Ezekiel 14:10

And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh [unto him];

And they shall bear {H5375} the punishment of their iniquity {H5771}: the punishment {H5771} of the prophet {H5030} shall be even as the punishment {H5771} of him that seeketh {H1875} unto him;

The prophets will bear the guilt for their sins - the sin of the prophet will be the same as the sin of the inquirer -

They will bear their punishment—the punishment of the inquirer will be the same as that of the prophet—

And they shall bear their iniquity: the iniquity of the prophet shall be even as the iniquity of him that seeketh unto him;

Commentary

Ezekiel 14:10 delivers a stark warning regarding the accountability of both those who propagate spiritual deception and those who willingly seek it. This verse underscores God's unwavering justice, particularly concerning idolatry and false prophecy.

Context

This verse is part of a broader discourse in Ezekiel 14 where God addresses the elders of Israel who came to inquire of Him, yet had "set up their idols in their heart" (Ezekiel 14:3). The Lord declares that He will answer them according to their idolatry, not according to His true will. He warns that if a prophet speaks a word, and the people seek it, both the prophet and the people are culpable. This passage highlights the severe consequences for spiritual infidelity and the dangers of seeking guidance from sources other than God's pure truth.

Key Themes

  • Shared Culpability: The most striking theme is that the punishment for the false prophet is precisely the same as for the one who consults him. This emphasizes a shared responsibility for spiritual error. It's not just the deceiver who is guilty, but also the one who, by seeking counsel from a known or suspected false source, endorses or enables the deception.
  • Divine Justice: God's justice is uncompromising. He does not differentiate between the active purveyor of falsehood and the willing recipient, when both are complicit in spiritual rebellion. This illustrates that God holds individuals accountable for their choices in seeking spiritual guidance.
  • Consequences of Idolatry and Deception: The verse directly links the "punishment of their iniquity" to the act of seeking false counsel. It reinforces the biblical principle that deviating from God's truth leads to severe consequences, a theme consistently found in prophetic books like Jeremiah.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "punishment" used here is 'avon (עָוֹן), which can mean iniquity, guilt, or the penalty for iniquity. Its repetition emphasizes the direct connection between the sin (iniquity) and its inevitable consequence. This isn't just a legal penalty, but the bearing of the burden of their own sin, which is equally heavy for both the false prophet and the one who seeks him.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 14:10 serves as a timeless warning for believers today. It calls for:

  • Discerning Truth: We are admonished to test the spirits and not blindly accept every teaching. Personal responsibility lies in carefully examining what we hear against the standard of God's Word.
  • Avoiding Spiritual Compromise: The verse cautions against seeking answers that align with our own desires or idols, rather than God's revealed will. When we harbor secret sins or desires, we become vulnerable to those who will tell us what our itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).
  • Understanding Shared Accountability: This principle extends beyond false prophecy. It reminds us that enabling or approving of sin, even passively, can make us complicit in its consequences, as seen in passages like Romans 1:32. We are responsible not only for our own actions but also for whom we choose to follow and support spiritually.

Ultimately, this verse is a powerful reminder that God's judgment is righteous and comprehensive, holding all parties accountable for their role in spiritual rebellion and the perpetuation of falsehood.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 23:49

    And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 17:18

    Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these [things], he shall not escape.

  • Ezekiel 17:20

    And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

  • Genesis 4:13

    ¶ And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment [is] greater than I can bear.

  • Micah 7:9

    I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, [and] I shall behold his righteousness.

  • Ezekiel 14:7

    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:

  • Ezekiel 14:8

    And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.
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