Ezekiel 14:10

KJV

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];

KJV (with Strong's)

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;

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 14:10 presents a stark declaration of divine justice, asserting that both the false prophet who actively deceives God's people and the individual who willingly seeks counsel from such a prophet will bear the same severe consequences for their shared iniquity. This verse powerfully underscores God's uncompromising judgment against spiritual rebellion, particularly the insidious embrace of idolatry and falsehood, highlighting a profound principle of shared culpability where complicity in spiritual error incurs identical divine retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal discourse in [Ezekiel 14](/ezekiel/14 "Ezekiel 14 - God's Judgment on Idolatry"), where the Lord directly confronts the elders of Israel. These elders, despite approaching God to inquire of Him, had "set up their idols in their heart" and "put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face" ([Ezekiel 14:3](/ezekiel/14-3 "Ezekiel 14:3 - Idolatry in the Heart")). God declares that He will answer them not according to their feigned piety, but according to the idolatry of their hearts, making Himself known through His judgment. The preceding verses ([Ezekiel 14:4-8](/ezekiel/14-4-8 "Ezekiel 14:4-8 - God's Judgment on Idolaters")) detail God's resolute intent to personally confront and cut off those who persist in idolatry, whether they are individuals or false prophets. Verse 10 specifically extends this judgment to encompass both the deceiver and the deceived, emphasizing that spiritual infidelity, whether active or passively embraced, leads to a unified and severe divine response, revealing God's absolute intolerance for spiritual compromise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Ezekiel's prophecy (early 6th century BCE) was marked by profound spiritual apostasy in Judah, culminating in the Babylonian exile. False prophets were rampant, often delivering deceptive messages of peace and prosperity that directly contradicted God's true word, thereby lulling the people into a false sense of security and encouraging their continued idolatry ([Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets Speak Lies")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, seeking counsel from prophets, diviners, or oracles was a common and deeply ingrained practice for guidance on personal, national, and spiritual matters. However, the Mosaic Law strictly forbade divination and seeking counsel from those who did not speak in the name of the Lord, explicitly condemning such abominable practices ([Deuteronomy 18:9-14](/deuteronomy/18-9-14 "Deuteronomy 18:9-14 - Warning Against Abominable Practices")). Ezekiel 14:10 directly addresses this pervasive cultural reality, condemning both the purveyor of false spiritual guidance and the one who, in their spiritual blindness or willful rebellion, chooses to seek it, thereby validating and perpetuating the falsehood.

* **Key Themes:** A central and profound theme in Ezekiel 14:10 is **shared culpability**, highlighting that spiritual deception is not a one-sided affair but a two-way street where both the false prophet and the one who actively seeks their counsel are equally accountable before God. This underscores the principle of **divine justice**, which is uncompromising, impartial, and extends its judgment to all parties involved in spiritual rebellion. The verse also powerfully reinforces the pervasive theme of **consequences of idolatry and spiritual infidelity** found throughout the book of Ezekiel. It demonstrates that deviating from God's truth, whether by speaking falsehood or by eagerly seeking it, inevitably leads to severe and inescapable divine retribution. This aligns seamlessly with the broader prophetic warnings against turning away from the Lord to pursue other gods or embrace deceptive teachings, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - Prophecy Against False Prophets") which also condemn false prophets and their influence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bear (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies "to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield." In this context, it specifically denotes the act of enduring or suffering the weight of a burden, namely the burden of punishment. It implies a direct, personal experience of the consequences, not merely a legal pronouncement, highlighting the unavoidable and tangible nature of the retribution.

* **punishment/iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This term is rich in meaning, encompassing "perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin." Its repetition in the verse emphasizes the direct and inseparable connection between the sin itself and its inevitable consequence. It's not just an external penalty imposed, but the intrinsic burden and consequence that flows directly from the sin. The very nature of their rebellion carries its own inherent judgment, making the punishment an organic outgrowth of the iniquity.

* **seeketh (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** This root means "to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship; ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely." Here, it denotes an active, intentional pursuit of counsel or guidance. It implies a deliberate choice to consult, often with an underlying desire for validation or a specific outcome that aligns with one's own predispositions, rather than a genuine, humble search for God's truth. The term underscores the willful and complicit nature of the seeker's involvement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity:"** This initial clause establishes a universal principle of divine accountability. It declares that those who engage in spiritual rebellion—whether as false prophets or those who seek them—will personally suffer the consequences of their sin. The term "iniquity" (_ʻâvôn_) here encapsulates both the moral evil of their actions and the inherent, inescapable penalty that comes with it. It signifies that the burden of their sin will be directly and tangibly experienced by them, emphasizing the personal and unavoidable nature of divine retribution.

* **"the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh [unto him];"** This second clause specifies the profound principle of shared culpability. It declares an exact equivalency in judgment: the false prophet who knowingly speaks lies and deceives God's people will receive the same severe punishment as the individual who, by actively seeking counsel from such a prophet, thereby validates, empowers, and participates in the deception. This highlights God's absolute impartiality and the severe consequences for both the purveyor and the eager consumer of spiritual falsehood, leaving no room for either party to evade responsibility.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 14:10 powerfully employs **Repetition** and **Parallelism** to underscore its central message of shared culpability and divine justice. The repeated use of the Hebrew term for "punishment" (_ʻâvôn_) emphasizes the certainty, severity, and intrinsic nature of the divine judgment, directly linking the consequence to the act of iniquity itself. This repetition creates a rhythmic and emphatic declaration, driving home the unavoidable reality of retribution. Furthermore, the verse is structured as a clear **Parallelism**, drawing a precise equivalence between "the punishment of the prophet" and "the punishment of him that seeketh [unto him]." This balanced structure highlights the identical fate awaiting both the deceiver and the deceived, leaving no ambiguity regarding their shared accountability. The cumulative effect of these devices is a stark, uncompromising statement of God's righteous judgment, where complicity in spiritual deception leads to an identical, severe fate for all involved.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 14:10 profoundly articulates God's uncompromising justice and the crucial principle of shared culpability in spiritual matters. It reveals that God holds individuals accountable not only for their direct actions but also for their active participation in, or even passive endorsement of, spiritual falsehood. This verse teaches that sin carries its own inherent "punishment" or consequence, and that seeking counsel from sources that contradict God's truth is itself a grave act of iniquity, demonstrating a heart already inclined away from God. God's judgment is not arbitrary but is a righteous and just response to the heart's inclination towards idolatry and rebellion, whether expressed through the speaking of false prophecy or the eager reception of it. The divine standard demands rigorous discernment and unswerving faithfulness from all, warning that complicity in spiritual error will not be overlooked or excused.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1-5 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Warning Against False Prophets")
* [Jeremiah 23:30-32](/jeremiah/23-30-32 "Jeremiah 23:30-32 - God's Judgment on False Prophets")
* [Romans 1:32](/romans/1-32 "Romans 1:32 - Approving of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 14:10 serves as a timeless and profoundly sobering warning for believers in every generation, urging us to cultivate profound spiritual discernment and to take uncompromising personal responsibility for the spiritual truths we embrace. In an age saturated with an overwhelming diversity of voices, teachings, and online "gurus," this verse compels us to rigorously test every spirit and every message against the unchanging, infallible standard of God's revealed Word, rather than seeking counsel that merely validates our desires, biases, or preconceived notions. It challenges us to deeply examine our own hearts for any "idols"—secret desires, comforts, unconfessed sins, or personal agendas—that might subtly make us susceptible to false teaching, for such idols can powerfully incline us to seek out messages that affirm our ungodly inclinations rather than convict them. True spiritual maturity involves not only rejecting outright falsehood but also actively, diligently, and humbly pursuing God's revealed will, even when it challenges our most cherished assumptions or personal comforts. This verse calls us to a posture of unwavering humility, vigilance, and uncompromising faithfulness, recognizing that our complicity in spiritual error, whether as purveyors or eager consumers, carries significant and shared consequences before a just and holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" might I be harboring in my heart that could make me susceptible to spiritual deception or compromise God's truth?**
* **How diligently do I test the teachings and counsel I receive against the clear revelation of Scripture, rather than simply accepting them based on charisma or popularity?**
* **In what specific ways might I be passively or actively enabling spiritual falsehood by my choices in what I consume, whom I follow, or what I promote?**
* **Am I truly seeking God's will with a pure heart, or am I seeking validation for my own desires or a comfortable message when I pray or seek spiritual guidance?**

### FAQ
**Why does God hold the one who seeks false counsel equally accountable as the false prophet?**

Answer: God holds the seeker equally accountable because their act of seeking is not a passive reception but an active and complicit participation in the spiritual deception. The broader context of [Ezekiel 14](/ezekiel/14 "Ezekiel 14 - God's Judgment on Idolatry") reveals that the people had already "set up their idols in their heart" ([Ezekiel 14:3](/ezekiel/14-3 "Ezekiel 14:3 - Idols in the Heart")) before they even approached the prophet. This indicates a prior disposition towards rebellion and a deliberate desire for a message that would affirm their idolatry, rather than challenge it. By actively seeking out a false prophet, they were not innocently misled but were consciously choosing a path that validated their existing spiritual infidelity and rebellion against God's truth. Their willingness to listen, believe, and act upon such falsehood, in effect, empowers the false prophet and perpetuates the cycle of deception. Therefore, their "punishment of iniquity" is not merely for being deceived, but for the underlying iniquity of their hearts that led them to seek out and embrace falsehood in the first place, making them fully complicit in the spiritual rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 14:10, with its stark declaration of shared culpability and the inescapable "punishment of iniquity," finds its ultimate resolution and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, stands universally condemned under this very principle; we are all, in a spiritual sense, both the "prophet" of our own fallen desires and the "seeker" of self-validation, bearing the crushing weight of our own inherent iniquity. However, Christ, the true and faithful Prophet promised by God ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")), bore the full "punishment of our iniquity" upon the cross ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). He, who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the very righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). By His perfect sacrifice, the shared burden of sin and its deserved punishment was completely lifted from all who trust in Him. Now, instead of desperately seeking counsel from deceptive sources or the flawed inclinations of our own fallen desires, we are called to seek Christ alone, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). He is the ultimate truth, the Way, and the Life, and by seeking Him, we find not shared condemnation, but shared grace, forgiveness, and eternal life in His glorious presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.