Ezekiel 14:14

KJV

Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver [but] their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Though these three {H7969} men {H582}, Noah {H5146}, Daniel {H1840}, and Job {H347}, were in it {H8432}, they should deliver {H5337} but their own souls {H5315} by their righteousness {H6666}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

even if these three men were in it - Noach, Dani'el and Iyov - they would by their righteousness save only themselves," says Adonai ELOHIM.

Berean Standard Bible

then even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD.

American Standard Version

though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 14:14 declares God's unyielding judgment upon a deeply apostate Israel, asserting that even if three paragons of righteousness—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were present in the land, their intercession would be insufficient to avert the impending catastrophe. Their personal righteousness would only be enough to preserve their own lives, not to deliver the nation from the consequences of its pervasive idolatry and rebellion. This powerful oracle underscores the severity of divine justice and the ultimate individual accountability before God when corporate sin reaches a critical threshold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 14:14 is situated within a broader section (Ezekiel 14:1-23) where the Lord confronts the elders of Israel who have come to inquire of Him, yet harbor idols in their hearts. God sternly declares that He will answer them according to their idolatry, not their feigned piety. He outlines a series of four devastating judgments—famine, wild beasts, sword, and pestilence—that He will send upon the land. The verses immediately preceding (Ezekiel 14:12-13) introduce the concept that if a land sins grievously, God will stretch out His hand against it, cutting off its supply of bread. Verse 14 then serves as a powerful amplification of this principle, emphasizing the absolute nature of the judgment by stating that even the most righteous individuals would be powerless to save others. The subsequent verses (Ezekiel 14:15-20) reiterate this point for each of the four judgments, driving home the message that only the righteous individuals would be spared, and then only by their own righteousness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a tumultuous period following the first wave of deportations from Judah. Many of the exiles, including the elders addressed in this chapter, still held onto a false sense of security, believing that Jerusalem would not fall and that God would ultimately spare the nation regardless of their continued sin. Idolatry was rampant in Judah before the exile, and even among the exiles, there was a tendency to cling to pagan practices or to a superficial religiosity. The mention of Noah, Daniel, and Job would have resonated deeply with the audience, as these figures represented archetypes of righteousness and faithfulness in the face of widespread corruption or immense suffering. The concept of corporate responsibility and the potential for a righteous remnant to influence divine judgment was understood, but Ezekiel 14:14 shatters any illusion that a few righteous individuals could indefinitely stave off judgment for an unrepentant nation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Ezekiel. First, it highlights the **severity and certainty of divine judgment** against unrepentant sin, particularly idolatry. God's justice is portrayed as absolute, reaching a point where even the most fervent intercession cannot prevent the decreed consequences for national apostasy, as seen in [Ezekiel 7:1-9](/ezekiel/7 "Ezekiel 7 - The End Has Come"). Second, it underscores the theme of **individual accountability**. While corporate sin leads to corporate judgment, God maintains a principle of individual salvation for the righteous, emphasizing that "they should deliver but their own souls." This concept is further developed in [Ezekiel 18](/ezekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - Individual Responsibility"), where God explicitly states that a son will not bear the iniquity of his father, nor a father the iniquity of his son. Finally, the verse touches upon the **limits of intercession**, demonstrating that while God often responds to the prayers of His people (e.g., [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")), there is a threshold of national sin beyond which even the most righteous cannot avert judgment for others.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **deliver (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_ H5337):** This verb means "to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense; to defend, escape, rescue, save." In this context, it signifies self-preservation or escape from danger. It emphasizes that the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job would enable them to be plucked out of the impending destruction, but their power to save would extend no further than themselves.
* **souls (Hebrew, _nephesh'_ H5315):** Derived from a root meaning "to breathe," _nephesh_ refers broadly to a breathing creature, vitality, life, or the inner self. It encompasses the entire person—their life, being, and consciousness. Here, "their own souls" underscores the individual nature of the salvation; it is their very existence and personhood that would be preserved, not that of the unrighteous around them.
* **righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_ H6666):** This term denotes rightness, rectitude, justice, or virtue. It describes a state of conformity to God's moral and ethical standards. In Ezekiel 14:14, it is the active, lived righteousness of these men—their blameless character, obedience, and faithfulness—that serves as the basis for their individual deliverance, highlighting that God honors and preserves those who walk uprightly before Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it":** This clause sets up a hypothetical, yet profoundly impactful, scenario. "In it" refers to the land facing God's severe judgment. The selection of Noah, Daniel, and Job is deliberate, presenting them as preeminent examples of righteousness from different eras—Noah from the antediluvian world, Job from the patriarchal period, and Daniel as a contemporary of Ezekiel. Their collective presence symbolizes the highest possible standard of human righteousness and intercessory power.
* **"they should deliver [but] their own souls":** This is the core declaration of the verse. Despite their exemplary righteousness and potential for intercession, their impact would be limited to their personal salvation. The word "but" (implied in the KJV translation) emphasizes this limitation, highlighting that their virtue would not extend to the corporate deliverance of a sinful nation. It underscores the principle of individual accountability in the face of overwhelming corporate apostasy.
* **"by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.":** This concluding phrase affirms the divine origin and absolute certainty of the declaration. "By their righteousness" explicitly states the means of their deliverance—it is their personal uprightness before God, not their intercessory power for others, that secures their safety. The phrase "saith the Lord GOD" (using the divine names _Adonai_ and _YHWH_) functions as a divine oracle, lending ultimate authority and irrevocability to the pronouncement.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 14:14 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where the Lord presents an extreme, almost unimaginable scenario—the combined presence of the most righteous individuals—to emphasize the absolute and irreversible nature of the impending judgment. This exaggeration serves to underscore the depth of Israel's sin and the futility of any human effort to avert God's decree. The naming of Noah, Daniel, and Job functions as **Exemplar** or **Paradigm**, using well-known figures to represent the pinnacle of human righteousness and faithfulness. Their inclusion provides a concrete and relatable measure of spiritual integrity against which the nation's spiritual bankruptcy is starkly contrasted. Finally, the concluding phrase, "saith the Lord GOD," is a classic example of a **Divine Oracle** or **Prophetic Formula**, serving to authenticate the message as a direct, authoritative word from God Himself, leaving no room for doubt regarding its truth or certainty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 14:14 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice and individual responsibility. It reveals that while God is merciful and responsive to intercession, there comes a point when a nation's persistent and widespread rebellion reaches a threshold beyond which corporate judgment is inevitable. At this juncture, even the most exemplary righteousness of a few cannot atone for or avert the consequences for the many. This passage underscores that personal righteousness remains paramount for individual salvation, even amidst widespread apostasy, emphasizing that God's justice meticulously distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked, preserving the former while executing judgment upon the latter. It is a sobering reminder that while God desires all to repent, His holiness demands that sin be dealt with decisively.

* [Genesis 18:22-33](/genesis/18-22 "Genesis 18:22-33 - Abraham's Intercession for Sodom")
* [Jeremiah 15:1-4](/jeremiah/15-1 "Jeremiah 15:1-4 - God's Refusal to Relent")
* [Ezekiel 18:20](/ezekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - The Soul Who Sins Shall Die")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 14:14 serves as a stark and challenging reminder for believers today. It calls us to a deep introspection regarding the state of our own hearts and the communities we inhabit. While we are called to be salt and light in the world, and to intercede for the lost, this verse cautions against a passive reliance on the righteousness of others or a presumption that God's judgment will always be withheld indefinitely. It compels us to recognize that there is a point of no return for corporate sin, where God's justice must prevail. Therefore, the primary application is a fervent call to personal righteousness and genuine repentance. We are individually accountable before God, and our salvation rests on our own faith and obedience, not on the spiritual standing of those around us. This should motivate us to cultivate a blameless walk, to actively pursue holiness, and to earnestly call others to repentance, understanding the gravity of unaddressed sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be subtly relying on the "righteousness" of others (e.g., church leaders, family members) rather than cultivating my own deep relationship with God?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice and mercy, particularly in relation to unrepentant sin in society?**
* **What specific steps can I take today to strengthen my personal commitment to righteousness and to live out my faith more authentically, knowing that my own soul's deliverance is at stake?**

### FAQ
**Why did God specifically name Noah, Daniel, and Job in this verse?**

Answer: God named Noah, Daniel, and Job because they were universally recognized as paragons of righteousness and faithfulness in their respective generations, even amidst widespread corruption or immense suffering. Noah was righteous in a world consumed by wickedness ([Genesis 6:9](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6:9 - Noah's Righteousness")). Job was blameless and upright, enduring unimaginable trials without cursing God ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Character")). Daniel, a contemporary of Ezekiel, maintained unwavering integrity and devotion to God even in the pagan court of Babylon ([Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Prayer Life")). By invoking these three, God emphasizes that even the combined spiritual power and integrity of such revered individuals would be utterly insufficient to avert the decreed judgment upon a nation steeped in unrepentant sin.

**Does this verse mean that intercession is pointless or ineffective?**

Answer: No, this verse does not mean intercession is always pointless. Throughout Scripture, God often responds to the prayers of the righteous, and intercession plays a vital role in God's redemptive plan (e.g., Abraham interceding for Sodom in [Genesis 18:23-32](/genesis/18-23 "Genesis 18:23-32 - Abraham's Plea for Sodom"), Moses interceding for Israel in [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession")). However, Ezekiel 14:14 reveals that there is a threshold of corporate sin and rebellion where God's righteous judgment becomes absolute and irreversible. At this point, even the most powerful intercession cannot avert the consequences for an unrepentant people. It highlights the limits of human intercession in the face of divine decree when a nation has fully abandoned God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 14:14, with its stark declaration of individual deliverance through personal righteousness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Noah, Daniel, and Job could only deliver their "own souls" by their righteousness, Christ, the perfectly righteous one, delivers not only His own soul but also the souls of all who believe in Him. He is the ultimate "righteousness" by which we are saved, for our own righteousness is as "filthy rags" ([Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Our Righteousness as Filthy Rags")). The New Testament reveals that salvation is not merely self-preservation through individual merit, but a glorious rescue made possible by the vicarious righteousness of Christ, who became sin for us "so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Furthermore, while human intercessors like Noah, Daniel, and Job had limits, Jesus is our eternal High Priest, who "always lives to intercede for them" ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")), offering a perfect and limitless intercession that secures the salvation of His people. Thus, the inability of even the most righteous Old Testament figures to save others points forward to the unique and all-sufficient righteousness of Christ, who alone could deliver not just individuals, but all who are united to Him, from the ultimate judgment of God.

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

Jeremiah 15:1

¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

Ezekiel 14:20

Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, [were] in it, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall [but] deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

Ezekiel 28:3

Behold, thou [art] wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

Genesis 7:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Ezekiel 14:18

Though these three men [were] in it, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

Job 1:1

¶ There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Daniel 10:11

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.