Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 14:4
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;
4. The Lord will answer such men directly through himself, by involving them in the consequences of their own idolatries and destroying them.
setteth up his idols ] Cf. Eze 14:3.
will answer him that cometh ] If this reading be adopted, the rendering must be, I the Lord will answer him; he cometh in the multitude a meaning which has no probability. The present text reads, I will answer him according to it, (i.e. the iniquity, or the stumbling-block) (even) according to the multitude, &c. In Eze 14:7, where the same expression occurs, the reading is, “I will answer him by myself; ” and the present passage had better be assimilated to Eze 14:7. What is meant by the Lord’s answering “through himself” is stated Eze 14:8, “I will set my face against that man.” The answer will be given in acts of judgment.
according to the multitude ] The divine chastisement will be heavy, proportionate to the gross idolatry.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Omit that cometh.
According to the multitiude of his idols – i. e., I will give him an answer as delusive as the idols which he serves. Compare Micaiahs answer to Ahab 1Ki 22:15.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Eze 14:4
I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols.
Answered according to their idols
With them, as froward, the All-seeing will, in the psalmists terribly bold phrase, show Himself froward; they will incur that penalty which Scripture describes as a blinding of their eyes and a hardening of their heart, and which essentially consists in their being left to themselves without the light which they do not sincerely seek for–left, in fact, to take their own way, and see what will come of it. This line of Biblical language has caused difficulties which cannot be passed over; the more so, because one passage in which it is found (Isa 6:10) is of all passages in the Old Testament the one most frequently cited in the New Testament; and St. John, with a startling distinctness, attributes the blinding and hardening to the Lord. The explanation must be found in that law of ethical life whereby persistency in self-will–the process, as Shakespeare, in an awfully vivid passage, calls it, of growing hard in viciousness–does inevitably produce moral insensibility. All serious moralists, whatever be their theological standpoint, will admit this to be a fact; and all who believe in a God will see in it a revelation of His character, so that when it works He is, in fact, allowing it to take its course. And it is the method of Scripture writers to impress the fact on mens minds with a concrete vividness, by representing such action on Gods part as a literal penal infliction. There, anyhow, stands the fact, and we have to reckon with it. Let us also fear, and be on our guard, lest, for lack of the single-eyed purpose which our Lord insists upon in His great sermon, we too should be left in the great darkness which waits like a shadow on hardness of heart. (Canon Bright.)
The blight of the idol
A mans vision determines what kind of revelation he will accept. It will guide him in the choice of his prophet: Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them? (Eze 14:3). When an inquirer comes with his idol in his heart, he is not an inquirer, but a claimant; he has brought with him the only answer which he is prepared to entertain: he falls over the stumbling block of his iniquity, and misses the light of the bright and morning star. How that according to reverberates through the prophets messages! Here it declares that every idol carries with it a lie that will be believed for truth. There is an atmosphere in which the true prophet cannot draw his breath and speak distinctly; the false prophet can and that is the disaster. Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients (Eze 7:26). when idols flourish, ideals perish. (H. E. Lewis.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 4. According to the multitude of his idols] I will treat him as an idolater, as a flagrant idolater.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Mince not the matter, lessen not, neither vary, what I say unto thee, but declare fully and undauntedly
unto them, though great men, and who will compliment with thee.
Every man, without exception, whoever be the man among the Israelites, that hath his heart riveted to idols, and yet comes to the prophet, as if it were to know what were best to be done, and what will be the issue of these times and things, I will answer him but little to his satisfaction or safety; such answer shall such receive, as in seeing they shall not see, &c. I will declare the greatness of their sin and punishment; they multiplied idols, this their sin, I will multiply their sorrows; they first run into darkness of idolatry, I will leave them to the darkness of misery. I will give answer, but in just judgment, and with severe reproofs, and menaces, and commands.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. and comethand yetcometh, reigning himself to be a true worshipper of Jehovah.
him that comethso theHebrew Margin reads. But the Hebrew text reading is,”according to it, according to the multitude of hisidols”; the anticipative clause with the pronoun not beingpleonastic, but increasing the emphasis of the following clause withthe noun. “I will answer,” literally, reflexively, “Iwill Myself (or for Myself) answer him.”
according to . . .idolsthus, “answering a fool according to his folly”;making the sinner’s sin his punishment; retributive justice (Pro 1:31;Pro 26:5).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them,…. That is, speak unto them as a prophet, and as from the Lord, and say what follows; so the Targum,
“prophesy 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 stumbling block of his iniquity before his face; let him be who he will, one in public office, an elder of Israel, or a private person; no respect will be had, no distinction made, nor favour shown; being an idolater in heart and practice, secretly and openly, he shall bear the punishment of his sin:
and cometh to the prophet: the Prophet Ezekiel, as the elders of Israel now did, or any other prophet of the Lord: the Vulgate Latin version adds, “inquiring of me by him”; expecting to have an answer, and one according to their wishes:
I the Lord will answer him that cometh; that cometh to the prophet; or, as the Targum,
“that cometh to ask instruction of me:”
here is a various reading, a “Keri” and a “Cetib”; we follow the Keri, or marginal reading, , “that cometh”; and so does the Targum; but the “Cetib”, or written text, is , “in it”, thus; “I the Lord will answer him in it” t; in the question he puts to the prophet, or to the Lord by him; or in that time, immediately; but not with smooth things, as he expects, but with terrible things in righteousness; not in a way of grace and mercy, but in a way of judgment; not as he desires, but as he deserves:
according to the multitude of his idols; in proportion to the number of his gods, and his idolatrous actions, shall the answer or punishment be: or these words may be connected with the word cometh, and be read thus, “that cometh with the multitude of his idols” u; with his heart full of idols, set up there; which is an instance of his hypocrisy, seen and detected by the Lord; and of his impudence, in daring to come unto him in such a manner; and of his folly, to expect a gracious answer from the Lord, this being his case. The Targum understands it quite otherwise, as if the answer the Lord would give would be a kind and agreeable one, paraphrasing this clause thus,
“although he is mixed (implicated or entangled) in the multitude of the worship of his idols.”
t “Eodem tempore]”, Junius Tremellius, Polanus “in illo tempore”, Piscator; “in ea re”, Cocceius, Starckius. u “ipsi venienti in multitudine idolorum suorum”, Pagninus, Montanus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here God seems to treat those hypocrites too indulgently who pretend to ask his advice and yet despise his counsel. But God here rather threatens what would be destructive to the wicked than promises anything which they ought to expect. It is indeed a singular testimony of God’s grace when he answers us: for prophecy is an image of God’s paternal anxiety towards us and our salvation. But sometimes prophecy only ends in destruction; and this is but an accident. Although, therefore, God’s word by itself is naturally to be greatly desired, yet when God answers as a judge, and takes away all hope of pardon and pity, no taste of his favor can then be perceived. Thus this passage must be understood. God pronounces that he would answer, but whom? The reprobate, and those who tauntingly inquired of the Prophet what they should do. When he answers them, he only shows himself the avenger of their perfidy; and thus his answer contains nothing else but the fearful judgment which hangs over all the reprobate. For God does not here impose a perpetual law on himself; for he does not always act in the same way towards all the reprobate, but says that those impious ones should feel that they shall not profit by their cunning and artifices, since they shall find the difference between God and Satan: for they were accustomed to lies, and had itching ears; hence they wished to have some pleasing and flattering answer from the servant of God, since the false prophets gratified their inclinations. What then does God say? I will answer them, but far otherwise than they either wish or desire: for I will answer them according to the multitude of their idols: for they bring with them the material for their own condemnation: hence they shall take back nothing from me but the seal of that condemnation which is already placed upon their hearts, and appears on their hands. In fine, God here laughs at the foolish confidence of those who inquire about future events of his prophets; but meanwhile they have their heart bound up with superstitions, so as openly to show their gross impiety: hence he says, that he would answer them, not as they thought, but as they deserved.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(4) Will answer him that cometh.The words that cometh, not being in the original, should be omitted. The verb answer in the original is in the passive, and has a reflexive sense=I will show myself answering, a softer form than the English. The principle that when man persists in going counter to Gods known will He will allow him to misunderstand that will, is abundantly established by such instances as that of Balaam (Num. 22:20) and of Micaiah (1Ki. 22:15). No man can hope to know what God would have him to do unless his own heart is truly submissive to the Divine will. The threat here is, that the man coming to inquire of God with a heart full of idolatry, shall receive no true answer from that Omniscience which he does not respect; but will rather find himself deceived by the illusions of his own heart. This idea is more fully developed in the following verse. (Comp. Isa. 44:20.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. According to the multitude The severity of the Lord’s answer will be proportionate to the heinousness of the transgression.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Therefore speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and puts the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet. I, Yahweh, will answer him in accordance with it according to the multitude of his idols, that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through idols.’ ”
Yahweh warned that He would not pretend that things were well. All those who were taken up with idols, and chose to come before them in worship, thus making them a stumblingblock in their religious lives, would receive a straight answer when they came to God’s prophet. In accordance with the number of their idols He would answer them, with warnings of severe judgment.
‘That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart.’ This may indicate that His purpose in this was that He might turn their hearts towards Him and capture them. For it was idolatry, and the immorality that went with them, that was causing His hostile attitude towards them and thus estranged them. Or it may mean that His intention was to take them captive in judgment just as they were, with their inner hearts set on idols.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 14:4. I the Lord will answer him that cometh That is, I will take care that the false prophet shall so answer him as his idolatries have deserved. See on Eze 14:9.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 1104
HEART IDOLATRY CONDEMNED
Eze 14:4. Thus saith the Lord God: Every man of the house of Israel that setteth tip his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block 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.
IT is gratifying to see the ordinances of religion well attended but it is painful to reflect how few there are who derive any saving benefit from them; or rather, how many there are who find them, not a savour of life unto life, but rather a savour of death unto their deeper condemnation If we inquire into the reason of this, we must trace it, not to the word itself, (for that, if dispensed aright, is quick and powerful, as in the days of old,) but to the manner in which the ordinances are attended. Men come up to the House of God, just as the Elders of Israel came before the Prophet Ezekiel, with idols in their hearts; and, being unwilling to part with them, they provoke God to withhold from them his blessing, without which not the ministry of Paul himself could be of any avail.
In the case of Ezekiels hearers, we see,
I.
What inconsistencies are found in the Church of God
One would have supposed that these Elders of Israel would either have renounced Jehovah altogether, or have put away the idols which estranged their hearts from him. But they wished to keep up an appearance of godliness in the midst of all their impiety; and therefore came to the prophet for instruction, at the very time that they addicted themselves to the worship of their idols.
Thus it is that men come up to the house of God at this day: they cannot altogether renounce their profession of regard for God; but,
1.
They set up idols in their hearts
[The cares and pleasures of this world are as dominant in the hearts of the generality as in the heathen themselves. And a love to these is declared by God himself to he idolatry [Note: Col 3:5 and Php 3:19.] And shall I say that these idols are set up in their hearts? Yes, verily, and in their houses also: for you may live for years in the houses of the generality of Christians, and hear nothing, and see nothing, but what tends to exalt the creature above the Creator, and proves, that Mammon, rather than Jehovah, is the god whom they serve ]
Yet they wish to be thought the Lords people
[They would be indignant if they were accounted heathens. They suppose themselves to be Christians, notwithstanding they have not one real mark of Christianity about them. If a mere attendance on public ordinances would suffice, all were well: but if an inquiry be made, who or what stands highest in their regards, not the worshippers of Baal, with their vestments on, can shew more clearly whose they are, and whom they serve. The inconsistency of the elders who came to Ezekiel, is apparent to all; but, if candidly examined, it is a perfect representation of that which is found in the great mass of Christians at the present day. In truth, the prophet himself marks the correspondence, when he says, They came to him, as Gods people came; and sat before him as Gods people, and heard his words, but would not do them: for with their mouth they shewed much love; but their heart went after their covetousness [Note: Eze 33:31-32.]. A juster description of the great mass, even of the better sort of Christians, is not to be found in all the book of God.]
That we may guard you against these inconsistencies, we proceed to shew,
II.
The fearful disappointment in which they will surely issue
They cannot but be highly displeasing to a God of truth and holiness. Indeed he tells us, in our text, how such inquirers shall fare. He will answer them,
1.
In a way of silent contempt
[Amongst men, silence is often the severest answer: and such an answer shall all such worshippers receive. God even puts the question to us, Shall I be inquired of by them? As I live, saith the Lord, I will not be inquired of by them [Note: ver. 3. with Eze 20:3.]. Of this indignant contempt we see an instance in Saul; whom God answered not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets [Note: 1Sa 28:6.]. And this exactly accords with the experience of multitudes, who, though they have attended the house of God ten thousand times, have never received one answer to their prayers; and, though they have as often sat before the prophets of the Lord, have never found any efficacy in the word, to convert and save their souls ]
2.
In a way of infatuating delusion
[They come with their prejudices and vain conceits, no one of which do they desire to have rectified and removed. God therefore gives them over to blindness and hardness of heart, and to the very delusions which they have chosen [Note: Isa 66:4.]. He has plainly declared, that he will do this to those who love not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness: he will give them over to strong delusion, that they may believe a lie, and perish in their sins [Note: 2Th 2:10-12.]. In fact, these people prefer the prophets that will deceive them [Note: Isa 30:9-11. Jer 5:31.]; and they will either be given up to the guidance which they affect [Note: ver. 9. with Jer 23:17-18.], or be left under the influence of eyes that cannot see, and ears that cannot hear [Note: Isa 6:9-10. 2Co 4:4.] ]
3.
In a way of just and indignant reprehension
[Against persons of this description, our blessed Lord himself, meek and lowly as he was, spake in the severest terms [Note: Mat 23:13-33.]. And, verily, God will answer them according to the multitude of their idols; setting his face against them, and consigning them over to the judgments which their hypocrisy has deserved [Note: ver. 8. Mat 24:31.]. His word to them is the very reverse of that which will be uttered to his obedient people: Say to the righteous, that it shall be well with them; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings: but woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given unto him [Note: Isa 3:10-11.].]
And now,
1.
Examine, I pray you, with what dispositions you have come hither at this time
[In coming hither, to inquire of the Lord, have ye been sincerely desirous to know his will; and fully determined, through grace, to obey it without reserve? O! judge yourselves; for God knoweth your hearts, and his judgment will be according to truth ]
2.
Look to it, that this message from God produce in your hearts its due effect
[If you will approve yourselves to God, you must be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own souls [Note: Jam 1:22-25.] ]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
There is a great beauty in the original, both at this verse and at verse 7th. Thus saith the Lord God, every man; it is man, man, intimating somewhat stronger than the phrase every man, the doubling or reiteration of man. I beg the reader to remark also those two grand and solemn expressions in this passage, first, the Lord’s answering him by himself; and, secondly, the Lord’s setting his face against that man. Reader! can your imagination fancy anything more solemn or alarming!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Eze 14:4 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;
Ver. 4. I the Lord will answer him. ] Or, As I am the Lord (oath wise), I will answer him, but with bitter answers
According to the multitude of his idols,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See note on Eze 2:4.
Every man. Hebrew. ish, ‘ish. App-14.
before = in front of, or right before.
will answer, &c. = have been replied to for him; he hath come amid [the] multitude of his idols: i.e. he hath answered My claims by classing his idols with Me. The form is Niphal which in all its three occurances is rendered Passive, except here and Eze 14:7. See Job 11:2; Job 19:7, and Pro 21:13.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eze 14:4-6
Eze 14:4-6
“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; that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Return ye, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.”
“That taketh his idols into his heart …” (Eze 14:4). The repeated mention of the idols having been received in the hearts of God’s people is exceedingly significant. It means that they had learned to love the pagan gods and goddesses. Their secret devotion belonged to their idols. The licentious ceremonies with which they had worshipped their idols were dear to their hearts, and they strongly desired to renew such practices. God’s word they neither believed nor trusted.
“I, the Lord will answer him …” (Eze 14:4). Eichrodt labeled this as a “contradiction” of the proposition that idolatrous inquirers would get no answer from God. No, God did not indicate any such refusal to answer the inquiring idolaters; he merely declined to send them any message through a true prophet. They would get an answer, all right, it would be directly from God Himself. “This answer would not have any relation at all to the curiosity of the inquirers; there would be no words; it would consist of the execution of a sentence spelled out in Eze 14:8.
“That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart …” (Eze 14:5). God was here fighting to keep his people; and what is meant here is that, through his judgments against them, he will touch their consciences and bring down their proud hearts. God’s purpose was always their restoration and salvation, never their destruction. “Still, this is a threat of punishment. “After all, to turn to other gods was a crime worthy of death as clearly spelled out in the Law of Moses (Exo 20:3-5; Lev 19:4; Lev 26:1; and Deu 5:8; Deu 12:3; Deu 27:15).
“Return ye, and turn yourselves from your idols …” (Eze 14:6) The infinite mercy of God is here seen in the fact that, while in the very act of pronouncing a sentence of death upon his Chosen People, God here made one last solemn plea for them to forsake the evil idolatrous ways to which their hearts so avidly desired to return, in which guilty state they were already ensnared, and instead to give up all of their evil practices and return wholeheartedly to the Lord.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
speak: Eze 2:7, Eze 3:4, Eze 3:17-21
I the Lord: Eze 14:7, 1Ki 21:20-25, 2Ki 1:16, Isa 3:11, Isa 66:4
Reciprocal: Deu 27:15 – and putteth 2Ki 22:13 – inquire Job 36:21 – regard Jer 42:1 – came Jer 42:20 – For ye Eze 6:9 – their eyes Eze 7:19 – it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity Eze 8:1 – and the Eze 14:3 – these men Eze 14:6 – turn Eze 14:10 – the punishment Eze 16:59 – I will Eze 20:3 – As I Eze 20:16 – for their Eze 20:31 – and shall Eze 44:12 – caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity 2Ti 3:7 – learning
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 14:4. God would not recognize such men in the usual manner, that is, through the established service of a prophet, with the expectation of obtaining any favor at his hands,. Instead, 1-Ie proposed to take charge of the case and handle the pretenders directly as they deserved as regarded such treatment that was coming to them.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eze 14:4-5. Say unto them Declare my will clearly and faithfully; Every man of the house of Israel Whoever he be, rich or poor, mighty or mean; that setteth up his idols in his heart That is attached in his heart to any species of idolatry; and cometh to the prophet As if he were desirous to know what is best to be done, that he might do it; or what is the will of God, that he might comply with it: and what will be the issue of these times and affairs; I the Lord will answer him that cometh And that in a way but little to his satisfaction; according to the multitude of his idols According to his real iniquity, not according to his pretended piety: I will declare the greatness of his sin by the greatness of his punishment; he has multiplied his idols, and I will multiply his sorrows. That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart That I may lay open what is in their hearts, and discover their hypocrisy and impiety; or, that I may reprove and convince them, from their own words and behaviour, what a base part they act, and that their inward and secret wickedness is perfectly known to me. Because they are estranged from me through their idols It is always through some idol or other that the hearts of men are estranged from God. Some creature has gained that place in the heart which belongs to none but God.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14:4 Therefore speak to them, and say to 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 {c} prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude {d} of his idols;
(c) To inquire of things which the Lord has appointed to come to pass.
(d) As his abomination has deserved: that is, he will be led with lies according as he delighted in it, 2Th 2:10 .
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Ezekiel was to tell these elders a message from the Lord. The Lord promised that any person in Israel, not just these elders, who was an idolater at heart and set a stumbling block in his own path by consulting a false prophet for divine guidance would receive an answer from Yahweh, not from the idol. That answer would come in the form of divine judgment, not words (cf. Eze 14:7-10). The judgment of God on those who pursued idolatry was allowing them to continue in it until it destroyed them (cf. Lev 20:3; Lev 20:5-6; Deu 28:37; Hos 4:17; Rom 1:18-32; 2Th 2:11).
"This happens only to those who willingly take deceit into their hearts." [Note: Feinberg, p. 80.]
Taylor titled this section "Condemnation of those who are set on idolatry." [Note: Taylor, p. 125.] It is not the practice of these idolaters that drew the judgment of God, as bad as that was, but their commitment to it that drew the punishment explained here. Yahweh would judge these elders because of the multitude of His people’s idols and to bring their hearts back to Himself. The desire of these elders for a word from the Lord was only hypocritical; they wanted to appear pious but were really idolaters at heart.