Ezekiel 14:4

2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

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;

5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

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
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,
KJV
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;
WEB
Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him there according to the multitude of his idols,
ASV
Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Every man of the house of Israel that taketh his idols into his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I Jehovah will answer him therein according to the multitude of his idols;
DARBY
Therefore speak to them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet, I Jehovah will answer him according to this, according to the multitude of his idols:
BLB
Therefore you must speak to them and say to them, thus says the Lord YHWH: ‘Every man man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart and puts a stumbling block for his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet, I, YHWH, will give answer to him in this, according to the abundance of his idolatry,
ÅB
Tal derfor med dem og si til dem: Så sier Herren, Israels Gud: Hver den av Israels hus som gir sine motbydelige avguder rom i sitt hjerte og setter det som er ham et anstøt til misgjerning, for sine øyne og så kommer til profeten, ham vil jeg, Herren, selv svare[^1] for hans mange motbydelige avguders skyld,
OTB
Derfor skal du tale til dem og si: 'Dette sier Herren Gud: Når noen av Israels hus setter opp avguder i sitt hjerte og plasserer en snublestein av urett foran sitt ansikt, og så kommer til profeten, vil jeg, Herren, svare dem i samsvar med deres avgudsdyrkelse.
B1930
Tal derfor med dem og si til dem: Så sier Herren, Israels Gud: Hver den av Israels hus som gir sine motbydelige avguder rum i sitt hjerte og setter det som er ham et anstøt til misgjerning, for sine øine og så kommer til profeten, ham vil jeg, Herren, selv svare for hans mange motbydelige avguders skyld, / < nemlig i gjerning ved å straffe ham; ESK 14, 8.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 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:

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  • Isaiah 66:4

    I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

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  • Ezekiel 3:17–21

    Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

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  • Isaiah 3:11

    Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

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  • 2 Kings 1:16

    And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 21:20–25

    And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

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  • Ezekiel 3:4

    And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.

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  • Ezekiel 2:7

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

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