Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 14:1-11
Here is, I. The address which some of the elders of Israel made to the prophet, as an oracle, to enquire of the Lord by him. They came, and sat before him, Eze 14:1. It is probable that they were not of those who were now his fellow-captives, and constantly attended his ministry (such as those we read of Eze 8:1), but some occasional hearers, some of the grandees of Jerusalem who had come upon business to Babylon, perhaps public business, on an embassy from the king, and in their way called on the prophet, having heard much of him and being desirous to know if he had any message from God, which might be some guide to them in their negotiation. By the severe answer given them one would suspec…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 14:4
and cometh--and yet cometh, reigning himself to be a true worshipper of Jehovah.
him that cometh--so the Hebrew Margin reads. But the Hebrew text reading is, "according to it, according to the multitude of his idols"; the anticipative clause with the pronoun not being pleonastic, but increasing the emphasis of the following clause with the noun. "I will answer," literally, reflexively, "I will Myself (or for Myself) answer him."
according to . . . idols--thus, "answering a fool according to his folly"; making the sinner's sin his punishment; retributive justice (Pro 1:31; Pro 26:5).
Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 14:4
According to the multitude of his idols - I will treat him as an idolater, as a flagrant idolater.
John Gill on Ezekiel 14:4
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 oth…
