Ezekiel 18:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
The soul
H5315
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
The soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
הַחֹטֵ֖את
that sinneth
H2398
הַחֹטֵ֖את
that sinneth
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
הִ֣יא
H1931
הִ֣יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 22
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
תָמ֑וּת
it shall die
H4191
תָמ֑וּת
it shall die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
4 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
הַבֵּ֔ן
The son
H1121
הַבֵּ֔ן
The son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשָּׂא֙
bear
H5375
יִשָּׂא֙
bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
7 of 22
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וְאָב֙
neither shall the father
H1
וְאָב֙
neither shall the father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
9 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאָב֙
neither shall the father
H1
וְאָב֙
neither shall the father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשָּׂא֙
bear
H5375
יִשָּׂא֙
bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
12 of 22
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הַבֵּ֔ן
The son
H1121
הַבֵּ֔ן
The son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
צִדְקַ֤ת
the righteousness
H6666
צִדְקַ֤ת
the righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
15 of 22
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
עָלָ֣יו
H5921
עָלָ֣יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְרִשְׁעַ֥ת
shall be upon him and the wickedness
H7564
וְרִשְׁעַ֥ת
shall be upon him and the wickedness
Strong's:
H7564
Word #:
19 of 22
wrong (especially moral)
רָשָׁ֖ע
of the wicked
H7563
רָשָׁ֖ע
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
20 of 22
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
Cross References
Deuteronomy 24:16The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.2 Kings 14:6But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.Ezekiel 18:4Behold, 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.2 Chronicles 25:4But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.Matthew 16:27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.1 Kings 8:32Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.Numbers 18:1And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.Revelation 20:12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.2 Chronicles 6:23Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Historical Context
This clear statement (591 BC) corrected the exiles' misunderstanding of corporate judgment. While nations and families experience collective consequences, ultimate judgment is individual. Godly Josiah couldn't save Judah from his fathers' wickedness, nor did wicked Manasseh's idolatry doom his repentant son Josiah. Each stood before God based on personal covenant faithfulness. This principle shapes biblical justice—punishment falls on the guilty, not the innocent. While Christ bore our sins as substitute, individuals must personally trust Him for salvation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse challenge attempts to blame others for your spiritual condition?
- What is the relationship between personal accountability and Christ bearing our sins as substitute?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The principle of individual accountability reaches climax: "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." Each person bears responsibility for their own sin. The phrase "the soul that sinneth" emphasizes personal agency. This doesn't contradict original sin or corporate solidarity but establishes individual judgment. The righteous person's righteousness benefits only themselves; the wicked person's wickedness condemns only themselves. This anticipates the Great White Throne judgment where each gives account personally (Revelation 20:12-13).