King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 18:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 18:19 in the King James Version says “Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Yet 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.

Ezekiel 18:19 · KJV


Context

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.

19

Yet 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.

20

The 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Yet 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.' The people's objection shows they still cling to corporate guilt. God's answer: righteous actions bring life. The son who practices righteousness lives, regardless of his father's wickedness. This establishes clear moral causality based on personal choices.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exiles struggled to understand why they suffered if they personally hadn't committed their ancestors' sins. Ezekiel clarifies: they suffered national consequences of corporate sin, but individual eternal destiny depends on personal faithfulness. This prepares for New Covenant individualized salvation through personal faith in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we distinguish between corporate consequences we experience and individual guilt we bear?
  2. What does this teach about the relationship between community and individual in God's economy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם1 of 19

Yet say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַדֻּ֛עַ2 of 19
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

לֹא3 of 19
H3808

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

נָשָׂ֥א4 of 19

bear

H5375

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

וְהַבֵּ֞ן5 of 19

When the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בַּעֲוֺ֣ן6 of 19

the iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

הָאָ֑ב7 of 19

of the father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְהַבֵּ֞ן8 of 19

When the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מִשְׁפָּ֧ט9 of 19

that which is lawful

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וּצְדָקָ֣ה10 of 19

and right

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

וַיַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה11 of 19

and hath done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֵ֣ת12 of 19
H853

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

כָּל13 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֻקּוֹתַ֥י14 of 19

all my statutes

H2708

a statute

שָׁמַ֛ר15 of 19

and hath kept

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

וַיַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה16 of 19

and hath done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֹתָ֖ם17 of 19
H853

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

יִחְיֶֽה׃18 of 19

live

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

יִחְיֶֽה׃19 of 19

live

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive


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 18:19 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 18:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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