Ezekiel 14:16

Judgment

¹⁴ Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

¹⁵ If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts:

Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate.

¹⁷ Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:

¹⁸ 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.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: 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, but the land would be desolate.
KJV: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate.
WEB: though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters. They only would be delivered, but the land would be desolate.
ASV: though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only should be delivered, but the land should be desolate.
DARBY: though these three men should be in it, [as] I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters: they only should be delivered, and the land should be a desolation.
BLB: [even if] these three men [were] in its midst—[as] I live, a declaration of the Lord YHWH—neither the sons or daughters they could deliver! They alone would be delivered, and the land would become a desolation.

ÅB: da skulle, så sant jeg lever, sier Herren, Israels Gud, disse tre menn, om de var der, hverken kunne berge sønner eller døtre; bare de selv skulle bli berget, men landet skulle bli en ørken.
OTB: så sant jeg lever, sier Herren Gud, selv om disse tre menn var i det, kunne de ikke redde sine sønner eller døtre. De alene ville bli reddet, men landet ville være øde.
B1930: da skulde, så sant jeg lever, sier Herren, Israels Gud, disse tre menn, om de var der, hverken kunne berge sønner eller døtre; bare de selv skulde bli berget, men landet skulde bli en ørken.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Genesis 19:29
And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
Read in context
Job 22:20
Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.
Read in context
Ezekiel 14:14
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
Read in context
Ezekiel 14:18
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.
Read in context
Acts 27:24
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Read in context
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Read in context
Numbers 14:28–29
Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
Read in context
Genesis 18:23–33
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Read in context