Ezekiel 14:4

Therefore speak to them and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him according to his great idolatry,

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Lord GOD commands the prophet to address the men who have approached him for consultation. This occurs during a divine revelation concerning those who seek guidance while maintaining hidden idolatry.

The words — לָ/כֵ֣ן (la./Khen) translates literally as “therefore,” establishing the logical consequence of the preceding indictment. דַּבֵּר\־ (da.ber-) means “speak,” marking the imperative command given to the prophet to deliver the divine response.

The thread — The theme of estrangement from God due to internalized idols appears in Ezekiel 14:3 and Ezekiel 14:7. The principle of divine judgment matching human rebellion is echoed in Isaiah 3:11 and Isaiah 66:4.

Why it lands — The text demands honest self-examination before seeking divine guidance, as God responds to seekers according to the idolatry they harbor. It requires readers to remove internal stumbling blocks rather than treat God as a tool for validating preexisting desires.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

לָכֵ֣ןla./Khen<to>/ therefore דַּבֵּר־da.ber-speak א֠וֹתָם'o.to/mwith/ them וְאָמַרְתָּ֨ve./'a.mar.Taand/ you will say אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם'a.lei./Hemto/ them כֹּה־koh-thus אָמַ֣ר׀'a.Marhe says אֲדֹנָ֣י'a.do.Nai[the] Lord יְהוִ֗הYah.wehYahweh אִ֣ישׁ'isha person אִ֣ישׁ'isha person מִבֵּ֣יתmi./Beitfrom/ [the] house of יִשְׂרָאֵ֡לYis.ra.'ElIsrael אֲשֶׁר֩'a.Sherwho יַעֲלֶ֨הya.'a.Lehhe will bring up אֶת־'et-<obj.>גִּלּוּלָ֜יוgi.lu.La/vidols/ his אֶל־'el-to לִבּ֗וֹli.B/oheart/ his וּמִכְשׁ֤וֹלu./mikh.Sholand/ [the] stumbling block of עֲוֹנוֹ֙a.vo.N/oiniquity/ his יָשִׂים֙ya.Simhe will put נֹ֣כַחNo.khachbefore פָּנָ֔יוpa.Na/vface/ his וּבָ֖אu./Va'and/ he will go אֶל־'el-to הַנָּבִ֑יאha./na.Vi'the/ prophet אֲנִ֣י'a.NiI יְהוָ֗הYah.wehYahweh נַעֲנֵ֧יתִיna.'a.Nei.tiI will let myself give an answerל֦וֹl/oto/ himבָ֖אvah'he came בְּרֹ֥בbe./Roby/ [the] multitude of גִּלּוּלָֽיו׃gi.lu.La/vidols/ his

King James Version

Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

Cross-references

Isaiah 66:4 So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
Ezekiel 14:7 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.
Isaiah 3:11 Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.
Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
1 Kings 21:20 When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.
2 Kings 1:16 And Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: Is there really no God in Israel for you to inquire of His word? Is that why you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.”
Ezekiel 2:7 But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.
Ezekiel 3:4 Then He said to me, “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak My words to them.