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<!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 18:19 Yet you may ask, 'Why shouldn't the son bear the iniquity of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/18-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/26_Ezk_18_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 18:19 - The Soul who Sins will Die" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Yet you may ask, 'Why shouldn't the son bear the iniquity of his father?' 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For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet you may ask, ‘Why shouldn’t the son bear the iniquity of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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, <i>and</i> hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not suffer <i>the punishment</i> for the father’s guilt?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness <i>and</i> has kept all My statutes and done them, he shall certainly live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Yet you say, &#8216Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father&#8217s iniquity?&#8217 When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness, and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ But the son has done justice and righteousness and has kept all My statutes and done them. He shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Yet do you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s sin?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has kept all My statutes and has done them, he shall certainly live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But you may ask, ‘Why doesn’t the son suffer punishment for the father’s iniquity? ’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all my statutes, he will certainly live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But you may ask, &#8216Why doesn&#8217t the son suffer punishment for the father&#8217s iniquity?&#8217 Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will certainly live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet say ye, Wherefore 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You may wonder why a son isn't punished for the sins of his father. It is because the son does what is right and obeys my laws. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Yet say ye, Wherefore 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"But you ask, 'Why isn't the son punished for his father's sin?' It is because the son has done what is fair and right. He obeyed my rules and followed them. He will certainly live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"But you ask, 'Why shouldn't the son suffer because of his father's sins?' The answer is that the son did what was right and good. He kept my laws and followed them carefully, and so he will certainly live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Yet you keep asking, 'Why wouldn't the son bear the punishment of his father's sin?' Because the son has done what was lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes and obeyed them, he's certainly going to live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Yet you say, 'Why should the son not suffer for his father's iniquity?' When the son does what is just and right, and observes all my statutes and carries them out, he will surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Yet you say, 'Why doesn't the son bear the iniquity of the father?' When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet you may ask, ‘Why shouldn’t the son bear the iniquity of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Yet you say, ‘Why doesn’t the son bear the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he will surely live. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you have said, Why has the son not borne of the iniquity of the father? And the son has done judgment and righteousness, "" He has kept all My statutes, "" And he does them, he surely lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And ye have said, Wherefore hath not the son, Borne of the iniquity of the father? And -- the son judgment and righteousness hath done, All My statutes he hath kept, And he doeth them, he surely liveth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye said, Why bore not the son upon the iniquity of the father? and the son doing judgment and justice, watching all my laws, and he will do them; living, he shall live.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And you say: Why hath not the son borne the iniquity of his father? Verily, because the son hath wrought judgment and justice, hath kept all my commandments, and done them, living, he shall live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you say, ‘Why has not the son borne the iniquity of the father?’ Clearly, since the son has worked judgment and justice, has observed all my precepts, and has done them, he shall certainly live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You ask: “Why is not the son charged with the guilt of his father?” Because the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to observe all my statutes—he shall surely live!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet you say, “Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?” When the son has done what is lawful and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if they should say, Why does not the son bear the sins of his father? say to them, Because the son has done that which is lawful and right and has kept all my commandments, he shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if they say: “How is it a son is not paid the sin of his father?”, say to them, “Because the son did justice and righteousness and he keeps all of my commands, he shall surely live<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Yet say ye: Why doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father with him? 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But ye will say, Why has not the son borne the iniquity of the father? Because the son has wrought judgement and mercy, has kept all my statues, and done them, he shall surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/18-19.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=4666" 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">The Soul who Sins will Die</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wa·’ă·mar·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Yet you may ask,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4069.htm" title="4069: mad·du·a‘ (Interrog) -- Why? for what reason?. Or madduaa; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what known?; i.e. why?.">‘Why</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.).">shouldn’t the son</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nā·śā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">bear</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ba·‘ă·wōn (Prep-b:: N-csc) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">the iniquity</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).">of his father?’</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: wə·hab·bên (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">Since the son</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">has done</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·pāṭ (N-ms) -- Judgment. ">what is just</a> <a href="/hebrew/6666.htm" title="6666: ū·ṣə·ḏā·qāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Righteousness. From tsadaq; rightness, subjectively, objectively, morally or figuratively.">and right,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">carefully</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘ă·śeh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">observing</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></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.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2708.htm" title="2708: ḥuq·qō·w·ṯay (N-fpc:: 1cs) -- Something prescribed, an enactment, statute. Feminine of choq, and meaning substantially the same.">My statutes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: ḥā·yōh (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">he will surely live.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: yiḥ·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive."></a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.…<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="/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/31-29.htm">Jeremiah 31:29-30</a></span><br />“In those days, it will no longer be said: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge.’ / 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="/2_chronicles/25-4.htm">2 Chronicles 25:4</a></span><br />Yet he did not put their sons to death, but acted according to what is written in the Law, in the Book 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="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a></span><br />So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-5.htm">Galatians 6:5</a></span><br />For each one should carry his own load.<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="/romans/2-6.htm">Romans 2:6</a></span><br />God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">1 Peter 1:17</a></span><br />Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-12.htm">Proverbs 9:12</a></span><br />If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/19-4.htm">Job 19:4</a></span><br />Even if I have truly gone astray, my error concerns me alone.<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="/jeremiah/32-18.htm">Jeremiah 32:18-19</a></span><br />You show loving devotion to thousands but lay the iniquity of the fathers into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the LORD of Hosts, / the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<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">Yet say you, Why? does not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he shall surely live.</p><p class="hdg">Why</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Exodus 20:5</a></b></br> Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God <i>am</i> a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth <i>generation</i> of them that hate me;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/5-9.htm">Deuteronomy 5:9</a></b></br> Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God <i>am</i> a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth <i>generation</i> of them that hate me,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">2 Kings 23:26</a></b></br> Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.</p><p class="hdg">When</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Ezekiel 20:18-20,24,30</a></b></br> But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3-6</a></b></br> Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/17-23.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-9.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-49.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-18.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-8.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-9.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-5.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-9.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-18.htm">Practiced</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-19.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-5.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-5.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-7.htm">Share</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-17.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-13.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-17.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-35.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-19.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-22.htm">Practiced</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Share</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-32.htm">Wherefore</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>Yet you may ask, ‘Why shouldn’t the son bear the iniquity of his father?’</b><br>This phrase addresses a common belief in ancient Israel that children could suffer for the sins of their parents, as seen in <a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Exodus 20:5</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/5-9.htm">Deuteronomy 5:9</a>, where God speaks of visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children. However, <a href="/ezekiel/18.htm">Ezekiel 18</a> challenges this notion, emphasizing individual responsibility. The cultural context of the time often involved collective family or tribal identity, where actions of one member could affect the whole group. This question reflects a shift towards personal accountability, a theme that is consistent with the broader message of the prophets who called for personal repentance and righteousness.<p><b>Since the son has done what is just and right,</b><br>This phrase highlights the importance of personal righteousness and justice. In the context of Ezekiel, doing what is "just and right" involves adhering to God's laws and commandments, which were given to guide the Israelites in living a life pleasing to God. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience leads to blessings. The emphasis on individual actions aligns with the teachings found in other parts of the Old Testament, such as in the wisdom literature, where personal integrity and righteousness are highly valued.<p><b>carefully observing all My statutes,</b><br>The phrase underscores the necessity of obedience to God's statutes, which are detailed in the Mosaic Law. This includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws that governed the life of Israel. The call to "carefully observe" suggests a diligent and intentional effort to live according to God's standards. This is reminiscent of <a href="/deuteronomy/6-17.htm">Deuteronomy 6:17</a>, which instructs the Israelites to diligently keep the commandments. The emphasis on careful observance points to a heart fully committed to God, a theme that is echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who fulfilled the Law and called His followers to a higher standard of righteousness.<p><b>he will surely live.</b><br>This promise of life is both physical and spiritual. In the immediate context, it refers to the preservation of life and blessing in the land of Israel. However, it also points to the deeper spiritual truth of eternal life, which is a consistent theme throughout Scripture. The assurance of life for those who are righteous is seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/1-6.htm">Psalm 1:6</a> and <a href="/proverbs/12-28.htm">Proverbs 12:28</a>. In the New Testament, this concept is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life to those who believe in Him, as seen in <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>. The promise of life is a central tenet of the Christian faith, emphasizing the hope and assurance found in a relationship with God.<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 repentance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The audience of Ezekiel's prophecy, who were in exile due to their collective disobedience and idolatry.<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.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_statutes.htm">God's Statutes</a></b><br>The laws and commandments given by God, which the Israelites were expected to follow.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_son.htm">The Son</a></b><br>Represents individuals who choose to live righteously, despite their familial or generational background.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility.htm">Personal Responsibility</a></b><br>Each individual is accountable for their own actions and choices. We cannot blame our circumstances or heritage for our spiritual state.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_living.htm">Righteous Living</a></b><br>Observing God's statutes and living justly leads to life. This is a call to align our lives with God's standards, regardless of our background.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_freedom.htm">Generational Freedom</a></b><br>We are not bound by the sins of our ancestors. Through Christ, we have the freedom to break generational cycles of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a></b><br>God offers a path to life through repentance and obedience. This is an invitation to continually seek God's forgiveness and strive for righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_justice.htm">Hope in God's Justice</a></b><br>God's justice ensures that each person is judged fairly, providing hope and assurance that our efforts to live righteously are recognized by Him.<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/what_are_generational_curses_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about generational curses?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_children_for_ancestors'_sins.htm">If God is just, why does He punish children for the sins of their ancestors (Exodus 20:5)?</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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_all_for_a_few's_sins_in_ezekiel.htm">If God judges individual hearts, why does Ezekiel 14:13-20 depict whole communities being punished for the sins of a few?</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>(19) <span class= "bld">Why? Doth not the son bear?</span>--It would be clearer to read this as a single question, "Why doth not the son, &c?<span class= "ital">" </span>It is the question proposed by the people in objection to what has been declared. To them it seemed the law of nature, the necessity of the case, the teaching of history, that the son should bear the iniquity of his father. Their ideas had not risen to the conception of man's individual responsibility to God; to them the individual was still but a part of the nation or the family. They ask, therefore, why this universal law should now be reversed. It was not true that any law was reversed, it was only that the superior prevailed over the inferior law; but, as usual in such cases, the Divine word does not reason with the human objection, but in this and the following verse only reiterates most emphatically the law of individual responsibility.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why? doth not the son,</span> etc.? The words are better taken, with the LXX., Vulgate, Revised Version, and most critics, as a single question, <span class="accented">Why doth not the son bear</span>, etc.? What is the explanation of a fact which seemingly contradicts the teaching of the Law? The answer to the question seems at first only an iteration of what had been stated before. The son repents, and therefore does not bear his father's iniquity. A man is responsible for his own sins, and for those only. To think otherwise is to think of God as less righteous than man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/18-19.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">Yet you may ask,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·mar·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Why</span><br /><span class="heb">מַדֻּ֛עַ</span> <span class="translit">(mad·du·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4069.htm">Strong's 4069: </a> </span><span class="str2">Why? for what reason?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">should the 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">not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bear</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשָׂ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(nā·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the iniquity</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּעֲוֺ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(ba·‘ă·wōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the father?’</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֑ב</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">Since the son</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַבֵּ֞ן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hab·bên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, 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">has done</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשָׂ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what is just</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפָּ֧ט</span> <span class="translit">(miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and right,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּצְדָקָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ṣə·ḏā·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6666.htm">Strong's 6666: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rightness, subjectively, objectively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">carefully</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמַ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(šā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">observing</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘ă·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</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">My statutes,</span><br /><span class="heb">חֻקּוֹתַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ḥuq·qō·w·ṯay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2708.htm">Strong's 2708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prescribed, an enactment, statute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he will surely live.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָיֹ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·yōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/18-19.htm">Ezekiel 18:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/18-19.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 18:19 Yet say you Why does not (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/18-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 18:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 18:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 18:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 18:20" /></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>