Ezekiel 14:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Though these three {H7969} men {H582} were in it {H8432}, as I live {H2416}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, they shall deliver {H5337} neither sons {H1121} nor daughters {H1323}, but they only shall be delivered {H5337} themselves.

Complete Jewish Bible

even if these three men were in it, as I live," says Adonai ELOHIM, "they would save neither sons nor daughters; only they themselves would be saved.

Berean Standard Bible

then as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, even if these three men were in it, they could not deliver their own sons or daughters. They alone would be delivered.

American Standard Version

though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only should be delivered themselves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 14:18 delivers a profound and unyielding divine declaration, underscoring the absolute certainty of God's impending judgment upon unrepentant Judah and Jerusalem. It starkly asserts that even the unparalleled righteousness and intercessory power of exemplary figures like Noah, Daniel, and Job would be utterly insufficient to avert the decreed catastrophe for a nation steeped in pervasive corporate sin and idolatry. Instead, their profound personal righteousness would secure only their own individual deliverance, leaving no hope for their children or the broader population. This verse powerfully communicates the severe limits of human intercession when a society has reached a critical and irreversible threshold of rebellion against the Most High God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a crucial prophetic discourse in [Ezekiel chapter 14](/ezekiel/14 "Ezekiel 14 - Judgment on Idolatry and False Prophets"), where the Lord directly confronts the profound hypocrisy of the elders of Israel. Despite their outward pretense of seeking divine counsel from Ezekiel, their hearts were secretly filled with idols ([Ezekiel 14:1-5](/ezekiel/14-1-5 "Ezekiel 14:1-5 - God's Response to Idolatrous Inquirers")). God unequivocally declares His intention to answer them according to their idolatry, rather than their feigned piety. The chapter then meticulously outlines four severe judgments—famine, wild beasts, sword, and pestilence—that God intends to unleash upon the land as a consequence of this deep-seated apostasy ([Ezekiel 14:12-21](/ezekiel/14-12-21 "Ezekiel 14:12-21 - The Four Severe Judgments")). Verses [Ezekiel 14:14](/ezekiel/14-14 "Ezekiel 14:14 - Noah, Daniel, and Job Mentioned") and [Ezekiel 14:16](/ezekiel/14-16 "Ezekiel 14:16 - Righteousness Saves Only Themselves") introduce the stark concept that even if three supremely righteous men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were present, their righteousness would only deliver themselves. Verse 18 specifically reiterates and reinforces this point, emphasizing the absolute inability of these great intercessors to save "sons or daughters," thereby solidifying the principle of individual accountability in the face of overwhelming corporate sin. This deliberate repetition serves to underscore the divine resolve and the unparalleled severity of the impending, unalterable judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel delivered his prophecies during the tumultuous period of the [Babylonian exile](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Call of Ezekiel in Exile"), addressing both the exiles already in Babylon and, implicitly, those who remained in Jerusalem. For generations, the people of Judah, particularly their leaders, had persistently engaged in widespread idolatry, profound moral corruption, and flagrant covenant unfaithfulness, despite repeated and urgent warnings from God's prophets. This era marked the culmination of God's longsuffering patience, leading inevitably to the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred temple. Culturally, intercession by righteous individuals was a deeply recognized and often effective practice within Israelite tradition (e.g., [Abraham interceding for Sodom](/genesis/18-23-33 "Genesis 18:23-33 - Abraham's Intercession for Sodom"), [Moses interceding for Israel after the golden calf](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession after the Golden Calf")). However, Ezekiel 14:18 declares a unique and dire situation: the corporate sin of the nation had reached such an extreme saturation point that even the most exemplary righteousness could not avert the divinely decreed judgment for the unrepentant masses. This passage highlights a critical shift from a conditional judgment (where repentance or intercession might avert it) to an absolute, irreversible decree, necessitated by the profound depth of national apostasy.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching and critical themes found throughout the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost among these is the **Severity of Divine Judgment**, demonstrating unequivocally that God's patience has definitive limits. When a society's sin, especially its idolatry and rebellion, becomes deeply ingrained and utterly unrepented of, His judgment will be absolute and inescapable for the wicked. It also profoundly highlights **Individual Accountability**, revealing a critical juncture where corporate sin is so pervasive that personal righteousness secures only the salvation of the righteous individual, not their family or community—a principle powerfully echoed in [Jeremiah 31:30](/jeremiah/31-30 "Jeremiah 31:30 - Individual Responsibility for Sin"). Furthermore, the passage emphasizes the **Limits of Intercession**, clearly showing that even the fervent prayers and profound righteousness of figures as eminent as Noah, Daniel, and Job, renowned for their unwavering faith and powerful intercessory prayers ([Genesis 6:9](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6:9 - Noah's Righteousness"), [Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Prayer Life"), [Job 42:10](/job/42-10 "Job 42:10 - Job's Restoration")), cannot avert God's decreed judgment when a people's rebellion is complete and unyielding. Finally, the solemn phrase "as I live, saith the Lord GOD" serves as a profound **Divine Oath**, affirming the absolute certainty and immutable nature of God's pronouncement and His unwavering commitment to executing righteous judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **men (Hebrew, _ʼĕnôwsh'_):** This term (H582) refers to "a mortal," emphasizing the inherent frailty and finiteness of human beings, standing in stark contrast to the divine, eternal nature of God. In this specific context, it highlights that even the most righteous of *mortals*—Noah, Daniel, and Job—are ultimately limited in their capacity to influence God's sovereign decree when His justice is fully unleashed. Their human righteousness, however great, cannot override divine judgment for a deeply rebellious populace.
* **live (Hebrew, _chay'_):** Derived from the root "to live," this word (H2416) signifies being "alive," "fresh," or "strong." In the powerful phrase "as I live," it forms a solemn divine oath, emphasizing God's very existence as the absolute guarantee of His word. It underscores the absolute certainty and immutability of the pronouncement, making it an unchangeable decree from the sovereign God, not a mere possibility or a conditional threat. This oath highlights God's unwavering commitment to His righteous judgment.
* **deliver (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** This primitive root (H5337) means "to snatch away," "rescue," or "save," whether in a good or bad sense. In Ezekiel 14:18, it is used twice to denote salvation or preservation from the impending judgment. The repetition emphasizes a critical distinction: while the righteous individuals themselves would be "delivered" (rescued from the catastrophe), their ability to "deliver" others, specifically their "sons nor daughters," would be completely nullified by the overwhelming severity of the divine wrath against the nation's corporate sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Though these three men [were] in it":** This initial clause establishes the hypothetical, yet profoundly significant, scenario. It refers directly to Noah, Daniel, and Job, figures of exemplary righteousness introduced in the preceding verses of the chapter ([Ezekiel 14:14](/ezekiel/14-14 "Ezekiel 14:14 - Noah, Daniel, and Job Mentioned")). "In it" refers to the land or city (Jerusalem/Judah) that is under the imminent threat of divine judgment. The implication is clear: even if such supremely righteous individuals were physically present within the doomed land and actively interceding, their presence alone would not alter the divine decree for the unrepentant populace.
* **"[as] I live, saith the Lord GOD":** This is a profoundly powerful and frequently employed divine oath, serving to emphasize the absolute certainty, solemnity, and irrevocability of God's declaration. It underscores that His word is as sure and steadfast as His very own existence, leaving no doubt that the judgment described is an unchangeable decree from the sovereign God, not a mere possibility or a conditional threat. This divine oath highlights God's unwavering commitment to the execution of His righteous judgment.
* **"they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters":** This is the core and most severe declaration of the verse. It explicitly states that the personal righteousness or fervent intercession of Noah, Daniel, and Job would not extend to saving their own offspring or, by extension, any other members of the wicked population. This emphasizes a crucial theological principle: in the face of overwhelming corporate sin and unrepentance, individual accountability becomes paramount, and the limits of vicarious righteousness are reached. No one can stand in the gap for those whose hearts are hardened against God.
* **"but they only shall be delivered themselves":** This concluding clause powerfully reaffirms that while the righteous individuals (Noah, Daniel, Job) would indeed be preserved from the impending catastrophe, their preservation would be strictly personal and limited. Their integrity and faithfulness would secure their own lives, but the profound depth of the nation's sin would prevent any broader deliverance through their merits or prayers. It underscores the severity of the judgment and the direct, inescapable consequence of persistent, unrepentant corporate sin.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 14:18 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark and uncompromising message. The most prominent is the **Divine Oath**, powerfully expressed through the formulaic phrase "as I live, saith the Lord GOD." This common prophetic device serves to underscore the absolute certainty and immutable nature of God's word, elevating the pronouncement beyond a mere warning to an unchangeable, sovereign decree. The use of **Hyperbole** or an extreme hypothetical case is also profoundly evident by invoking Noah, Daniel, and Job. These figures represent the pinnacle of righteousness and intercessory power within Israelite tradition; by stating that even *they* could not save others, God emphasizes the unparalleled severity of the impending judgment and the profound depth of the nation's unrepentant sin. Furthermore, a clear **Contrast** is established between the personal deliverance of the righteous men ("but they only shall be delivered themselves") and the non-deliverance of others ("they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters"). This stark contrast highlights the principle of individual accountability in the face of widespread apostasy and illustrates the tragic consequences where corporate sin overrides the potential benefits of vicarious righteousness or intercession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 14:18 profoundly articulates God's unwavering justice and the dire consequences of persistent, unrepentant sin. It reveals a critical theological truth: while God is merciful and responsive to intercession, there comes a decisive point when a nation's rebellion reaches such a saturation that divine judgment becomes absolute and irreversible. This highlights the sanctity of God's covenant and His unwavering commitment to upholding His moral order and holiness. The verse also underscores the principle of individual accountability, teaching that ultimately, each person stands before God based on their own righteousness or lack thereof. While corporate sin can indeed lead to corporate judgment, individual faithfulness remains paramount for personal salvation, especially when the collective has turned away.

* [Jeremiah 15:1](/jeremiah/15-1 "Jeremiah 15:1 - Jeremiah's Intercession Denied")
* [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Do Not Profit in the Day of Wrath")
* [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God Will Render to Each One According to His Deeds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 14:18 serves as a profoundly sobering reminder of the gravity of sin and the absolute certainty of God's righteous judgment. It challenges believers to deeply consider the state of their own hearts and the spiritual condition of their communities. While our salvation is irrevocably by grace through faith in Christ, this passage implicitly calls for genuine, heartfelt repentance and a life of active righteousness, not as a means to earn salvation, but as an authentic demonstration of a heart transformed by God's Spirit. It reminds us that our personal walk with God is of paramount importance, and while we are called to earnestly intercede for others, there are solemn times when God's righteous decree for widespread unrepentance will stand unyielding. This truth should inspire a healthy and reverent fear of the Lord and a zealous pursuit of holiness, knowing that God is perfectly just and will ultimately hold all accountable for their deeds. It also prompts us to critically examine how deeply we have allowed the idols of our age—whether material possessions, personal ambitions, or cultural norms—to infiltrate our individual lives and collective societies, urging us to turn back to the one true God with urgency and sincerity before the moment of judgment is sealed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols of the heart" might be subtly or overtly preventing genuine repentance in my own life or in my community today?**
* **How does the concept of individual accountability in this verse challenge or deepen my understanding of corporate sin and the nature of salvation?**
* **In what specific ways does this passage affirm God's absolute justice, and how does that profound understanding shape my reverence and awe for Him?**
* **If even the greatest human intercessors cannot save the unrepentant, what is the true nature, ultimate purpose, and enduring power of intercessory prayer in the New Covenant era?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "three men" mentioned in Ezekiel 14:18, and why are they significant?**

Answer: The "three men" are Noah, Daniel, and Job, explicitly named by God in [Ezekiel 14:14](/ezekiel/14-14 "Ezekiel 14:14 - Noah, Daniel, and Job Mentioned"). They are profoundly significant because they represent figures of exceptional righteousness and unwavering faithfulness in biblical history, renowned for their integrity and, in some cases, their powerful intercession (e.g., Noah's righteousness in a supremely wicked generation, Daniel's unwavering devotion and prayer life even in exile, Job's perseverance through immense suffering and his intercession for his friends). By naming these specific individuals, God emphasizes that even the most exemplary human righteousness and intercessory power would be utterly insufficient to avert His decreed judgment upon a nation whose sin had reached a critical, unrepentant threshold. Their presence, however righteous, could only deliver themselves, not the broader population, thereby highlighting the unparalleled severity and absolute certainty of God's wrath against pervasive apostasy.

**Does Ezekiel 14:18 imply that intercession for others is useless?**

Answer: No, Ezekiel 14:18 does not imply that intercession is generally useless or ineffective. Throughout the entirety of Scripture, intercession is consistently presented as a powerful and effective means of prayer (e.g., [Moses interceding for Israel after the golden calf](/exodus/32-11-14 "Moses' Intercession after the Golden Calf"), [Jesus' high priestly intercession for His disciples](/john/17-9 "John 17:9 - Jesus Prays for His Disciples")). This particular verse, however, describes a unique and extreme situation where a nation's corporate sin and idolatry had reached such a profound and unrepentant level that God's judgment was irrevocably decreed as a matter of divine justice. In such a specific and dire context, even the most righteous intercessors could not avert the judgment for the unrepentant masses. It highlights a specific limit to intercession when divine justice demands an absolute and final response to pervasive, unyielding sin, rather than a general dismissal of the power of prayer. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the ultimate, inescapable consequence of persistent, national rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 14:18, with its stark declaration of the severe limits of human righteousness and intercession in the face of absolute divine judgment, powerfully points to the indispensable necessity and unparalleled uniqueness of Jesus Christ. The verse highlights that even the most righteous of men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—could only secure their own personal deliverance, utterly failing to save their "sons nor daughters" from God's righteous wrath. This underscores humanity's inherent inability to fully atone for sin or to provide a righteousness sufficient to deliver others from the crushing weight of divine judgment. It is precisely at this profound point of human inadequacy that Christ's fulfillment shines brightest and most gloriously. Jesus is not merely a righteous man among others; He is the perfectly righteous Son of God, whose sinless life and atoning death on the cross provide the ultimate, complete, and only means of deliverance from sin and its consequences. Unlike Noah, Daniel, or Job, whose righteousness was limited to themselves, Christ's perfect righteousness is freely imputed to all who believe, enabling them to be truly "delivered" from the penalty of sin and the wrath of God ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Righteousness Through Christ")). He is the ultimate and eternal intercessor, whose ongoing advocacy before the Father truly saves and sustains His people completely ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood and Intercession")). The judgment declared in Ezekiel 14:18, which no human could possibly avert, was fully borne by Christ on the cross, offering a redemption that extends far beyond individual righteousness to encompass all who are united with Him, delivering not only individuals but also making a new family of God possible through adoption ([Galatians 3:26-29](/galatians/3-26-29 "Galatians 3:26-29 - Children of God Through Faith in Christ Jesus")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering a deliverance that transcends all human limitations and satisfies divine justice completely and eternally ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb 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.