Ezekiel 14:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God calls Israel to repent and abandon both their idols and their abominable practices.
The Context of Ezekiel 14:6
God offers Israel the path to restoration through repentance and abandonment of idolatry.
What Does Ezekiel 14:6 Mean?
Despite the judgment described, God offers a way forward: repentance. The call is twofold—turn from the idols within the heart and turn away the face (representing intention and focus) from all abominations. This is not merely an external action but a reorientation of the whole person: heart, will, and attention. The possibility of repentance remains open even in exile, offering hope alongside judgment.
Abominations refer to practices and idolatries that violate God's standards and covenant. By calling Israel to repentance, God demonstrates His desire to restore relationship. He has not abandoned them permanently but invites them back through genuine turning, which requires abandoning both the invisible idols of the heart and the visible practices that flow from them.
Ezekiel 14:6 in the Original Language
teshuvah (תְשׁוּבָה), 'repent/return' — a turning back or return, indicating both rejection of the old path and reorientation toward God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 14:6
What does Ezekiel 14:6 mean?
God calls Israel to repent and abandon both their idols and their abominable practices.
What is the context of Ezekiel 14:6?
God offers Israel the path to restoration through repentance and abandonment of idolatry.