King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 18:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 18:6 in the King James Version says “And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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,

Ezekiel 18:6 · KJV


Context

4

Behold, 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.

5

But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, that: Heb. judgment and justice

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,

7

And 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;

8

He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel.' The righteous person avoids idolatrous worship. 'Eaten upon the mountains' refers to participating in sacrificial meals at high places—pagan worship sites. 'Lifted up his eyes to idols' indicates devotion or worship. The phrase also mentions sexual purity: 'neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman'—respecting God's sexual boundaries and ceremonial law.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

High places were Canaanite worship sites where Israelites syncretistically worshiped Yahweh alongside Baal and Asherah. Archaeological excavations confirm widespread high place worship in pre-exilic Israel. Sexual purity laws (Leviticus 18, 20) distinguished Israel from surrounding fertility cults where ritual prostitution was common.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are modern 'high places'—respectable settings where we compromise spiritual faithfulness?
  2. How does our culture's sexual ethic contradict the biblical standard outlined here?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
אֶל1 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶֽהָרִים֙2 of 21

upon the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

לֹ֣א3 of 21
H3808

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

אָכָ֔ל4 of 21

And hath not eaten

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְעֵינָיו֙5 of 21

his eyes

H5869

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

לֹ֣א6 of 21
H3808

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

נָשָׂ֔א7 of 21

neither hath lifted up

H5375

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

אֶל8 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּלּוּלֵ֖י9 of 21

to the idols

H1544

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

בֵּ֣ית10 of 21

of the house

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל11 of 21

of Israel

H3478

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

וְאֶת12 of 21
H853

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

אִשָּׁ֥ה13 of 21

wife

H802

a woman

רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙14 of 21

his neighbour's

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

לֹ֣א15 of 21
H3808

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

טִמֵּ֔א16 of 21

neither hath defiled

H2930

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

וְאֶל17 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִשָּׁ֥ה18 of 21

wife

H802

a woman

נִדָּ֖ה19 of 21

to a menstruous

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

לֹ֥א20 of 21
H3808

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

יִקְרָֽב׃21 of 21

neither hath come near

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose


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 18:6 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 18:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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