Ezekiel 14:4 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols."

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament and is attributed to the prophet Ezekiel who lived during the Babylonian exile. The overall theme of the book of Ezekiel is the sovereignty of God, the judgment of Israel, and the eventual restoration of God's people. In this particular verse, Ezekiel is speaking on behalf of the Lord, admonishing the people of Israel for their idolatry and warning of the consequences of their actions.

The verse begins with the Lord instructing Ezekiel to speak to the people of Israel on His behalf. This is significant as it shows Ezekiel's role as a prophet or messenger of God. The Lord specifically addresses "every man of the house of Israel," making it clear that His message is for all of His people, not just a select few. This demonstrates God's desire for repentance and restoration for all of His people.

The verse then goes on to address the issue of idolatry. The Lord condemns those who "set up idols in their hearts" and "put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face." This imagery indicates that the idolatry of the Israelites is not just a physical act, but it is rooted in their hearts and minds. The mention of a stumbling block suggests that their idolatry is causing them to fall into sin and disobedience.

The consequences of their idolatry are then made clear as the Lord declares, "I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols." This indicates that their idolatry will lead to God's judgment and that He will respond to them based on the abundance of their idols. In other words, the more they turn to idols and away from God, the more severe His response will be.

The symbolism of idols in this verse represents anything that the people of Israel were putting before God. It could be physical idols such as statues or objects of worship, or it could be other things that they held in higher regard than God, such as wealth, power, or individual desires. The mention of idols being set up in their hearts also signifies that idolatry is not just an outward action, but a matter of the heart and the innermost thoughts and desires.

The context of this verse is important to understand its significance. During Ezekiel's time, the people of Israel had turned away from God and were practicing idolatry, despite being warned by previous prophets. The Lord, through Ezekiel, is calling the people to repentance and warning them of the consequences of their actions. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's intolerance of idolatry and His desire for His people to turn back to Him.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 14:4 in the King James Version of the Bible addresses the issue of idolatry among the people of Israel and the consequences of their actions. It serves as a warning from the Lord through His prophet Ezekiel, urging His people to turn away from idolatry and return to Him. The verse carries a powerful message about the sovereignty of God, the importance of true worship, and the need for repentance and obedience. It serves as a timeless reminder for believers to examine their own hearts and priorities, ensuring that God remains the central focus of their lives.