Ezekiel 18

King James Version

Full text for Ezekiel Chapter 18

1¶ The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,

2What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

3[As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have [occasion] any more to use this proverb in Israel.

4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

5But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,

6[And] hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

7And hath not oppressed any, [but] hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

8He [that] hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, [that] hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,

9Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he [is] just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

10¶ If he beget a son [that is] a robber, a shedder of blood, and [that] doeth the like to [any] one of these [things],

11And that doeth not any of those [duties], but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,

12Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,

13Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

14Now, lo, [if] he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,

15[That] hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,

16Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, [but] hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

17[That] hath taken off his hand from the poor, [that] hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

18[As for] his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did [that] which [is] not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.

19Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, [and] hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.

20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

21¶ But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

22All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?

24But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

25Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

26When a righteous [man] turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

27Again, when the wicked [man] turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

28Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

29Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

30¶ Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn [yourselves] from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

31Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn [yourselves], and live ye.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Ezekiel 18 refutes the proverb that children suffer for their fathers' sins, asserting God's principle of individual accountability. It declares that "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," emphasizing that each person is judged by their own righteousness or wickedness. The chapter also highlights God's desire for repentance, stating that the wicked can turn and live, and the righteous who turn to sin will die for their transgressions.

Medium Summary

The Lord addresses the proverb "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge," declaring it will no longer be used in Israel. God asserts that all souls belong to Him and that individual responsibility is paramount: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." The chapter illustrates this principle through three scenarios: a righteous man who lives, a wicked son of a righteous father who dies for his own sins, and a righteous son of a wicked father who lives for his own obedience. God explicitly states that a son will not bear the iniquity of his father, nor a father the iniquity of his son. Furthermore, the Lord proclaims His desire for the wicked to repent and live, rather than die in their sins, and warns that a righteous person who turns to wickedness will perish. The chapter concludes with a call for Israel to repent, make new hearts, and live, emphasizing God's lack of pleasure in death.

Long Summary

Ezekiel 18 opens with the Lord challenging the common proverb in Israel, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge," declaring its cessation. God firmly establishes the principle of individual accountability, stating, "As I live... ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel." He asserts that all souls are His, and "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," directly refuting the idea of inherited guilt or punishment. The chapter then provides detailed examples to illustrate this divine judgment. A righteous man, defined by his adherence to God's statutes, avoidance of idolatry, adultery, oppression, and usury, and his practice of justice and charity, "shall surely live." Conversely, if this righteous man begets a wicked son who commits abominations, that son "shall surely die" for his own transgressions. However, if a wicked father begets a righteous son who observes his father's sins but chooses to walk in God's ways, that son "shall not die for the iniquity of his father; he shall surely live." The father, in turn, will die for his own wickedness. The Lord reiterates that "The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son," affirming that each person's destiny is determined by their own actions. A pivotal aspect of this chapter is God's offer of mercy: if the wicked turn from their sins and keep His statutes, they "shall surely live," for God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Conversely, if a righteous person turns from righteousness to commit iniquity, all their former righteousness will be forgotten, and they "shall die" in their sin. God refutes the accusation that His ways are unequal, asserting the justice and equity of His judgments. The chapter concludes with a fervent call to the house of Israel to repent, cast away their transgressions, and make themselves a new heart and a new spirit, urging them to choose life, as God desires not their death.

Core Concepts

  • Individual AccountabilityGod explicitly rejects the proverb of inherited guilt, declaring that each person is responsible for their own sins and righteousness. The core principle is that "The soul that sinneth, it shall die."
  • Divine JusticeThe Lord asserts the fairness and equality of His judgments, stating that He judges each person according to their own ways, not based on their ancestors' deeds. He refutes the notion that His way is unequal, affirming the equity of His judgments.
  • Repentance and LifeThe chapter emphasizes God's desire for the wicked to turn from their sins and live, promising that all past transgressions will be forgiven if true repentance occurs. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires their return and life.
  • Consequences of ApostasyIt warns that a righteous person who turns away from their righteousness and commits sin will die for their new iniquity. Their former good deeds will not be remembered in the face of their present transgression.
  • New Heart and SpiritIsrael is called to cast away their transgressions and make themselves a "new heart and a new spirit." This signifies an internal transformation and renewal necessary for spiritual life.
  • God's Desire for LifeA recurring theme is God's declaration that He takes "no pleasure in the death of him that dieth." Instead, He urges people to turn from their ways and live, demonstrating His merciful nature.