CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/18-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/26_Ezk_18_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 18:4 - A Proverb about Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/18-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/18-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm" title="Ezekiel 18:3">◄</a> Ezekiel 18:4 <a href="/ezekiel/18-5.htm" title="Ezekiel 18:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Behold (pay close attention), all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look, every life belongs to me. The life of the father is like the life of the son—both belong to me. The person who sins is the one who will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look, every life belongs to Me. The life of the father is like the life of the son—both belong to Me. The person who sins is the one who will die.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The lives of all people belong to me--parents as well as children. However, only those who sin will be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The life of every person belongs to me. Fathers and their children belong to me. The person who sins will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The life of every person belongs to me, the life of the parent as well as that of the child. The person who sins is the one who will die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Look! Every living soul belongs to me—the father's as well as the son's. So pay attention! The person who keeps on sinning is going to die."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Indeed! All lives are mine--the life of the father as well as the life of the son is mine. The one who sins will die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins, he shall die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine. The soul who sins, he shall die. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, all the souls are Mine, "" As the soul of the father, "" So also the soul of the son—they are Mine, "" The soul that is sinning—it dies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, all the souls are Mine, As the soul of the father, So also the soul of the son -- they are Mine, The soul that is sinning -- it doth die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, all souls to me; behold, as the soul of the father, and so the soul of the son, they are to me. The soul sinning, it shall die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Behold all souls are mine: as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, the same shall die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Behold, all souls are mine. Just as the soul of the father is mine, so also is the soul of the son. The soul that sins, the same shall die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For all life is mine: the life of the parent is like the life of the child, both are mine. Only the one who sins shall die!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Because all souls are mine; the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine; the soul that sins, it shall die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because all souls are mine. The soul of the father and the soul of the son, they are mine! The soul that sins, that shall die!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son, they are mine: the soul that sins, it shall die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=4502" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/18.htm">A Proverb about Israel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">Behold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: han·nə·p̄ā·šō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">soul</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">belongs to Me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2007.htm" title="2007: hên·nāh (Pro-3fp) -- They. Prolongation for hen; themselves."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: kə·ne·p̄eš (Prep-k:: N-fsc) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: hā·’āḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">both father</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ū·ḵə·ne·p̄eš (Conj-w, Prep-k:: N-fsc) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: hab·bên (Art:: N-ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/2007.htm" title="2007: hên·nāh (Pro-3fp) -- They. Prolongation for hen; themselves.">are</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî- (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">Mine.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: han·ne·p̄eš (Art:: N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">The soul</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ha·ḥō·ṭêṯ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">who sins</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">is the one who</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ṯā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">will die.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right:…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a></span><br />For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-16.htm">Deuteronomy 24:16</a></span><br />Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-30.htm">Jeremiah 31:30</a></span><br />Instead, each will die for his own iniquity. If anyone eats the sour grapes, his own teeth will be set on edge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/14-6.htm">2 Kings 14:6</a></span><br />Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-15.htm">James 1:15</a></span><br />Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Proverbs 24:12</a></span><br />If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-27.htm">Matthew 16:27</a></span><br />For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/20-12.htm">Revelation 20:12-13</a></span><br />And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. / The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-10.htm">Isaiah 3:10-11</a></span><br />Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/4-8.htm">Job 4:8</a></span><br />As I have observed, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/62-12.htm">Psalm 62:12</a></span><br />and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">2 Corinthians 5:10</a></span><br />For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins, it shall die.</p><p class="hdg">all souls</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-22.htm">Numbers 16:22</a></b></br> And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/27-16.htm">Numbers 27:16</a></b></br> Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/12-1.htm">Zechariah 12:1</a></b></br> The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.</p><p class="hdg">the soul that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Ezekiel 18:20</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a></b></br> For the wages of sin <i>is</i> death; but the gift of God <i>is</i> eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10-13,22</a></b></br> For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed <i>is</i> every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/14-10.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-5.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-10.htm">Belongs</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-16.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-53.htm">Fate</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-13.htm">Sinneth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-8.htm">Sinning</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-52.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-45.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-17.htm">Souls</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/12-24.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-29.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-27.htm">Belongs</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-13.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-13.htm">Fate</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Sinneth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-38.htm">Sinning</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-14.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Souls</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/18-1.htm">God defends his justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">and exhorts to repentance</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Behold, every soul belongs to Me;</b><br>This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and ownership over all human life. In the biblical context, it reflects the monotheistic belief that God is the creator and sustainer of all souls, as seen in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>, where God breathes life into man. This ownership implies accountability to God, aligning with the covenant relationship established with Israel. The use of "behold" serves as a call to attention, underscoring the importance of the statement.<p><b>both father and son are Mine.</b><br>This highlights the individual responsibility of each person before God, regardless of familial relationships. In ancient Israel, family lineage and heritage were significant, often determining one's social and religious standing. However, this phrase asserts that each person, whether father or son, is directly accountable to God. This challenges the prevailing cultural notion of collective punishment or blessing based on ancestry, as seen in <a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Exodus 20:5-6</a>, and emphasizes personal responsibility.<p><b>The soul who sins is the one who will die.</b><br>This statement introduces the principle of individual moral responsibility, a key theme in Ezekiel's prophecy. It counters the belief that children bear the punishment for their parents' sins, as suggested in the proverb mentioned earlier in <a href="/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2</a>. The concept of death here can be understood both physically and spiritually, reflecting the consequences of sin as outlined in <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>. This principle foreshadows the New Testament teaching of personal repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ, who offers life to those who turn from sin, as seen in <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel conveyed God's messages to the Israelites, emphasizing personal responsibility and the need for repentance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The audience of Ezekiel's prophecy, they were in exile due to their collective disobedience and idolatry, struggling with understanding God's justice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, serving as a backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecies and teachings on individual accountability.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility.htm">Personal Responsibility</a></b><br>Each individual is accountable to God for their own actions. This challenges the belief that one can blame their circumstances or heritage for their spiritual state.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_ownership.htm">God's Ownership</a></b><br>Recognize that every soul belongs to God, which implies a divine claim over our lives and a call to live in accordance with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequence_of_sin.htm">The Consequence of Sin</a></b><br>Sin leads to spiritual death, underscoring the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_accountability.htm">Generational Accountability</a></b><br>While generational influences exist, each person must choose their path, emphasizing the need for personal faith and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_repentance.htm">Hope in Repentance</a></b><br>Despite the dire warning, there is hope in turning away from sin and towards God, who offers life and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_sell_their_souls.htm">Can Christians sell their souls to the devil?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_atman_in_hinduism.htm">What is Atman in Hinduism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ezekiel_18_25__are_god's_ways_truly_fair.htm">Ezekiel 18:25 – How can God declare His ways fair when the reality of suffering and injustice seems to contradict this claim? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_romans_5_19_and_ezekiel_18_align.htm">Romans 5:19 implies many are made sinners by Adam’s disobedience, so how does this align with Ezekiel 18’s insistence on individual moral accountability?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">All souls are mine.</span>--This is the basis of the subsequent teaching. Since all alike belong to God and are absolutely in His power. He has no occasion to punish one lest another should escape; and again, since all are His, He loves and would save them all, and inflicts punishment only when it is deserved and His grace is rejected. Four cases are now discussed separately: (1) That of the righteous man who honestly seeks to follow the ways of the Lord (<a href="/context/ezekiel/18-5.htm" title="But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,">Ezekiel 18:5-9</a>); (2) that of his wicked son (<a href="/context/ezekiel/18-10.htm" title="If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that does the like to any one of these things,">Ezekiel 18:10-13</a>); (3) that of the righteous son of the wicked (<a href="/context/ezekiel/18-14.htm" title="Now, see, if he beget a son, that sees all his father's sins which he has done, and considers, and does not such like,">Ezekiel 18:14-20</a>); (4) that of a change of character in the individual, whether from sin to righteousness or the reverse (<a href="/context/ezekiel/18-21.htm" title="But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.">Ezekiel 18:21-29</a>). The word "soul" throughout the chapter does not mean exclusively the immortal part of our nature, but, as so often in Scripture, is equivalent to <span class= "ital">man, </span>or <span class= "ital">person, </span>or <span class= "ital">self; </span>and the word "die" is used, as often elsewhere, in the broad sense of <span class= "ital">suffer punishment.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Behold, all souls are mine</span>, etc. The words imply, not only creation, ownership, absolute authority, on the part of God, but, as even Calvin could recognize (<span class="accented">in loc.</span>), "a paternal affection towards the whole human race which he created and formed." Ezekiel anticipates here, and yet more fully in ver. 32. the teaching of St. Paul, that "God willeth that all men should be saved" (<a href="/1_timothy/2-4.htm">1 Timothy 2:4</a>). <span class="cmt_word">The soul that sinneth, it shall die.</span> The sentence, though taken from the Law, which ordered capital punishment for the offences named, cannot be limited to that punishment. "Death" and "life" are both used in their highest and widest meaning - "life" as including all that makes it worth living, "death" for the loss of that only true life which is found in knowing God (<a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Behold,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">soul</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנְּפָשׁוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(han·nə·p̄ā·šō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">belongs to Me;</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">both father</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֛ב</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and]</span><br /><span class="heb">וּכְנֶ֥פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḵə·ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבֵּ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֑נָּה</span> <span class="translit">(hên·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2007.htm">Strong's 2007: </a> </span><span class="str2">Themselves</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Mine.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִי־</span> <span class="translit">(lî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">The soul</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(han·ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">who sins</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחֹטֵ֖את</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥō·ṭêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the one who</span><br /><span class="heb">הִ֥יא</span> <span class="translit">(hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will die.</span><br /><span class="heb">תָמֽוּת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/18-4.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 18:4 Behold all souls are mine (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 18:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 18:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/18-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 18:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 18:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>