Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 14:6
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.
6. The prophet is not permitted to give an answer to any inquiries of such men. Jehovah will answer them through himself ( Eze 14:7); the message which the prophet has to deliver is, repentance or destruction!
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Unto the house of Israel; to these men the elders, whoever they are, give charge that they repent, and by them send word to the residue of the house of Jacob that they do so too.
Repent; be sorry and testify your sorrow for such sins.
And turn yourselves; renounce them for future, cease to be idolaters, let your visible carriage in reforming all be seen too. Amend heart and ways, let not your heart be towards idols in point of religion, nor your practice in point of outward deportment be vicious and immoral.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. Though God so threatened thepeople for their idolatry (Eze14:5), yet He would rather they should avert the calamity by”repentance.”
turn yourselvesCALVIN translates,”turn others” (namely, the stranger proselytes inthe land). As ye have been the advisers of others (see Eze14:7, “the stranger that sojourneth in Israel”) toidolatry, so bestow at least as much pains in turning them to thetruth; the surest proof of repentance. But the parallelism to Eze 14:3;Eze 14:4 favors EnglishVersion. Their sin was twofold: (1) “In their heart“or inner man; (2) “Put before their face,“that is, exhibited outwardly. So their repentance is generallyexpressed by “repent,” and is then divided into: (1) “Turnyourselves (inwardly) from your idols”; (2) “Turnaway your faces (outwardly) from all your abominations.”It is not likely that an exhortation to convert others should comebetween the two affecting themselves.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Therefore say unto the house of Israel,…. Deliver out the following exhortation to repentance unto them; for God’s end, in all his threatenings and judgments, is to bring men to repentance:
thus saith the Lord God, repent, and turn [yourselves] from your idols; or, “turn, and cause to be turned from your idols” w; turn yourselves from the worship of idols, as the Targum, and do all that in you lies to turn others from the same; particularly your wives and young men, as Kimchi: and the rather they were obliged to do this, since in all probability they had been the means of drawing them into idolatry:
and turn away your faces from all your abominations; their idols, detestable to God, and ought to have been so to them; these he would have them turn their faces from, not so much as look at them, much less worship them, that they might not be ensnared by them; this is said, in opposition to their setting of them before their face, Eze 14:3.
w “convertimini, et facite converti”, Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Now God shows why he had threatened the false prophets and the whole people so severely, namely, that they should repent; for the object of God’s rigor is, that, when terrified by his judgments, we should return into the way. Now, therefore, he exhorts them to repentance. Hence we gather the useful lesson, that whenever God inspires us with fear, he has no other intention than to humble us, and thus to provide for our salvation, when he reproves and threatens us so strongly by his prophets, and in truth is verbally angry with us, that he may really spare us. But the exhortation is short, that they may be converted and turned away from their idols, and may turn their faces from all their abominations. When he uses the word השיבו, heshibev, in the second clause, some understand “wives;” but this is frigid: others think the verb transitive, but yet impersonal, thus make yourselves return: this also is harsh. (40) I have no doubt that the Prophet here exhorts the Israelites that each should desire to reconcile himself to God, and at the same time bring others with him. As many were mutually the authors of evils to each other, he now orders them to do their utmost to bring back others with them: and surely this is a true proof of our repentance, when we are not only converted to God one by one, but, when we stretch forth our hand to our brethren, and recall them from error; especially if they have wandered away through our fault, we must take care to make up for the injury by at least equal diligence. The sense therefore of the Prophet is, first, that, the Israelites should repent; next, that one should assist another to repentance, or that they should mutually unite in the pursuit of piety, just as each was previously corrupted by his companion and brother. This seems to be the full meaning. Besides, this series must be remarked: because many show zeal in seizing others, and stretching out the hand to free them from error; but they themselves never think of repenting. But the Holy Spirit here shows us the true method of proceeding, when he commands us to repent, and then extends our desires to our brethren who have need of our exhortations. At length he adds, withdraw your faces, or turn away from all your abominations. A part is here put by the Prophet for the whole, since turning away the face means the same as withdrawing all the senses. Since, therefore, they had been almost affixed to their own abominations to which they had cast their eyes, and were completely intent upon them, he orders them to turn away their faces, so as to bid them farewell. It follows —
(40) Calvin has not explained the difficulty which he raises. The verb “return” is in Hiphil, and thought to have a case following it. Houbigant reads it in Hophal, and Newcombe prefers to understand “yourselves.” Rosemuller, as usual, is very explanatory.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) Repent and turn.The announcements of the previous verses form the basis for the earnest call to a true repentance. There can be no hope for Israel in any merely outward reformation; they have to do with the Searcher of hearts, and the only repentance acceptable to Him is that which has its seat in the affections of the heart.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
STATEMENT OF THE DIVINE LAW WHICH CONTROLS EVEN FALSE PROPHECY, Eze 14:6-11.
6. Repent The Lord will give to these idolaters no view of the future until they pluck their idols out of their hearts and turn away from sin.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Return you and turn yourselves from idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, and takes his idols into his heart, and puts the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet to enquire for himself concerning me. I Yahweh will answer him by myself. 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 among my people, and you will know that I am Yahweh.’ ”
The constant repetition reveals how hard God was trying to drum in this lesson to Ezekiel’s hearers, the people in exile. Idolatry had for so long been a hindrance to Israel’s faith, as today Mammon and Sex are, and God was determined to root it out. He again called on them to ‘return’ to Him and ‘turn’ themselves from idols, and the abominations that were a part of their worship.
But if they did not do so, and yet sought to a prophet to try to justify their position, He would not answer through the prophet. Indeed He would deceive the prophet (Eze 14:9). And He would Himself answer in judgment those who refused to reject idols. He would set His face against them and treat them in such a way that all would remember it. They would become a sign. What happened to them would become proverbial. For He would destroy them from among His people. Then would all know that He was truly Yahweh, the living, holy God, Who would never condone sin and unfaithfulness.
‘Return you and turn yourselves from idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.’ A positive response was being called for, a turning about. It was not enough to be ‘sorry’, they had to take positive action, a resolve once and for all to have nothing to do with idols. This reflects a mistake made by many that all they have to do is keep on saying sorry to God before they race back to the things they love. But God requires a total turning about, a true repentance, reflected not so much in tears as in obedience.
‘The strangers who sojourn.’ Note also that this was to apply to any who would take up permanent residence among the people of Israel. It was necessary that they too reject idolatry. (LXX here calls them ‘proselytes’). Otherwise they would bring down the judgment of God on Israel. The success of this ministry was revealed in that when exiles did return to Jerusalem they were particularly careful to spurn idolatry and refuse ‘fellowship’ with outsiders. Possibly in fact, as men will, they became too careful. But at least the lesson was learned.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 14:6 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.
Ver. 6. Repent, and turn yourselves. ] Or, Turn others; for true converts will be converting their brethren. They like not to go to heaven alone.
And turn away your faces.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 14:6-8
6Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations. 7For anyone of the house of Israel or of the immigrants who stay in Israel who separates himself from Me, sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me for himself, I the LORD will be brought to answer him in My own person. 8I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from among My people. So you will know that I am the LORD.
Eze 14:6 The phrase Thus says the Lord GOD is used in several senses in Ezekiel.
1. positive
a. a call to repentance, Eze 14:6
b. forgiveness of the covenant people, Eze 36:33
c. resurrection, Eze 37:12
d. gathering exiles, Eze 37:21
e. restoration of the fortunes of Jacob and having mercy on the whole house of Israel, Eze 39:25
2. negative
a. YHWH gives Ezekiel a message that His people will not listen to, Eze 2:4; Eze 3:11
b. prophecies against the false prophets, Eze 13:3; Eze 13:8
c. prophecies against
(1) apostasy, Eze 20:30
(2) social injustice, Eze 45:9
d. prophecies against the surrounding nations
(1) Ammon, Eze 25:3
(2) Tyre, Eze 28:2
(3) Cush, Put, Lud, Arabia, Libya, Eze 30:2-5
(4) Gog, Eze 39:1
e. prophecies against Judah, Eze 5:8; Eze 6:3; Eze 12:19
As Eze 14:4 was emphatic, so too, Eze 14:6.
1. say – BDB 55, KB 65, Qal IMPERATIVE
2. say – BDB 55, KB 65, Qal PERFECT
YHWH commands them to do three things (all using one VERBAL root, BDB 996, KB 1427).
1. repent (cf. Eze 18:30; Eze 18:32; Eze 33:11; Isa 55:6-7)
2. turn away from your idols
3. turn away from all your abominations (see Special Topic at Eze 5:11)
SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Eze 14:7 the immigrants Non-Jews were to be treated as equals in the legal realm (cf. Lev 19:33-35). Israel was to deal with them graciously (cf. Lev 23:22; Deu 10:19; Deu 24:17; Deu 27:19). Israel had also been an alien in Egypt (cf. Exo 22:21; Exo 23:9) and knew how it felt!
who separates himself from Me This VERB (BDB 634, KB 684, Niphal IMPERFECT) means to dedicate oneself by separating oneself from ceremonial evil. The NOUN form is used of those in Numbers 6 who separate themselves by vow and restrictions to God (i.e., Nazirites, both male and female). There is a play on words here.
1. holy, means separated to God for His service
2. nzr, means those who separate themselves (men and women) to God by special vow (Numbers 6). See Special Topic: Nazarite Vow
3. these idolaters have separated themselves from God and to idols
I the LORD will be brought to answer him in My own person What an ominous phrase. YHWH comes personally, not for blessing, but for destruction (cf. Eze 14:4; also note Heb 10:31).
Eze 14:8 I shall set My face against that man As the idolater sets his idol right before his face (cf. Eze 14:4), so now YHWH sets His face against him (cf. Eze 15:7). The face (BDB 815) is an idiom of personal presence (cf. Eze 14:4; Eze 14:7).
Notice what YHWH threatens to do to the idolater.
1. make him a sign (BDB 16)
2. make him a proverb (BDB 605, possibly byword, cf. Deu 28:37; 1Ki 9:7; 2Ch 7:20; Psa 44:14; Jer 24:9; Joe 2:17)
3. cut him off from the covenant people (BDB 503, KB 500, Hiphil PERFECT)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
turn yourselves = turn ye.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Repent: Eze 18:30, 1Sa 7:3, 1Ki 8:47-49, Neh 1:8, Neh 1:9, Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7, Jer 8:5, Jer 8:6, Jer 31:18-20, Jer 50:4, Jer 50:5, Lam 3:39-41, Hos 14:1-3, Hos 14:8, Jon 3:7-9, Mat 3:8-10, Act 3:19, Act 17:30, Act 26:20, Jam 4:8-10
yourselves: or, others
turn: Eze 14:4, Eze 8:16, Eze 16:63, Eze 36:31, Eze 36:32, 2Ch 29:6, Isa 2:20, Isa 30:22, Jer 13:27, Zep 3:11, Rom 6:21
Reciprocal: Eze 20:7 – the abominations Eze 33:11 – turn ye
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 14:6. This verse should be considered in connection with verse 4, It all means that God would answer these pretended enquirers through the prophet to some extent, but the answer would not be as a recognition of the rights of the evil men, for they were not entitled to such notice. But instead of this, the prophet was told to admonish them to repent and give up their love of idols.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eze 14:6-8. Therefore say, Repent Be truly sorry for your past sins, and give proof of your sorrow by forsaking them, &c.; and turn from your idols Separate yourselves from them, that they may not finally and eternally separate you from God. And turn away your faces Your heart and ways; from all your abominations Not only from all your idolatries, but from all sinful practices. Turn your faces from them, abhor the very sight of them; not only forsake them, but do it with loathing and detestation. For every one of the house of Israel Every Jew of the seed of Abraham, whom this warning first and principally concerns; or of the stranger that sojourneth, &c. Every proselyte: or the expression may include the foreigners who lived in Judea, termed, in the fourth commandment, the stranger within their gates. For these, although they were neither circumcised nor subject to the ceremonial laws, yet were under an obligation to refrain from idolatry, or from worshipping any God but Jehovah. Which separateth himself from me Who leaves me to worship idols. God considered them as separating themselves from him, not only if they wholly left off to worship him, but also if they worshipped as gods any other beings, real or imaginary, along with him. For he, being the only true God, could not, of course, admit of any other to be worshipped together with him, as no other being whatsoever had the least pretence to be worshipped as God. I the Lord will answer him by myself I who am Jehovah, the only Creator, Preserver, and Lord of all things, will answer him according to my own inherent power, not by words, but by executing my judgments upon him. And he shall find by the answer, that it was not the prophet, but God that answered, so dreadful, searching, and astonishing shall my answer be. And I will set my face against that man
I will make him a mark for my indignation; and will make him a sign and a proverb A signal and remarkable instance of my vengeance; and will cut him off, &c. By sudden death, attended with extraordinary circumstances.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
A warning to all God’s people 14:6-11
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
The Lord called His people to change their minds (repent, Heb. shub), turn away from the idols in their hearts, and abandon them.