Ezekiel 14:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will set {H5414} my face {H6440} against that man {H376}, and will make {H8074} him a sign {H226} and a proverb {H4912}, and I will cut him off {H3772} from the midst {H8432} of my people {H5971}; and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will set my face against that person, make him a warning sign and an example, and cut him off from my people. Then you will know that I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among My people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

and I will set my face against that man, and will make him an astonishment, for a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 14:8 declares God's unwavering and personal judgment against individuals who persist in idolatry and hypocrisy, even while outwardly seeking divine counsel. The Lord vows to confront such a person directly, making them a public example of His righteous wrath and severing them from His covenant community, thereby demonstrating His absolute sovereignty and revealing His true identity as the one, true God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct continuation of a stern prophetic message delivered by Ezekiel to the elders of Israel who had come to "inquire of the Lord" [Ezekiel 14:1](/ezekiel/14-1 "Ezekiel 14:1 - Elders Inquire of the Lord"). The Lord, however, saw through their pretense, revealing that they had "set up their idols in their heart" and placed "the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face" [Ezekiel 14:3](/ezekiel/14-3 "Ezekiel 14:3 - Idols in the Heart"). God declares that He will answer them according to their idolatry, not their feigned piety, and that His judgment will fall upon both the false prophet who gives counsel and the idolatrous inquirer who seeks it [Ezekiel 14:4-7](/ezekiel/14-4 "Ezekiel 14:4-7 - God's Judgment on Idolatry"). Verse 8 specifically details the severe, public, and definitive consequences for the individual inquirer who attempts to approach God with a divided heart, serving as a warning against spiritual duplicity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel delivered this prophecy during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national crisis for Israel. Many exiles, including the elders, struggled with their faith, some clinging to the remnants of pagan practices or syncretistic beliefs, while others outwardly sought the Lord. Idolatry was a pervasive issue throughout Israel's history, often involving foreign deities or even worship of Yahweh through forbidden images. The concept of "idols in the heart" highlights that sin is not merely external action but an internal disposition, a devotion of the heart to anything other than God. Being "cut off from the midst of my people" was a severe punishment in ancient Israel, often implying excommunication, loss of inheritance, and sometimes even a divinely ordained death, signifying a breach of the covenant relationship and exclusion from the blessings and protection of the community.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in [Ezekiel 14](/ezekiel/14 "Ezekiel 14 - Idolatry and Divine Judgment") is God's **uncompromising judgment against idolatry** and hypocrisy. This verse underscores the **personal responsibility** of individuals for their sin, even within a corporate context. It emphasizes God's **holiness and demand for exclusive worship**, revealing that He cannot be trifled with or approached insincerely. The recurring motif "ye shall know that I am the LORD" [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Knowing God Through Judgment") is central, highlighting God's self-vindication and the revelation of His sovereign power and identity through His righteous acts of judgment. The verse also touches upon the theme of **separation**—God's active removal of the unfaithful from His covenant people to preserve the purity of His community and uphold His covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sign (Hebrew, _ʼôwth'_):** H226, refers to a signal, mark, or token, often a miraculous or prodigious one. Here, it signifies that the person's fate will become a visible, public demonstration or warning, a tangible evidence of God's judgment.
* **proverb (Hebrew, _mâshâl'_):** H4912, denotes a pithy maxim, a simile, or an adage. In this context, it means the individual will become a byword or a cautionary tale, a living illustration of the consequences of spiritual disloyalty, spoken of in common discourse.
* **cut him off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** H3772, a primitive root meaning to cut (off, down, or asunder), by implication to destroy or consume. Theologically, it often refers to being severed from the covenant community, implying loss of divine protection, blessings, and sometimes physical death. It signifies a breaking of the covenant relationship.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** H3045, a primitive root meaning to ascertain by seeing, to comprehend, or to be acquainted with. Here, it implies a experiential, undeniable recognition of God's true nature, power, and authority, brought about through His acts of judgment.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068, the self-Existent or Eternal One, the Jewish national name of God, Jehovah. This emphasizes God's unchanging, sovereign identity and His covenant faithfulness, even as He executes judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will set my face against that man":** This clause vividly portrays God's determined, direct, and personal opposition. The anthropomorphic expression "set my face against" conveys an unwavering resolve and an active, intentional confrontation from the divine presence, signifying a posture of judgment.
* **"and will make him a sign and a proverb":** This describes the public and exemplary nature of the judgment. The individual's downfall will not be private but will serve as a visible warning ("sign") and a widely recognized cautionary tale or byword ("proverb") for others, illustrating the severe consequences of spiritual rebellion.
* **"and I will cut him off from the midst of my people":** This signifies a definitive act of separation and excommunication. The individual is removed from the covenant community of Israel, losing their place, protection, and blessings within God's chosen people. This denotes a profound spiritual and often social alienation, a breaking of the relationship with God's collective body.
* **"and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD":** This final declaration reveals the ultimate purpose of God's judgment. Through these severe actions, God vindicates His holy name and reveals His true identity, power, and authority to His people. It is an experiential knowing, a recognition of His absolute sovereignty and His demand for exclusive devotion.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 14:8 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, seen in the phrase "I will set my face against that man." This attributes a human characteristic (having a face and setting it) to God, making His determined opposition and personal involvement in judgment more relatable and impactful. The phrase "make him a sign and a proverb" utilizes **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**, as the individual's fate becomes a living embodiment of divine judgment, serving as a cautionary tale. There is also a strong sense of **Parallelism** in the repeated "I will" statements ("I will set," "I will make," "I will cut off"), which emphasizes the divine initiative and unwavering resolve behind these actions. The verse also functions as a **Prophetic Warning**, designed to elicit fear and repentance by clearly articulating the dire consequences of unrepentant sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 14:8 profoundly underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for unreserved devotion. It reveals that God is not merely an impersonal force but a personal, righteous judge who actively confronts sin, especially the insidious idolatry of the heart. The judgment of being made "a sign and a proverb" and "cut off" highlights the public nature of God's justice and His commitment to maintaining the purity of His covenant community. Ultimately, God's actions serve to reveal His true identity and sovereignty, ensuring that His people, and indeed the world, "know that I am the LORD." This divine self-revelation through judgment is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, demonstrating that God's character is fully consistent with both His mercy and His justice.

* [Leviticus 20:3](/leviticus/20-3 "Leviticus 20:3 - God's Face Against Those Who Offer to Molech")
* [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Being Cut Off for High-Handed Sin")
* [Psalm 78:66](/psalms/78-66 "Psalm 78:66 - God's Judgment on His Adversaries")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 14:8 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder that God sees beyond our outward religious observances and penetrates the true condition of our hearts. For believers today, this verse challenges us to examine our own lives for any "idols" that might subtly compete for God's rightful place. These idols can manifest as an inordinate love for money, power, comfort, reputation, or even family, if they supersede our devotion to Christ. The warning to be "cut off" reminds us of the serious spiritual consequences of a divided heart and the danger of spiritual hypocrisy. True faith demands wholehearted commitment and genuine repentance. This passage calls us to cultivate an authentic relationship with God, one marked by sincerity, obedience, and an undivided loyalty, trusting that His ultimate desire is not merely judgment but also restoration for those who truly turn to Him. It encourages a deep introspection: are we truly seeking God, or are we merely going through the motions while our hearts are elsewhere?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols of the heart" might be subtly competing for my ultimate devotion, even if I outwardly profess faith in God?**
* **How does the concept of being "cut off from the midst of my people" challenge my understanding of belonging to God's community today?**
* **In what ways does God reveal His identity as "the LORD" through both His grace and His judgments in my life or in the world around me?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my heart is fully devoted to God and free from spiritual hypocrisy?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for God to "set my face against that man"?**

Answer: This is an anthropomorphic expression, meaning God is taking a direct, determined, and resolute stand in judgment against that individual. It signifies His active and personal opposition, indicating that He will not ignore or overlook their sin but will confront it directly and decisively. It conveys a sense of unwavering resolve and divine displeasure, similar to how a human might "set their face" with determination towards a task or an opponent.

**How does someone become "a sign and a proverb"?**

Answer: To be made "a sign and a proverb" means that the person's fate will become a public example and a widely recognized cautionary tale. Their downfall will serve as a visible warning ("sign") to others about the consequences of spiritual rebellion and hypocrisy. It will also become a common saying or byword ("proverb"), illustrating the severe repercussions of turning away from God, much like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah became a "sign" and "example" [Jude 1:7](/jude/1-7 "Jude 1:7 - Sodom and Gomorrah as an Example").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 14:8, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment against sin and idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The "man" against whom God sets His face, who is made a "sign and a proverb," and "cut off from the midst of my people," represents humanity's fallen state, estranged from God due to sin. Yet, in the person of Jesus, we see the ultimate "man" upon whom God's face was set, not for His own sin, but for ours. On the cross, Jesus became the ultimate "sign" of God's wrath against sin, enduring the full measure of divine judgment so that we would not have to be "cut off" [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"). He was "cut off from the land of the living" [Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - Christ Cut Off for Our Transgressions"), bearing the penalty of our idolatry and spiritual adultery, so that those who believe might be grafted into God's people [Romans 11:17-24](/romans/11-17 "Romans 11:17-24 - Gentiles Grafted In"). Through His sacrifice, the declaration "ye shall know that I am the LORD" is profoundly fulfilled, as God's character of both perfect justice and boundless love is fully revealed in the crucified and resurrected Christ [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father"). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering reconciliation and eternal inclusion in God's family to all who turn from their idols and trust in Him [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.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 15:7

And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from [one] fire, and [another] fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I set my face against them.

Ezekiel 5:15

So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that [are] round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken [it].

Jeremiah 44:11

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.

Deuteronomy 28:37

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

Isaiah 65:15

And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

Ezekiel 6:7

And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Leviticus 17:10

¶ And whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.