---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Ezekiel 14:1. Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me — These probably came to tempt him, or get him to say something that would embroil h"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/ezekiel/14"
---

Verse [Ezekiel 14:1](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/1). ***Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me*** — These probably came to tempt him, or get him to say something that would embroil him with the government. They were bad men, as we shall see in the third verse.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:3](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/3). ***These men have set up their idols in their heart*** — Not only in their houses; in the *streets*; but they had them in their *hearts*. These were *stumbling-blocks* of iniquity; they *fell over* *them*, and broke the neck of their souls. And should God be inquired of by such miscreants as these?

Verse [Ezekiel 14:4](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/4). ***According to the multitude of his idols*** — I will treat him as an idolater, as a flagrant idolater.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:7](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/7). ***And cometh to a prophet*** — Generally supposed to mean a *false prophet*.
***I the Lord will answer him by myself*** — I shall discover to him, by my own true prophet, what shall be the fruit of his ways. So, while their false prophets were assuring them of peace and prosperity, God's prophets were predicting the calamities that afterwards fell upon them. Yet they believed the *false prophets* in preference to the *true*. Ahab, about to engage with the Syrians, who had possession of Ramoth-Gilead, asked Micaiah, the prophet of the Lord, concerning the event; who told him he should lose the battle. He then inquired of Zedekiah, a false prophet, who promised him a glorious victory. Ahab believed the latter, marched against the enemy, was routed, and slain in the battle, [1 Kings 22:10](../../../kjv/1-kings/22/10), &c.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:9](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/9). ***I the Lord have deceived that prophet*** — That is, he ran before he was sent; he willingly became the servant of Satan's illusions; and I *suffered* this to take place, because he and his followers refused to consult and serve me. I have often had occasion to remark that it is common in the Hebrew language to state a thing as done by the Lord which he only *suffers* or *permits* to be done; for so absolute and universal is the government of God, that the smallest occurrence cannot take place without his *will* or *permission*.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:10](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/10). ***The punishment of the prophet*** — They are both equally guilty; both have left the Lord, and both shall be equally punished.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:13](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/13). ***By trespassing grievously*** — Having been frequently warned, and having refused to leave their sin, and so filled up the measure of their iniquity.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:14](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/14). ***Though - Noah, Daniel, and Job*** — The intercession even of the holiest of men shall not avert my judgments. *Noah*, though a righteous man, could not by his intercession preserve the old world from being drowned. *Job*, though a righteous man, could not preserve his children from being killed by the fall of their house. Daniel, though a righteous man, could not prevent the captivity of his country. *Daniel* must have been *contemporary* with *Ezekiel*. He was taken captive in the *third* year of Jehoiakim, [Daniel 1:1](../../../kjv/daniel/1/1). After this Jeholakim reigned *eight* years, [2 Kings 23:36](../../../kjv/2-kings/23/36). And this prophecy, as appears from [Ezekiel 8:1](../../../kjv/ezekiel/8/1), was uttered in the *sixth* year of Jehoiachin's captivity, who succeeded Jehoiakim, and reigned only *three* months, [2 Kings 24:6](../../../kjv/2-kings/24/6); [2 Kings 24:8](../../../kjv/2-kings/24/8). Therefore at this time Daniel had been *fourteen* years in captivity. See *Newcome*. Even at this time he had gained much public celebrity. From this account we may infer that *Job* was as *real* a *person* as *Noah* or *Daniel*; and of their identity no man has pretended to doubt. When God, as above, has determined to punish a nation, no intercession shall avail. *Personal holiness* alone can prevent these evils; but the holiness of any man can only avail for himself.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:21](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/21). ***My four sore judgments*** — SWORD, *war*. FAMINE, occasioned by *drought*. PESTILENCE, epidemic diseases which sweep off a great part of the inhabitants of a land. The NOISOME BEAST, the multiplication of *wild beasts* in consequence of the general destruction of the inhabitants.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/22). ***Behold, they shall come forth unto you*** — Though there shall be great desolations in the land of Judea, yet a *remnant* *shall be left that shall come here also as captives*; and their account of the abominations of the people shall prove to you with what propriety I have acted in abandoning them to such general destruction. This speech is addressed to those who were already in captivity; i.e., those who had been led to Babylon with their king Jeconiah.

Verse [Ezekiel 14:23](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/23). ***Ye shall know that I have not done without cause*** — There is no part of the conduct of God towards man that is not dictated by the purest principles of *justice, equity*, and *truth*. He does nothing but what is *right*; and whatever is right to be done, that *ought* to be done. In God's *justice* there is no *severity*; in God's *mercy* there is no *caprice*. He alone doth all things *well*; for he is the Fountain of justice and mercy.

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