Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 4:14. It’s a really important and somewhat complex passage, so we'll go through it step-by-step. Here’s the basic idea: This verse is about God’s protection and holiness. It describes a situation where someone is experiencing something that could be harmful or corrupting – and God is actively intervening to keep them safe and pure. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Ezekiel 4:14” : This tells us who the verse is about – it's from a book called Ezekiel, written by the prophet Ezekiel. It’s a specific passage within the Bible. “Then said I…” : This is an opening statement from Ezekiel. He’s speaking to God. “…Ah Lord GOD!” : This is a crucial part – it's a declaration of respect and acknowledgment of God as the ultimate authority. It shows that Ezekiel recognizes God as the one who holds the truth. “behold, my soul hath not been polluted:” This means “I see/notice that my soul (or spirit) hasn’t been corrupted or tainted.” It's a statement of being in a good state. “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.” : This is the more challenging part! Let’s break it down further: “from my youth up…” : This means “all this time… even from when I was a young child.” It’s a long period of time. “…even till now have I not eaten…” : This is the core of the verse. Ezekiel is saying he hasn't ever consumed something that would harm or corrupt him. He’s never had an experience like this in his life. “…of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces” : This is a metaphorical phrase. "Dieth of itself" means that it doesn't need to be caused by anything external. It's inherent and self-destructive. “Is torn in pieces” implies something that’s broken apart – maybe through sin, temptation, or wrongdoing. “neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.” : This is the most significant part. "Abominable flesh" is a very strong word. It means something utterly repulsive, disgusting, and morally wrong. It suggests that Ezekiel has experienced a profound and terrible temptation or evil influence. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: The verse essentially speaks about God’s perfect protection. God has been watching over Ezekiel throughout his entire life and hasn't allowed himself to be tempted by anything harmful. It emphasizes God’s unwavering holiness, faithfulness, and sovereignty – that He is in complete control of everything. It's a statement of God’s absolute protection from corruption. Important Note: This passage is complex and has been interpreted differently throughout history. Some scholars see it as a description of Ezekiel’s life, while others interpret it as a symbolic representation of God’s enduring presence in the world. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Discuss the context of the passage within the larger story of Ezekiel? Explore what this verse might be saying about temptation and sin?