Ezekiel 18:12
Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
Original Language Analysis
הוֹנָ֔ה
Hath oppressed
H3238
הוֹנָ֔ה
Hath oppressed
Strong's:
H3238
Word #:
3 of 14
to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat
גָּזָ֔ל
hath spoiled
H1497
גָּזָ֔ל
hath spoiled
Strong's:
H1497
Word #:
5 of 14
to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשִׁ֑יב
hath not restored
H7725
יָשִׁ֑יב
hath not restored
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַגִּלּוּלִים֙
to the idols
H1544
הַגִּלּוּלִים֙
to the idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
נָשָׂ֣א
and hath lifted up
H5375
נָשָׂ֣א
and hath lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
11 of 14
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עֵינָ֔יו
his eyes
H5869
עֵינָ֔יו
his eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
12 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
Ezekiel 8:6He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.Ezekiel 8:17Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.Amos 4:1Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.2 Kings 21:11Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:Zechariah 7:10And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.Ezekiel 18:16Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
Historical Context
Pre-exilic Judah's social sins—oppression of the poor, corrupt justice, exploitation—were major prophetic themes (Isaiah 1:23, 10:1-2; Jeremiah 5:28, 22:13-17; Amos 2:6-7, 5:11-12). Economic injustice revealed deeper covenant unfaithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How are social justice and worship purity connected in biblical theology?
- What economic practices in our society constitute 'oppressing the poor and needy'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge.' The wicked son violates economic justice—oppressing the vulnerable, stealing, refusing to return pledges. These are exact opposites of his father's righteousness (verse 7). 'And hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination'—idolatry and moral abominations complete his rebellion.