Ezekiel 18:17
That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
Original Language Analysis
הֵשִׁ֣יב
That hath taken off
H7725
הֵשִׁ֣יב
That hath taken off
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יָד֗וֹ
his hand
H3027
יָד֗וֹ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְתַרְבִּית֙
nor increase
H8636
וְתַרְבִּית֙
nor increase
Strong's:
H8636
Word #:
5 of 18
multiplication, i.e., percentage or bonus in addition to principal
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לָקָ֔ח
that hath not received
H3947
לָקָ֔ח
that hath not received
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
7 of 18
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י
my judgments
H4941
מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י
my judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
עָשָׂ֔ה
hath executed
H6213
עָשָׂ֔ה
hath executed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הָלָ֑ךְ
hath walked
H1980
הָלָ֑ךְ
hath walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ה֗וּא
H1931
ה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 18
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמ֛וּת
he shall not die
H4191
יָמ֛וּת
he shall not die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
14 of 18
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אָבִ֖יו
of his father
H1
אָבִ֖יו
of his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
16 of 18
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Historical Context
This principle is stated in Deuteronomy 24:16 ('fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers') and demonstrated in 2 Kings 14:6 when Amaziah spared the children of his father's assassins. Personal responsibility is a consistent biblical theme.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding individual accountability free us from fatalism about family patterns?
- What hope does this offer to those from troubled or unbelieving families?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.' The righteous grandson's verdict: life, not death. 'He shall not die for the iniquity of his father'—explicit rejection of inherited guilt. Each person's eternal fate depends on their own relationship with God through covenant faithfulness.