Ezekiel 14:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God exposes the elders' hidden idolatry as the reason He will not answer them.
The Context of Ezekiel 14:3
God identifies the heart-idolatry of the elders as the barrier to receiving divine guidance.
What Does Ezekiel 14:3 Mean?
God addresses Ezekiel and reveals the true condition of these elders: despite their outward respect for the prophet, they have set up idols in their hearts. The idols are not necessarily carved images but the deep desires, allegiances, and values that compete with loyalty to God. Their iniquity—the wrong they have committed—stands as an obstruction between them and God's face, preventing direct access to His presence.
God's rhetorical question challenges whether He should even respond to those whose hearts are divided by idolatry. This establishes the principle that God does not grant favor or guidance to those who harbor spiritual unfaithfulness. The elders seek a word from God while their hearts cling to other loyalties, making their petition fundamentally contradictory.
Ezekiel 14:3 in the Original Language
gillul (גִּלּוּל), 'idols' — literally rollings or dung-pellets, a dismissive term emphasizing the worthlessness of idolatrous objects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 14:3
What does Ezekiel 14:3 mean?
God exposes the elders' hidden idolatry as the reason He will not answer them.
What is the context of Ezekiel 14:3?
God identifies the heart-idolatry of the elders as the barrier to receiving divine guidance.