and 3cut off man and beast from it,'
18 even though these three men were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be delivered.
19 "Or if I should send a 4plague against that country and pour out My wrath in blood on it to cut off man and beast from it,
20 even though Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they could not deliver either their son or their daughter. They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness."
21 For thus says the Lord GOD, "How much more * when 5I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts and plague to cut off man and beast from it!
22 "Yet, behold, survivors will be left in it who will be brought out, both sons and daughters. Behold, they are going to come forth to you and you will 6see their conduct and actions; then you will be 7comforted for the calamity which I have brought against Jerusalem for everything which I have brought upon it.
23 "Then they will comfort you when you see their conduct and actions, for you will know that I have not done 8in vain whatever * I did to it," declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:16-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 14

In this chapter are contained the displeasure of God at hypocritical idolaters that sought unto him, and at the false prophets; the judgments that should come upon them, and which should not be averted by the intercession of the best of men; and yet a promise that a remnant should be saved. The elders of Israel are said to sit before the prophet, Eze 14:1; to whom the Lord gives an account of them, Eze 14:2,3; and orders the prophet what he should say to them, that the Lord would answer them himself, Eze 14:4,5; and that he should bid the house of Israel repent and turn from their idols, or else the Lord would set his face against them, and cut them off, both them and the false prophets they sought unto; and this is threatened in order to reform them, and continue them his covenant people, Eze 14:6-11; and then the judgment of famine is particularly threatened; to avert which, the prayers of the best of men would be of no effect, Eze 14:12-14; and next the judgment of noisome beasts, with the same intimation, Eze 14:15,16; likewise the sword, Eze 14:17,18; and also the pestilence, Eze 14:19,20; and much less when they should be all sent together, Eze 14:21; and the chapter is concluded with a promise that a remnant should be saved; which would be a comfort to the captives of Babylon, and accounts for what the Lord had done, or would do, in Jerusalem, Eze 14:22,23.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Genesis 19:29; Ezekiel 18:20
  • 2. Leviticus 26:25; Ezekiel 5:12; Ezekiel 21:3, 4
  • 3. Ezekiel 25:13; Zephaniah 1:3
  • 4. Jeremiah 14:12; Ezekiel 5:12; Ezekiel 14:21
  • 5. Ezekiel 5:17; Ezekiel 33:27; Amos 4:6-10; Revelation 6:8
  • 6. Ezekiel 12:16; Ezekiel 36:20
  • 7. Ezekiel 16:54; Ezekiel 31:16; Ezekiel 32:31
  • 8. Jeremiah 22:8, 9

Footnotes 3

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