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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 18:2 "What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge'?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/18-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/26_Ezk_18_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 18:2 - A Proverb about Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and 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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 />&#8220What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: &#8220&#8217The parents eat sour grapes, and the children&#8217s teeth are set on edge&#8217?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“What do you <i>people</i> mean by using this proverb about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers eat sour grapes, But <i>it is</i> the children’s teeth <i>that</i> have become blunt’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, &#8216The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children&#8217s teeth are set on edge &#8216?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel saying, ‘The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children’s teeth are set on edge’? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children’s teeth are set on edge’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers eat sour grapes [they sin], But the children’s teeth are set on edge’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children&#8217s teeth are set on edge? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Ezekiel, I hear the people of Israel using the old saying, "Sour grapes eaten by parents leave a sour taste in the mouths of their children." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"What do you mean when you use this proverb about the land of Israel: 'Fathers have eaten sour grapes, and their children's teeth are set on edge'?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and said, "What is this proverb people keep repeating in the land of Israel? 'The parents ate the sour grapes, But the children got the sour taste.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Why do you cite this proverb when you talk about Israel's land: 'The fathers eat sour grapes but it's their children's teeth that have become numb.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"What do you mean by quoting this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "'The fathers eat sour grapes And the children's teeth become numb?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“What [is it] to you [that] you are using this allegory "" Concerning the ground of Israel, saying, "" Fathers eat unripe fruit, "" And the sons’ teeth are blunted?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'What -- to you, ye -- using this simile Concerning the ground of Israel, saying: Fathers do eat unripe fruit, And the sons' teeth are blunted?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What to you making use of this parable upon the land of Israel, saying, The fathers will eat sour grapes and the sons teeth will be blunted?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />That you use among you this parable as a proverb in the land of Israel, saying: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Why is it that you circulate among yourselves this parable, as a proverb in the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers ate a bitter grape, and the teeth of the sons have been affected.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />what is the meaning of this proverb you recite in the land of Israel: “Parents eat sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge”? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Son of man, why do you use this proverb in the land of Israel, saying, The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“Son of man, why do you speak this parable in the land of Israel, and you are saying, ‘The parents ate sour grapes and the teeth of the children are set on edge?’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />What mean ye, that ye use this proverb in the land of Israel, saying: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Son of man, what mean ye by this parable among the children of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten unripe grapes, and the children's teeth have been set on edge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/18-2.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=4482" 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">1</span>Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">do you people</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">mean</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">by quoting this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4911.htm" title="4911: mō·šə·lîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- Denominative from mashal; to liken, i.e. to use figurative language; intransitively, to resemble.">proverb</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4912.htm" title="4912: ham·mā·šāl (Art:: N-ms) -- A proverb, parable. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">about</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: ’aḏ·maṯ (N-fsc) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel:</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇō·wṯ (N-mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">‘The fathers</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: yō·ḵə·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">have eaten</a> <a href="/hebrew/1155.htm" title="1155: ḇō·ser (N-ms) -- Unripe or sour grapes. From the same as becer.">sour grapes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8127.htm" title="8127: wə·šin·nê (Conj-w:: N-cdc) -- Tooth, ivory. From shanan; a tooth; specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff.">and the teeth</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: hab·bā·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of the children</a> <a href="/hebrew/6949.htm" title="6949: tiq·he·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- To be blunt or dull. A primitive root; to be dull.">are set on edge’?</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel.…<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="/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="/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="/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="/exodus/20-5.htm">Exodus 20:5</a></span><br />You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-7.htm">Exodus 34:7</a></span><br />maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-18.htm">Numbers 14:18</a></span><br />‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/5-7.htm">Lamentations 5:7</a></span><br />Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their punishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-19.htm">Job 21:19</a></span><br />It is said that God lays up one’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the man himself, so he will know it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-3.htm">Proverbs 19:3</a></span><br />A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Isaiah 3:11</a></span><br />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="/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1-2</a></span><br />“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-2.htm">John 9:2-3</a></span><br />and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” / Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him.<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="/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="/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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What mean you, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?</p><p class="hdg">mean</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/17-12.htm">Ezekiel 17:12</a></b></br> Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these <i>things mean</i>? tell <i>them</i>, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/3-15.htm">Isaiah 3:15</a></b></br> What mean ye <i>that</i> ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20</a></b></br> Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed <i>it</i>, Why hast thou made me thus?</p><p class="hdg">the land</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/6-2.htm">Ezekiel 6:2,3</a></b></br> Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/7-2.htm">Ezekiel 7:2</a></b></br> Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/25-3.htm">Ezekiel 25:3</a></b></br> And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;</p><p class="hdg">The fathers</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/15-4.htm">Jeremiah 15:4</a></b></br> And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for <i>that</i> which he did in Jerusalem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/31-29.htm">Jeremiah 31:29,30</a></b></br> In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/5-7.htm">Lamentations 5:7</a></b></br> Our fathers have sinned, <i>and are</i> not; and we have borne their iniquities.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/16-42.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-30.htm">Blunted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-36.htm">Children's</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-19.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-30.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-10.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-23.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-9.htm">Grapes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-14.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-23.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-12.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-44.htm">Proverb</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Repeating</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-30.htm">Sour</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-29.htm">Tasting</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-16.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-30.htm">Unripe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-2.htm">Use</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-44.htm">Using</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/20-43.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Blunted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-25.htm">Children's</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-6.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-6.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-10.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-12.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/hosea/9-2.htm">Grapes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-12.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-19.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm">Proverb</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Repeating</a> <a href="/hosea/4-18.htm">Sour</a> <a href="/matthew/27-34.htm">Tasting</a> <a href="/daniel/7-5.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/revelation/6-13.htm">Unripe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm">Use</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-49.htm">Using</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>What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:</b><br>This phrase addresses the Israelites directly, indicating a common saying or belief among them. The context is the Babylonian exile, where the Israelites were questioning their suffering and attributing it to the sins of their ancestors. This proverb reflects a misunderstanding of collective responsibility and individual accountability. The land of Israel is significant as it represents God's chosen people and their covenant relationship with Him. The use of a proverb suggests a cultural tendency to rely on traditional sayings to explain complex theological issues.<p><b>‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,</b><br>This part of the proverb implies that the actions of the ancestors (the fathers) have direct consequences on their descendants. In ancient Near Eastern culture, there was a strong sense of familial and tribal identity, where the actions of one generation were believed to affect the next. This reflects a misunderstanding of the principle of individual responsibility before God. The imagery of "sour grapes" suggests actions that are unpleasant or sinful, leading to negative outcomes.<p><b>and the teeth of the children are set on edge’?</b><br>This phrase completes the proverb by illustrating the supposed consequence of the fathers' actions on the children. The "teeth set on edge" is a vivid metaphor for experiencing discomfort or suffering due to another's actions. This reflects a fatalistic view that the children are doomed to suffer for their ancestors' sins. However, Ezekiel's message, as seen in the broader context of the chapter, emphasizes personal responsibility and the justice of God, who judges each individual according to their own deeds. This challenges the prevailing belief and aligns with other scriptures, such as <a href="/deuteronomy/24-16.htm">Deuteronomy 24:16</a>, which states that individuals are responsible for their own sin.<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 is tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites, often challenging their misconceptions and calling them to personal responsibility.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, who are in exile in Babylon, are the primary audience. They are struggling with understanding their suffering and often blame their ancestors for their current plight.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_proverb.htm">The Proverb</a></b><br>"The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge" is a saying used by the Israelites to express the belief that they are suffering for the sins of their ancestors.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_israel.htm">The Land of Israel</a></b><br>The context of the proverb is set in the land of Israel, which is significant as it represents the covenant relationship between God and His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical backdrop of this passage, where the Israelites are in captivity, serves as a period of reflection and correction for the nation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility.htm">Personal Responsibility</a></b><br>God holds each individual accountable for their own actions. We cannot blame others for our spiritual state or consequences of our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/breaking_generational_cycles.htm">Breaking Generational Cycles</a></b><br>While we may inherit certain tendencies or circumstances, through Christ, we have the power to break free from negative patterns and choose a different path.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice.htm">God's Justice</a></b><br>God's justice is fair and righteous. He does not punish us for the sins of others, but He calls us to repentance and personal transformation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a></b><br>The call to personal responsibility is also a call to repentance. God offers forgiveness and renewal to those who turn to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_exile.htm">Hope in Exile</a></b><br>Even in difficult circumstances, like the Babylonian exile, God provides hope and a way forward for those who trust in 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/meaning_of_'fathers_ate_sour_grapes'.htm">What does "fathers ate sour grapes" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'branch_of_the_lord'_mean.htm">What does 'fathers ate sour grapes' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_israel_practice_individual_accountability.htm">Ezekiel 18 – Does any historical or archaeological evidence indicate that Israel ever fully practiced individual accountability rather than communal guilt? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_biblical_idioms_shape_todayand#8217;s_christian_language.htm">How do biblical idioms shape modern Christian language?</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>(2) <span class= "bld">What mean ye?</span>--Almost the same expression occurs in <a href="/ezekiel/12-22.htm" title="Son of man, what is that proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision fails?">Ezekiel 12:22</a>. The literal translation would be, <span class= "ital">What is it to you who are using this proverb? </span>and the sense is "<span class= "ital">Why </span>do you, &c.?" <span class= "ital">Proverb </span>shows that it was a common saying, a way in which the people habitually sought to shirk the responsibility for their guilt. The same proverb is quoted in <a href="/jeremiah/31-29.htm" title="In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.">Jeremiah 31:29</a>, and condemned in the same way. "Concerning the land" should rather be <span class= "ital">in the land, i.e., </span>among the people, including both those at Jerusalem and in captivity. The teaching of this chapter concerning individual responsibility is, in one form or another, often repeated by Ezekiel. It is set forth in regard to the prophet and people, in <a href="/context/ezekiel/3-18.htm" title="When I say to the wicked, You shall surely die; and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand.">Ezekiel 3:18-21</a>; in regard to those upon whom the mark was set, in <a href="/context/ezekiel/9-4.htm" title="And the LORD said to him, Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the middle thereof.">Ezekiel 9:4-6</a>; in regard to those who enquire of the Lord, in <a href="/context/ezekiel/14-3.htm" title="Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?">Ezekiel 14:3-9</a>; and generally the teaching of this chapter is repeated in <a href="/context/ezekiel/33-1.htm" title="Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,">Ezekiel 33:1-20</a>. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/18-2.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">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you people</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mean</span><br /><span class="heb">לָּכֶ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">by quoting this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">proverb</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹֽשְׁלִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šə·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4911.htm">Strong's 4911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To liken, to use, language, in, to resemble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the land</span><br /><span class="heb">אַדְמַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(’aḏ·maṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ground, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel:</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘The fathers</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<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">eat</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹ֣אכְלוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ḵə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sour grapes,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֹ֔סֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇō·ser)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1155.htm">Strong's 1155: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unripe or sour grapes</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the children’s</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<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">teeth</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשִׁנֵּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šin·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8127.htm">Strong's 8127: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tooth, ivory, a cliff</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are set on edge’?</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּקְהֶֽינָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(tiq·he·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6949.htm">Strong's 6949: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be blunt or dull</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Ezekiel 18:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/18-2.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 18:2 What do you mean that you use (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/18-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 18:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 18:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 18:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 18:3" /></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>