Ezekiel 14:18

Verse

then as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, even if these three men were in it, they could not deliver their own sons or daughters. They alone would be delivered.

American Standard Version (1901)

though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only should be delivered themselves.

Bible in Basic English

Even if these three men were in it, by my life, says the Lord, they would not keep safe their sons or daughters, but only themselves.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And these three men be in the midst thereof: as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they themselves alone shall be delivered.

Free Bible Version

As I live, declares the Lord God, even if these three men were present, they couldn't save their own sons or daughters. They would only save themselves.

King James (Authorized) Version

Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

Translation for Translators

as surely as I am alive, even if those three men were in that country, they would not be able to save even their own sons or daughtersfrom being killed. They would save only themselves. That is what I, Yahweh the Lord, declare.

Unlocked Literal Bible

then even if these three men were in the midst of the land—as I live, declares the Lord Yahweh—they would not be able to rescue even their own sons or daughters; only their own lives would be rescued.

Noah Webster Bible

Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

World English Bible

though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only would be delivered themselves.

Young's Literal Translation

and these three men in its midst: I live — an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah — they deliver not sons and daughters, for they alone are delivered.

Context

Four Dire Judgments

¹⁷Or if I bring a sword against that land and say, ‘Let a sword pass through it,’ so that I cut off from it both man and beast,¹⁸then as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, even if these three men were in it, they could not deliver their own sons or daughters. They alone would be delivered.

Summary

In Ezekiel 14:18, the Lord speaks of His judgment upon a land that has sinned greatly against Him. The imagery of a sword of famine, wild beasts, and plague symbolizes the severity of God's punishment for disobedience and idolatry. This verse serves as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of repentance to avoid His righteous judgment. It underscores the principle that sin has serious repercussions, but God's mercy is available to those who humble themselves and seek forgiveness.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Or if I send a pestilence into that land,.... Or the plague, which is the destruction that wastes at noon day; this is from the Lord, and a sore judgment it is: and pour out my fury upon it in blood; or, "by blood" (y); by corrupting the blood, which is done when a man is seized with the pestilence. The Targum renders it, "with slaughter"; by slaying a great number of persons by that disease, as a token of fury and wrath, because of their transgressions. It may be rendered, "because of blood" (z); and so express the cause and reason of the judgment, the shedding of innocent blood: to cut off from it man and beast; man by the pestilence, and beast by some contagious distemper or another. (y) "per sanguinem", Piscator. (z) "Propter sanguinem", Vatablus.

Ezekiel 14:18

Four Dire Judgments

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

then as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, even if these three men were in it, they could not deliver their own sons or daughters. They alone would be delivered.

American Standard Version (1901)

though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only should be delivered themselves.

Bible in Basic English

Even if these three men were in it, by my life, says the Lord, they would not keep safe their sons or daughters, but only themselves.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And these three men be in the midst thereof: as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they themselves alone shall be delivered.

Free Bible Version

As I live, declares the Lord God, even if these three men were present, they couldn't save their own sons or daughters. They would only save themselves.

King James (Authorized) Version

Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

Noah Webster Bible

Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

World English Bible

though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only would be delivered themselves.

Young's Literal Translation

and these three men in its midst: I live — an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah — they deliver not sons and daughters, for they alone are delivered.