Ezekiel 14:18-23

18 et tres viri isti fuerint in medio eius vivo ego dicit Dominus Deus non liberabunt filios neque filias sed ipsi soli liberabuntur

19 si autem et pestilentiam inmisero super terram illam et effudero indignationem meam super eam in sanguine ut auferam ex ea hominem et iumentum

20 et Noe et Danihel et Iob fuerint in medio eius vivo ego dicit Dominus Deus quia filium et filiam non liberabunt sed ipsi iustitia sua liberabunt animas suas

21 quoniam haec dicit Dominus Deus quod si et quattuor iudicia mea pessima gladium et famem et bestias malas et pestilentiam misero in Hierusalem ut interficiam de ea hominem et pecus

22 tamen relinquetur in ea salvatio educentium filios et filias ecce ipsi egredientur ad vos et videbitis viam eorum et adinventiones eorum et consolabimini super malo quod induxi in Hierusalem in omnibus quae inportavi super eam

23 et consolabuntur vos cum videritis viam eorum et adinventiones eorum et cognoscetis quod non frustra fecerim omnia quae feci in ea ait Dominus Deus

Ezekiel 14:18-23 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.