Ezekiel 14:14
New International Version
even if these three men—Noah, Daniel and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign LORD.

New Living Translation
Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign LORD.

English Standard Version
even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord GOD.

Berean Standard Bible
then even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD.

King James Bible
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

New King James Version
Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord GOD.

New American Standard Bible
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only save themselves,” declares the Lord GOD.

NASB 1995
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares the Lord GOD.

NASB 1977
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares the Lord GOD.

Legacy Standard Bible
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares Lord Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in that land, by their own righteousness (right standing with God) they could only save (deliver) themselves,” says the Lord GOD.

Christian Standard Bible
Even if these three men —Noah, Daniel, and Job —were in it, they would rescue only themselves by their righteousness.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.”

American Standard Version
though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were living in that nation, their faithfulness would not save anyone but themselves.

English Revised Version
though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Even if these three men-Noah, Daniel, and Job-were in that country, they would, by their righteousness, rescue only themselves," declares the Almighty LORD.

Good News Translation
Even if those three men, Noah, Danel, and Job, were living there, their goodness would save only their own lives." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.

International Standard Version
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job lived in that land, they would only save their own lives on account of their righteousness," declares the Lord GOD.

Majority Standard Bible
then even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD.

NET Bible
Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would save only their own lives by their righteousness, declares the sovereign LORD.

New Heart English Bible
though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, says the Lord GOD."

Webster's Bible Translation
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver their own souls only by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

World English Bible
though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only their own souls by their righteousness,” says the Lord Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and [despite] these three men [that] have been in its midst: Noah, Daniel, and Job—they [only] deliver their own soul by their righteousness,” a declaration of Lord YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
and these three men have been in its midst, Noah, Daniel, and Job -- they by their righteousness deliver their own soul -- an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And were these three men in its midst, Noah, Daniel, and Job, they by their justice shall deliver their souls, says the Lord Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if these three men, Noe, Daniel, and Job, shall be in it: they shall deliver their own souls by their justice, saith the Lord of hosts.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver their own souls by their justice, says the Lord of hosts.

New American Bible
even if these three were in it, Noah, Daniel, and Job, they could only save themselves by their righteousness—oracle of the Lord GOD.

New Revised Standard Version
even if Noah, Daniel, and Job, these three, were in it, they would save only their own lives by their righteousness, says the Lord GOD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in the land, they would deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, says the LORD God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if these three men, Noah and Daniel and Job, would be in her, they would save themselves by their righteousness, says THE LORD OF LORDS
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And though these three men should be in the midst of it, Noe, and Daniel, and Job, they alone should be delivered by their righteousness, saith the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Irrevocable Sentence
13“Son of man, if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully, and I stretch out My hand against it to cut off its supply of food, to send famine upon it, and to cut off from it both man and beast, 14then even if these three men— Noah, Daniel, and Job— were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD. 15Or if I send wild beasts through the land to leave it childless and desolate, with no man passing through it for fear of the beasts,…

Cross References
James 5:16-18
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. / Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

2 Peter 2:5
if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;

Genesis 6:9
This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.

Job 1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

Daniel 9:23
At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision:

Genesis 18:23-32
Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? / What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? / Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” ...

Jeremiah 15:1
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!

1 Peter 3:20
who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.

Genesis 7:1
Then the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

Job 42:8
So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.”

Daniel 6:22
My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

Genesis 19:29
So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that destroyed the cities where he had lived.

2 Peter 2:7-8
and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless / (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

Genesis 19:16
But when Lot hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters. And they led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them.


Treasury of Scripture

Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, said the Lord GOD.

these

Ezekiel 14:16,18,20
Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate…

Noah

Genesis 6:8
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 7:1
And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 8:20,21
And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar…

Daniel

Ezekiel 28:3
Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

Daniel 9:21
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

Daniel 10:11
And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

deliver

Ezekiel 14:20
Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

Proverbs 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

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Affirmation Daniel Declares Deliver Job Midst Noah Righteousness Save Soul Souls Themselves Three
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Affirmation Daniel Declares Deliver Job Midst Noah Righteousness Save Soul Souls Themselves Three
Ezekiel 14
1. God answers idolaters according to their own heart
6. They are exhorted to repent, for fear of judgments, by means of seduced prophets
12. God's irrevocable sentence of famine
15. of wild beasts
17. of the sword
19. and of pestilence
22. A remnant shall be reserved for example of others














even if these three men
This phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario involving three exemplary figures from the Hebrew Scriptures. The use of "even if" suggests a situation of extreme improbability, emphasizing the severity of the judgment God is pronouncing. The mention of "three men" serves to underscore the idea of individual righteousness and its limitations in the face of communal sin.

Noah
Noah is a pivotal figure in Genesis, known for his righteousness in a corrupt world. In Hebrew, his name (נֹחַ, Noach) is associated with rest and comfort. Noah's account is one of divine judgment and salvation, as he and his family were spared from the flood due to his faithfulness. His inclusion here highlights the theme of personal righteousness amidst widespread wickedness.

Daniel
Daniel, known for his unwavering faith and integrity, is a central figure in the Book of Daniel. His name (דָּנִיֵּאל, Daniyyel) means "God is my judge," reflecting his life of devotion and trust in God despite living in exile. Daniel's presence in this verse underscores the power of steadfast faith and moral courage in a foreign and hostile environment.

and Job
Job is renowned for his patience and endurance through immense suffering. His name (אִיּוֹב, Iyov) is often associated with the idea of returning or repenting. The Book of Job explores themes of suffering, divine justice, and faith. Job's inclusion in this verse serves as a testament to the strength of character and faithfulness in the face of inexplicable trials.

were in it
This phrase situates these three men within the context of the impending judgment on Jerusalem. The hypothetical presence of such righteous individuals in the city underscores the gravity of the situation and the inevitability of divine judgment due to the people's collective sin.

they could deliver only themselves
The emphasis here is on the personal nature of righteousness. Despite their exemplary lives, Noah, Daniel, and Job could not save others by their righteousness. This highlights the biblical principle that each person is accountable for their own relationship with God and cannot rely on the righteousness of others for salvation.

by their righteousness
Righteousness (צְדָקָה, tzedakah) in the Hebrew context involves living in accordance with God's laws and maintaining a faithful relationship with Him. The verse underscores that it is this personal righteousness that determines one's deliverance, not familial or communal ties.

declares the Lord GOD
This phrase affirms the authority and sovereignty of God in making this declaration. The use of "Lord GOD" (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, Adonai Yahweh) emphasizes His ultimate authority and the certainty of His words. It serves as a reminder of God's just nature and His right to judge His creation.

(14) Noah, Daniel, and Job.--These three are selected, doubtless, not only as examples of eminent holiness themselves, but as men who had been allowed to be the means of saving others. For Noah's sake his whole family had been spared (Genesis 6:18); Daniel was the means of saving his companions (Daniel 2:17-18); and Job's friends had been spared in consequence of his intercession (Job 42:7-8). Moses and Samuel might seem still more remarkable instances of the value of intercessory prayer; but these had already been cited by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:1). The mention of Daniel, a contemporary of Ezekiel, with the ancient patriarchs, Noah and Job, need occasion no surprise. The distance in time between Noah and Job was greater than between Job and Daniel, and it has been well said that there was need of the mention of a contemporary to bring out the thought--were there in Jerusalem the most holy men of either past or present times it would avail nothing. It is also to be remembered that Daniel was separated from Ezekiel by circumstances which created a distance between them corresponding to that which separated him in time from the patriarchs. Ezekiel was a captive among the captives; Daniel had now been for about twelve years in important office at the royal court, and possessed of the very highest rank. There is, therefore, no occasion for the strange supposition that the reference is to some older Daniel, of such eminence as to be spoken of in the way he is here and in Ezekiel 28:3, and yet whose name has otherwise completely faded out from history. But besides all this, there was an especial propriety, and even necessity for the purpose in hand, that Daniel should be mentioned. He was not only in high office, but was the trusted counsellor of Nebuchadnezzar by whom Jerusalem was to be destroyed. He was also a very holy man, and a most patriotic Israelite. The Jews, therefore, might well have thought that his influence would avail to avert the threatened calamity, and by placing his name in the list. their last hope was to be dashed as it could be by nothing else.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
then even if these
הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

three
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

men—
הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

Noah,
נֹ֖חַ (nō·aḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5146: Noah -- 'rest', patriarch who survived the flood

Daniel,
דָּנִיֵּ֣אל‪‬ (dā·nî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1840: Daniel -- 'God is my judge', the name of several Israelites

and Job—
וְאִיּ֑וֹב (wə·’î·yō·wḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 347: Job -- a patriarch

were
וְ֠הָיוּ (wə·hā·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in it,
בְּתוֹכָ֔הּ (bə·ṯō·w·ḵāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

their righteousness
בְצִדְקָתָם֙ (ḇə·ṣiḏ·qā·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

could deliver
יְנַצְּל֣וּ (yə·naṣ·ṣə·lū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

only themselves,
נַפְשָׁ֔ם (nap̄·šām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

declares
נְאֻ֖ם (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֥י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD.
יְהוִֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 14:14 Though these three men Noah Daniel (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 14:13
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