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.

EZEKIEL 14:6KJV
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Ezekiel 14:6 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 14:6 mean?

Ezekiel 14:6 is a direct call from God to the people of Israel, telling them to repent and turn away from their idols and all the detestable things they have been doing. The verse urges the Israelites to make a clear break from their wrong practices and return to God.

In this verse, God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel to the "house of Israel," meaning the whole nation. The context is that many Israelites had turned to idols and other practices that went against God's commands. The verse uses strong language to emphasize that real repentance means not just feeling sorry, but actively turning away from idols and rejecting everything that offends God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 14:6

  • "Repent" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means "to turn back" or "return." Here, it stresses that repentance is not just about regret, but about a real change in direction—leaving idols behind and coming back to God.
  • "Idols" (גִּלּוּלִים, gillulim): This word refers to false gods or images of worship. It often carries a sense of something detestable or worthless, highlighting how seriously God views idol worship.
  • "Abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah): This word means things that are deeply offensive or disgusting, especially in a religious sense. God is calling out not just idol worship, but all practices that are spiritually corrupt.

Why Ezekiel 14:6 matters

  • Ezekiel 14:6 makes it clear that repentance involves action, not just words or feelings. The verse insists on a decisive turning away from idols and sinful practices.
  • The verse shows God's willingness to forgive, but only if the people truly change their ways, not just outwardly but in their hearts and actions.
  • This verse connects to the larger message in Ezekiel, where God is confronting the people’s divided loyalties and calling them back to exclusive faithfulness. It highlights the seriousness of idolatry and the need for a complete break from it.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“abominations” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Ezra 9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
  • Ezekiel 7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.