Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

EZEKIEL 14:20KJV
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Ezekiel 14:20 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 14:20 mean?

Ezekiel 14:20 says that even if the famously righteous men Noah, Daniel, and Job were present in the land, they could only save themselves by their own righteousness and not their children or anyone else. God is declaring that personal righteousness cannot shield others from judgment; each person is responsible for themselves.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, who are facing judgment for their unfaithfulness. By naming Noah, Daniel, and Job—well-known for their uprightness—God emphasizes that not even the most righteous individuals could change the outcome for others when God’s judgment is set. This underscores the seriousness of Israel’s situation and the personal nature of accountability before God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 14:20

  • נָתַל (natsal, H5337): This word means "to deliver" or "to rescue." The verse repeats it to stress that even the most righteous can only "deliver" themselves, not others, highlighting the limits of personal righteousness.
  • צְדָקָה (tsedaqah, H6666): This word means "righteousness." In this context, it refers to the moral and faithful living of Noah, Daniel, and Job, showing that only genuine personal righteousness counts before God.
  • נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315): This word means "soul" or "life." The verse says they would only save their own "souls," reinforcing the idea that each person stands or falls on their own before God.

Why Ezekiel 14:20 matters

  • Ezekiel 14:20 clarifies that spiritual heritage or association with righteous people does not guarantee safety from judgment; each person is responsible for their own choices.
  • The verse connects to the broader message of Ezekiel 14, where God repeatedly says that even the presence of the most faithful would not avert judgment for a sinful nation.
  • By naming Noah, Daniel, and Job, the verse shows that God’s standards are consistent and that even the most exceptional examples of faith cannot override the consequences of widespread unfaithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“Daniel” Hebrew H1840 · used in 28 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:1 Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
  • Daniel 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
  • Daniel 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

“Noah” Hebrew H5146 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
  • Genesis 7:9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
  • Genesis 9:8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

“nor” Hebrew H518 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Numbers 14:35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
  • 2 Samuel 17:13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.

“Job” Hebrew H347 · used in 52 verses

  • Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
  • Job 19:1 Then Job answered and said,
  • Job 34:36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.