Ezekiel 14:18
New International Version
as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.

New Living Translation
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, even if those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.

English Standard Version
though these three men were in it, as I live, declares the Lord GOD, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they alone would be delivered.

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.

King James 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.

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

New American Standard Bible
even though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “they could not save either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be saved.

NASB 1995
even though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be delivered.

NASB 1977
even though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be delivered.

Legacy Standard Bible
even though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares Lord Yahweh, “they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be delivered.

Amplified Bible
even though these three men were in the land, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they could not save either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be saved.

Christian Standard Bible
Even if these three men were in it, as I live”—the declaration of the Lord GOD—“they could not rescue their sons or daughters, but they alone would be rescued.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
even if these three men were in it, as I live"—the declaration of the Lord GOD—"they could not deliver their sons or daughters, but they alone would be delivered.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
If these three men were in that nation when I punished it, not even their children would be spared. Only the three men would live.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As I live, declares the Almighty LORD, not even Noah, Daniel, and Job could rescue their sons or daughters. They could rescue only themselves.

Good News Translation
and even if those three men lived there--as surely as I, the Sovereign LORD, am the living God--they would not be able to save even their children, but only their own lives.

International Standard Version
though these three men lived there, as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "they couldn't deliver their own sons and daughters. They would only save themselves.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
Even if these three men were in it, as surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, they could not save their own sons or daughters--they would save only their own lives.

New Heart English Bible
though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord GOD, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only should be delivered themselves.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and [despite] these three men in its midst—[as] I live,” a declaration of Lord YHWH, “they do not deliver sons and daughters, for they alone are delivered.

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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And these three men in its midst, I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall not deliver sons and daughters, for they alone shall be delivered.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and if these three men were in its midst, as I live, says the Lord God, they will deliver neither sons, nor daughters, but only they themselves will be delivered.

New American Bible
and these three were in it, as I live—oracle of the Lord GOD—they could save neither sons nor daughters; they alone would be saved.

New Revised Standard Version
though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord GOD, they would save neither sons nor daughters, but they alone would be saved.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Though these three men were in it, as I live, says the LORD God, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they alone would be delivered.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And these three men are in it, I am living, says THE LORD OF LORDS, that they shall save neither sons nor daughters, but they themselves shall be saved!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
though these three men were in the midst of it, as I live, saith the Lord, they shall not deliver sons or daughters, but they only shall be saved themselves.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Irrevocable Sentence
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. 19Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out My wrath upon it through bloodshed, cutting off from it both man and beast,…

Cross References
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!

Job 22:30
He will deliver even one who is not innocent, rescuing him through the cleanness of your hands.”

Psalm 106:23
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.

Exodus 32:11-14
But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? / Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” ...

Numbers 16:44-48
and the LORD said to Moses, / “Get away from this congregation so that I may consume them in an instant.” And Moses and Aaron fell facedown. / Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” ...

1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.

2 Kings 19:15-19
And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. / Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. / Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste these nations and their lands. ...

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Daniel 9:3-19
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. / And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances. ...

Amos 7:1-6
This is what the Lord GOD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts just after the king’s harvest, as the late spring crop was coming up. / And when the locusts had eaten every green plant in the land, I said, “Lord GOD, please forgive! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?” / So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said. ...

James 5:16
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.

1 Timothy 2:1
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Ezekiel 14:14
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.

Jump to Previous
Alone Daughters Declares Deliver Delivered Either Live Midst Save Sovereign Surely Themselves Three
Jump to Next
Alone Daughters Declares Deliver Delivered Either Live Midst Save Sovereign Surely 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














as surely as I live
This phrase is a solemn oath, underscoring the certainty and seriousness of God's declaration. In Hebrew, the phrase is "חי אני" (chai ani), which translates to "I live." This expression is often used by God in the Old Testament to affirm the truth of His words, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the absolute reliability of His promises and judgments.

declares the Lord GOD
The Hebrew for "Lord GOD" is "אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה" (Adonai Yahweh), a combination that highlights both the authority and the covenantal relationship of God with His people. "Adonai" signifies God's lordship and mastery, while "Yahweh" is His personal, covenant name, revealing His faithfulness and eternal presence. This declaration assures the reader of the divine origin and authority of the message.

even if these three men
The reference to "these three men" points back to the context of the chapter, where Noah, Daniel, and Job are mentioned as paragons of righteousness. These individuals are renowned for their faithfulness and integrity in the face of adversity. Their mention serves to illustrate the point that even the most righteous individuals cannot intercede for a sinful nation beyond God's determined judgment.

were in it
The phrase "were in it" refers to the presence of these righteous men within a city or nation facing divine judgment. The implication is that their presence alone would not be sufficient to avert God's wrath. This underscores the personal responsibility of each individual before God and the limits of intercessory righteousness.

they could not deliver
The Hebrew root for "deliver" is "נצל" (natsal), meaning to rescue or save. This highlights the theme of personal accountability and the insufficiency of relying solely on the righteousness of others for salvation. It emphasizes that each person must seek their own relationship with God and cannot depend on the merit of others for deliverance from judgment.

neither sons nor daughters
This phrase emphasizes the extent of the judgment and the principle of individual responsibility. In ancient Near Eastern culture, family ties were of utmost importance, and the well-being of one's children was a primary concern. The statement that even sons and daughters would not be delivered underscores the severity of the judgment and the necessity for each person to stand on their own before God.

They alone would be saved
The emphasis on "they alone" reiterates the personal nature of salvation. It reflects the biblical principle that righteousness and salvation are individual matters, not transferable or inheritable. This serves as a call to personal faith and repentance, highlighting the need for each person to seek God earnestly.

but the land would be desolate
The desolation of the land signifies the comprehensive nature of God's judgment. In the biblical context, the land often represents the blessings and promises of God to His people. Its desolation is a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. This serves as a sobering warning of the seriousness of turning away from God's ways and the inevitable result of such actions.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
then as surely
אָ֗נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

as I live,
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

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

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

GOD,
יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

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

three
וּשְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת (ū·šə·lō·šeṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

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

they could not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

deliver
יַצִּ֖ילוּ (yaṣ·ṣî·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

their sons
בָּנִ֣ים (bā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

or daughters;
וּבָנ֑וֹת (ū·ḇā·nō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1323: A daughter

they
הֵ֥ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

alone
לְבַדָּ֖ם (lə·ḇad·dām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

would be saved.
יִנָּצֵֽלוּ׃ (yin·nā·ṣê·lū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver


Links
Ezekiel 14:18 NIV
Ezekiel 14:18 NLT
Ezekiel 14:18 ESV
Ezekiel 14:18 NASB
Ezekiel 14:18 KJV

Ezekiel 14:18 BibleApps.com
Ezekiel 14:18 Biblia Paralela
Ezekiel 14:18 Chinese Bible
Ezekiel 14:18 French Bible
Ezekiel 14:18 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Ezekiel 14:18 Though these three men were in it (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 14:17
Top of Page
Top of Page