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;

EZEKIEL 14:4KJV
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Ezekiel 14:4 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 14:4 mean?

Ezekiel 14:4 says that anyone from Israel who keeps idols in their heart and comes to a prophet for guidance will receive an answer from God that matches the number and seriousness of their idols. God is making it clear that He will respond to people based on the hidden loyalties and sins they carry inside, not just their outward actions.

In this verse, God is speaking through Ezekiel to the elders of Israel who have come to him. The situation is that these leaders are outwardly seeking God’s word, but privately they are devoted to idols. God tells Ezekiel to warn them that He sees their inner attachments and will answer them in a way that exposes their divided hearts, showing that true devotion cannot be faked.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 14:4

  • "Idols" (גִּלּוּלִים, gillulim): This word refers to disgusting or detestable things, not just neutral statues. It emphasizes how offensive these idols are to God, highlighting the seriousness of the people’s hidden worship.
  • "Stumblingblock" (מִכְשׁוֹל, mikshol): This means something that causes a person to trip or fall, here referring to the sin (iniquity) that keeps people from following God. The verse points out that the real danger is not just the idols themselves, but the way they trip people up spiritually.
  • "Answer" (עָנָה, ‘anah): This word means to respond or reply. God is saying He will personally respond to those who come to Him, but His answer will be shaped by their own unfaithfulness.

Why Ezekiel 14:4 matters

  • Ezekiel 14:4 clears up the idea that outward religious actions can hide inward rebellion; God sees and responds to what is truly in a person’s heart.
  • This verse shows that God’s answers to people are not always what they expect—He may confront them with their own sins instead of giving the guidance they want.
  • Ezekiel 14:4 ties into the wider passage where God is warning Israel’s leaders that their secret idol-worship is not hidden from Him, setting the stage for the rest of Ezekiel’s message about judgment and repentance.

Where else these words appear

“stumblingblock” Hebrew H4383 · used in 14 verses

  • Leviticus 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
  • Isaiah 57:14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
  • Ezekiel 14:3 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?

“before” Hebrew H5227 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 25:21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
  • Judges 18:6 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go.
  • Proverbs 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

“idols” Hebrew H1544 · used in 45 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • Ezekiel 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.
  • Ezekiel 20:39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

“multitude” Hebrew H7230 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 16:10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
  • Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.