King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 18:15 Mean?

Ezekiel 18:15 in the King James Version says “That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not de...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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,”

Ezekiel 18:15 · KJV

Context

13

Hath 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. blood: Heb. bloods

14

Now, 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,

16

Neither 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, hath not: Heb. hath not pledged the pledge, or, taken to pledge

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.

Read Ezekiel 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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, This verse appears within Ezekiel's powerful discourse on individual moral responsibility, listing characteristics of a righteous person. The phrase "eaten upon the mountains" (el-heharim lo akhal, אֶל־הֶהָרִים לֹא אָכָל) refers to participating in idolatrous feasts at high places, where Israelites worshiped false gods and consumed sacrificial meals in pagan rituals.

"Lifted up his eyes to the idols" uses the Hebrew nasa einayv (נָשָׂא עֵינָיו), meaning to regard with desire, reverence, or devotion. This phrase condemns not merely external worship but internal affection and trust directed toward false gods. The specification "idols of the house of Israel" (gillulei beit-Yisrael, גִּלּוּלֵי בֵית־יִשְׂרָאֵל) emphasizes covenant unfaithfulness—these were fellow Israelites who should have known better, yet embraced idolatry.

The third element, not defiling a neighbor's wife, addresses sexual purity using tame (טָמֵא, "defiled"), emphasizing ritual and moral defilement. Together, these prohibitions address the two tables of the Law: vertical relationship with God (no idolatry) and horizontal relationships with neighbors (no adultery). Ezekiel establishes that righteousness involves both proper worship and ethical conduct—authentic faith produces holy living.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (593-571 BC) to Jewish captives living in Mesopotamia. The exiles struggled with a theological crisis: why had God's people suffered such catastrophic judgment? Many blamed their fathers' sins or questioned God's justice. Chapter 18 directly addresses this crisis by emphasizing personal accountability.

The 'high places' (bamot) were elevated worship sites throughout Israel and Judah where syncretistic worship flourished. Although originally used for Yahweh worship, these locations became centers of Canaanite fertility cult practices, including ritual meals, sacred prostitution, and child sacrifice. Kings like Hezekiah and Josiah repeatedly attempted to eliminate these sites (2 Kings 18:4; 23:8), but they persistently resurfaced.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous high places with stone altars, standing stones (masseboth), and Asherah poles. Idolatry remained Israel's besetting sin throughout the monarchy period, contributing directly to both Israel's fall to Assyria (722 BC) and Judah's exile to Babylon (586 BC). Ezekiel's emphasis on avoiding these practices challenged exiles to embrace covenant faithfulness in their new context.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge contemporary forms of idolatry that may not involve physical images but still compete for our heart's devotion?
  2. What is the relationship between worship practices (eating upon mountains, lifting eyes to idols) and ethical behavior (not defiling a neighbor's wife)?
  3. How does Ezekiel's emphasis on personal righteousness inform our understanding of individual accountability before God?
  4. In what ways might believers today 'eat upon the mountains' by participating in cultural practices that compromise biblical faithfulness?
  5. How does this standard of righteousness drive us to Christ, who alone perfectly fulfilled these requirements and imputes His righteousness to believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
עַל1 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הֶֽהָרִים֙2 of 16

“upon the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

לֹ֣א3 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָכָ֔ל4 of 16

“That hath not eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְעֵינָיו֙5 of 16

“his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לֹ֣א6 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נָשָׂ֔א7 of 16

“neither hath lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶל8 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּלּוּלֵ֖י9 of 16

“to the idols”

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

בֵּ֣ית10 of 16

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל11 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶת12 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֵ֥שֶׁת13 of 16

“wife”

H802

a woman

רֵעֵ֖הוּ14 of 16

“his neighbour's”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

לֹ֥א15 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

טִמֵּֽא׃16 of 16

“hath not defiled”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 18:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 18:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 18:6-7Ezekiel 18:11-13

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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