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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Ezekiel 14:8 delivers a stern warning from the Lord concerning those who persist in idolatry and hypocrisy. It underscores God's unwavering resolve to confront sin directly and to separate the unfaithful from His covenant community, ultimately revealing His sovereign power and identity.

Context of Ezekiel 14:8

This verse is part of a broader prophetic message delivered by Ezekiel to the elders of Israel who were in exile in Babylon. These elders came to Ezekiel to "inquire of the Lord," but God revealed that their hearts were still full of idols (Ezekiel 14:3). The Lord declared that He would answer them according to their idolatry, not their pretense of piety. Verse 8 specifically details the severe consequences for any individual who sets up idols in their heart and puts a stumbling block of iniquity before their face, yet still attempts to seek counsel from the Lord through a prophet.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment Against Idolatry: God declares His direct and resolute opposition to those who worship idols, whether literally or in their hearts. The phrase "I will set my face against that man" signifies an active, determined, and personal judgment from God.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The unfaithful individual will be made "a sign and a proverb." This means their downfall will serve as a public warning and a byword, a living example of the severe repercussions of spiritual disloyalty.
  • Exclusion from God's People: To be "cut him off from the midst of my people" implies excommunication and separation from the covenant community of Israel. This was a grave punishment, signifying loss of divine protection and blessings, often with implications of physical or spiritual death. Numbers 15:30 also speaks to being cut off for presumptuous sin.
  • God's Self-Vindication: The declaration "ye shall know that I [am] the LORD" is a recurring motif in Ezekiel and other prophetic books. Through His judgments, God reveals His true nature, power, and authority, demonstrating that He alone is the sovereign God who demands exclusive worship and obedience. Exodus 7:5 also highlights God's self-revelation through His actions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "set my face against" (sîm pānî) conveys a strong sense of determined opposition and resolute judgment. It is an anthropomorphism emphasizing God's direct and unwavering intent. The terms "sign and a proverb" (le'ot ulemashal) highlight that the individual's fate will become a public spectacle and a cautionary tale. The verb "cut him off" (hikratîv) is a significant theological term in the Old Testament, often denoting divine judgment leading to exclusion from the community and sometimes even death, signifying a breaking of the covenant relationship.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 14:8 serves as a timeless reminder of God's holiness and His demand for wholehearted devotion. For believers today, it underscores the danger of spiritual hypocrisy and the importance of genuine repentance. Any "idol" in our hearts—whether it be money, power, relationships, or self—that takes precedence over God can lead to spiritual separation and severe consequences. This verse encourages introspection, urging us to examine our hearts and ensure our loyalty to God is undivided. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, and He will not tolerate a divided heart, ultimately seeking to reveal His glory and sovereignty through both His grace and His righteous judgment.

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.

  • 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.

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