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:

For every one {H376} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, or of the stranger {H1616} that sojourneth {H1481} in Israel {H3478}, which separateth {H5144} himself from me {H310}, and setteth up {H5927} his idols {H1544} in his heart {H3820}, and putteth {H7760} the stumblingblock {H4383} of his iniquity {H5771} before {H5227} his face {H6440}, and cometh {H935} to a prophet {H5030} to enquire {H1875} of him concerning me; I the LORD {H3068} will answer {H6030} him by myself:

For everyone, whether from the house of Isra'el or a foreigner living in Isra'el, who separates himself from me and takes his idols into his heart, thus setting in front of himself the stumblingblock that leads to sin, and then comes to the prophet, asking him to consult me for him, I myself, ADONAI, will answer him.

For when any Israelite or any foreigner dwelling in Israel separates himself from Me, sets up idols in his heart, and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me, I the LORD will answer him Myself.

For every one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that separateth himself from me, and taketh his idols into his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet to inquire for himself of me; I Jehovah will answer him by myself:

Ezekiel 14:7 delivers a stark warning against spiritual hypocrisy, addressing both native Israelites and foreign residents who outwardly seek God but inwardly cling to idolatry and sin.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Ezekiel Chapter 14 where the prophet confronts the elders of Israel who came to inquire of the Lord. Despite their appearance of piety, their hearts were full of idols, and they had set up "stumblingblocks of their iniquity" (Ezekiel 14:3). God, through Ezekiel, declares that He will not be mocked by those who approach Him with divided hearts. The passage underscores God's absolute knowledge of the human heart and His commitment to purity among His people, even in exile.

Key Themes

  • Idolatry of the Heart: The passage emphasizes that idolatry is not merely about physical images, but about anything that takes God's rightful place in one's affections and devotion. It highlights the internal nature of sin, where "idols in his heart" represent hidden allegiances that compete with God. This internal idolatry is just as offensive to God as overt idol worship.
  • Hypocrisy and Deception: The individual described seeks a prophet to "enquire of him concerning me," creating a facade of spiritual seeking while harboring deep-seated sin. God's response is a direct confrontation of this hypocrisy, revealing His omniscience and intolerance for insincere worship.
  • The Stumblingblock of Iniquity: "Putting the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face" refers to actively indulging in sin or allowing it to hinder one's spiritual path and relationship with God. This deliberate embrace of sin makes true communion impossible.
  • Divine Judgment and Direct Answer: The phrase "I the LORD will answer him by myself" signifies God's personal and unmediated response, which in this context is not a favorable answer to their inquiry, but a revelation of their sin and a pronouncement of judgment. It underscores God's commitment to exposing and dealing with spiritual impurity, as also seen in Hebrews 4:13, where all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "idols" here, gillulim, is often used by Ezekiel to describe detestable, worthless idols, emphasizing their vile nature in God's sight. The phrase "separateth himself from me" implies a deliberate act of spiritual estrangement, a turning away from the Lord. The "stumblingblock" (mikshol) denotes an obstacle or snare, indicating that their iniquity actively hinders their relationship with God and leads them further astray.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 14:7 serves as a powerful reminder that God looks beyond outward religious observances to the condition of the heart. For believers today, this verse challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: Are there hidden idols—be it money, career, relationships, comfort, or self-will—that take precedence over God? True devotion requires a heart fully surrendered to Him, as highlighted in the call to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
  • Seek Sincerity: God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). Our prayers and worship must stem from genuine repentance and a desire to obey, not from a desire to manipulate or hide sin.
  • Address Stumblingblocks: We must actively identify and remove any "stumblingblocks of iniquity" in our lives that hinder our walk with God or cause others to stumble (Romans 14:13). This requires honest self-assessment and a commitment to repentance.

Ultimately, this verse calls for authentic faith and an undivided heart before a holy God who sees all and answers accordingly.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 12:48

    And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

  • Isaiah 58:1

    ¶ Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

  • Isaiah 58:2

    Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

  • Leviticus 20:2

    Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever [he be] of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth [any] of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 21:1

    ¶ The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,

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