Ezekiel 4:14
New International Version
Then I said, “Not so, Sovereign LORD! I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals. No impure meat has ever entered my mouth.”

New Living Translation
Then I said, “O Sovereign LORD, must I be defiled by using human dung? For I have never been defiled before. From the time I was a child until now I have never eaten any animal that died of sickness or was killed by other animals. I have never eaten any meat forbidden by the law.”

English Standard Version
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I have never defiled myself. From my youth up till now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has tainted meat come into my mouth.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”

King James Bible
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

New King James Version
So I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Indeed I have never defiled myself from my youth till now; I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has abominable flesh ever come into my mouth.”

New American Standard Bible
But I said, “Oh, Lord GOD! Behold, I have never been defiled; for from my youth until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by animals, nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth!”

NASB 1995
But I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I have never been defiled; for from my youth until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth.”

NASB 1977
But I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I have never been defiled; for from my youth until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I have never been defiled; for from my youth until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has any offensive meat ever entered my mouth.”

Amplified Bible
But I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold (hear me), I have never been defiled; for from my youth until now I have never eaten what died on its own or was torn by beasts, nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth.”

Christian Standard Bible
But I said, “Oh, Lord GOD, I have never been defiled. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything that died naturally or was mauled by wild beasts. And impure meat has never entered my mouth.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But I said, “Oh, Lord GOD, I have never been defiled. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything that died naturally or was mauled by wild beasts. And impure meat has never entered my mouth.”

American Standard Version
Then said I, Ah Lord Jehovah! behold, my soul hath not been polluted; for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn of beasts; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

Contemporary English Version
I said, "LORD God, please don't make me do that! Never in my life have I eaten food that would make me unacceptable to you. I've never eaten anything that died a natural death or was killed by a wild animal or that you said was unclean."

English Revised Version
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn of beasts; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I answered, "Almighty LORD, I have never dishonored myself. From the time I was young until now, I have never eaten an animal that died by itself or was killed by other wild animals. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth."

Good News Translation
But I replied, "No, Sovereign LORD! I have never defiled myself. From childhood on I have never eaten meat from any animal that died a natural death or was killed by wild animals. I have never eaten any food considered unclean."

International Standard Version
"Now, Lord GOD," I replied, "I've never been defiled, ever since I was young until now. I haven't eaten an animal that died on its own or was torn by beasts, and no unclean meat has ever entered my mouth!"

Majority Standard Bible
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”

NET Bible
And I said, "Ah, sovereign LORD, I have never been ceremonially defiled before. I have never eaten a carcass or an animal torn by wild beasts; from my youth up, unclean meat has never entered my mouth."

New Heart English Bible
Then I said, "Ah Lord GOD. Look, my soul has not been polluted; for from my youth up even until now have I not eaten of that which dies of itself, or is torn of animals; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither hath abominable flesh come into my mouth.

World English Bible
Then I said, “Ah Lord Yahweh! Behold, my soul has not been polluted; for from my youth up even until now I have not eaten of that which dies of itself, or is torn of animals. No abominable meat has come into my mouth!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I say, “Aah! Lord YHWH, behold, my soul is not defiled, and carcass, and torn thing, I have not eaten from my youth, even until now; nor has abominable flesh come into my mouth.”

Young's Literal Translation
And I say, 'Ah, Lord Jehovah, lo, my soul is not defiled, and carcase, and torn thing, I have not eaten from my youth, even till now; nor come into my mouth hath abominable flesh.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And saying, Ah, Lord Jehovah behold, my soul not being defiled: and a carcass and the torn in pieces I ate not from my youth and even till now; there came not flesh of uncleanness into my mouth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I said: Ah, ah, ah, O Lord God, behold my soul hath not been defiled, and from my infancy even till now, I have not eaten any thing that died of itself, or was torn by beasts, and no unclean flesh hath entered into my mouth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I said: “Alas, alas, alas, O Lord God! Behold, my soul has not been polluted, and from my infancy even until now, I have not eaten anything that has died of itself, nor that which has been torn up by beasts, and no unclean flesh at all has entered into my mouth.”

New American Bible
“Oh no, Lord GOD,” I protested. “Never have I defiled myself nor have I eaten carrion flesh or flesh torn by wild beasts, nor from my youth till now has any unclean meat entered my mouth.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then I said, “Ah Lord GOD! I have never defiled myself; from my youth up until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by animals, nor has carrion flesh come into my mouth.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then said I, Ah LORD God! behold, I have never defiled myself; and from my youth up even till now I have not eaten of that which dies of itself or is torn in pieces by wild beasts; neither has unclean meat entered into my mouth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I said: “God, LORD OF LORDS, my soul has not been defiled, or what is sick and that which was torn by an animal I have not eaten from my youth even until today, and defiled meat has not entered my mouth”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said I: 'Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted; for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn of beasts; neither came there abhorred flesh into my mouth.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then I said, Not so, Lord God of Israel: surely my soul has not been defiled with uncleanness; nor have I eaten, that which died of itself or was torn of beasts from my birth until now; neither has any corrupt flesh entered into my mouth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Defiled Bread
13Then the LORD said, “This is how the Israelites will eat their defiled bread among the nations to which I will banish them.” 14“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.” 15“Look,” He replied, “I will let you use cow dung instead of human excrement, and you may bake your bread over that.”…

Cross References
Acts 10:14
“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

Daniel 1:8
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.

Leviticus 11:44-47
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. / For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. / This is the law regarding animals, birds, all living creatures that move in the water, and all creatures that crawl along the ground. ...

Deuteronomy 14:3-21
You must not eat any detestable thing. / These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat, / the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. ...

Acts 11:8
‘No, Lord,’ I said, ‘for nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

Isaiah 52:11
Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.

Leviticus 20:25-26
You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you. / You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.

1 Corinthians 8:7-13
But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. / But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. / Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. ...

Romans 14:14
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Leviticus 7:21
If one touches anything unclean, whether human uncleanness, an unclean animal, or any unclean, detestable thing, and then eats any of the meat of the peace offering that belongs to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people.”

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Leviticus 17:15
And any person, whether native or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean.

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Mark 7:18-23
“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) / He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul has not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dies of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

Ah

Ezekiel 9:8
And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?

Ezekiel 20:49
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

Jeremiah 1:6
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

my soul

Acts 10:14
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

have I

Exodus 22:31
And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.

Leviticus 11:39,40
And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even…

Leviticus 17:15
And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.

abominable

Leviticus 19:7
And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.

Deuteronomy 14:3
Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.

Isaiah 65:4
Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

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Abhorred Abominable Ah Animals Beasts Dies Dieth Eaten Flesh Itself Mouth Pieces Polluted Soul Torn Youth
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Abhorred Abominable Ah Animals Beasts Dies Dieth Eaten Flesh Itself Mouth Pieces Polluted Soul Torn Youth
Ezekiel 4
1. Under type of a siege is shown the time from the defection of Jeroboam to captivity
9. By the provision of the siege, is shown the hardness of the famine














Not so, Lord GOD!
This phrase reflects Ezekiel's immediate and emphatic response to God's command. The Hebrew word for "Lord GOD" here is "Adonai Yahweh," emphasizing God's sovereign authority. Ezekiel's use of "Not so" indicates a deep reverence and a plea for exemption based on his past faithfulness. This highlights the prophet's personal integrity and his commitment to the laws of purity, which were central to Jewish identity and religious practice.

I have never defiled myself
The concept of defilement in Hebrew culture was closely tied to ritual purity, which was essential for maintaining a relationship with God. The Hebrew word for "defiled" is "ṭāmē," which means to be unclean or impure. Ezekiel's assertion underscores his lifelong dedication to living according to the purity laws outlined in the Torah, reflecting a heart committed to holiness and obedience.

From my youth until now
This phrase indicates a lifelong commitment to God's commandments. It suggests that Ezekiel's adherence to the dietary laws was not a recent development but a consistent practice from his earliest days. This lifelong dedication serves as a model of faithfulness and integrity, emphasizing the importance of steadfastness in one's spiritual journey.

I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals
The dietary laws in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 prohibited the consumption of animals that died naturally or were torn by wild beasts. Such animals were considered unclean, and eating them would result in ritual impurity. Ezekiel's adherence to these laws demonstrates his commitment to maintaining ritual purity, which was vital for a prophet who served as a mediator between God and His people.

nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth
This statement reinforces Ezekiel's strict observance of dietary laws. The term "unclean" refers to anything that was not permissible according to the Mosaic Law. By stating that no unclean meat had ever entered his mouth, Ezekiel emphasizes his dedication to God's commandments and his desire to remain pure in both body and spirit. This commitment to purity is a testament to his role as a prophet and his deep relationship with God.

Verse 14. - Then said I, Ah, Lord God! etc. The formula is, curiously enough, equally characteristic of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 9:8; Ezekiel 11:13; Ezekiel 20:49) and of his teacher and contemporary (Jeremiah 1:6; Jeremiah 4:10; Jeremiah 14:13; Jeremiah 32:17). The Vulgate represents it by A, a, a. His plea, which reminds us at once of Daniel 1:8 and Acts 10:14, is that he has kept himself free from all ceremonial pollution connected with food. And is he, a priest too, to do this? That be far from him! Anything but that! The kinds of defilement of which he speaks are noted in Exodus 22:31; Leviticus 7:24; Leviticus 11:39, 40; Leviticus 17:15. The "abominable things" may refer either to the unclean meats catalogued in Deuteronomy 14:3-21 (as e.g. in Isaiah 65:4), or as in the controversy of the apostolic age (Acts 15; 1 Corinthians 8:1; Revelation 2:20), to eating any flesh that had been offered in sacrifice to idols. The prophet's passionate appeal is characteristic of the extent to which his character had been influenced by the newly discovered Law of the Lord (2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34.), i.e. probably by the Book of Deuteronomy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Ah,
אֲהָהּ֙ (’ă·hāh)
Interjection
Strong's 162: Alas!

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

I said,
וָאֹמַ֗ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I
נַפְשִׁ֖י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

have never
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

defiled myself.
מְטֻמָּאָ֑ה (mə·ṭum·mā·’āh)
Verb - Pual - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

From my youth
מִנְּעוּרַ֣י (min·nə·‘ū·ray)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5271: Youth, the state, the persons

until
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

now
עַ֔תָּה (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

I have not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

eaten
אָכַ֙לְתִּי֙ (’ā·ḵal·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 398: To eat

anything found dead
וּנְבֵלָ֨ה (ū·nə·ḇê·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5038: A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol

or mauled by wild beasts.
וּטְרֵפָ֤ה (ū·ṭə·rê·p̄āh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2966: Prey, flocks devoured by animals

No
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

unclean
פִּגּֽוּל׃ (pig·gūl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6292: Foul thing, refuse

meat
בְּשַׂ֥ר (bə·śar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

has ever entered
בָ֥א (ḇā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

my mouth.”
בְּפִ֖י (bə·p̄î)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 4:14 Then said I Ah Lord Yahweh! (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 4:13
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