Ezekiel 18:25
Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתָּכֵֽנוּ׃
equal
H8505
יִתָּכֵֽנוּ׃
equal
Strong's:
H8505
Word #:
3 of 16
to balance, i.e., measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange, equalize, through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate, test)
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
Is not my way
H1870
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
Is not my way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
שִׁמְעוּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְעוּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
6 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
נָא֙
H4994
נָא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
7 of 16
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
בֵּ֣ית
now O house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
now O house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
Is not my way
H1870
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
Is not my way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתָּכֵֽנוּ׃
equal
H8505
יִתָּכֵֽנוּ׃
equal
Strong's:
H8505
Word #:
12 of 16
to balance, i.e., measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange, equalize, through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate, test)
הֲלֹ֥א
H3808
הֲלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
Is not my way
H1870
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
Is not my way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
14 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Ezekiel 33:17Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.Jeremiah 12:1Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?Genesis 18:25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?Ezekiel 33:20Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.Malachi 2:17Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?Zephaniah 3:5The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.Ezekiel 18:29Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
Historical Context
Throughout Ezekiel, the exiles questioned God's justice in bringing exile. Similar complaints appear in Jeremiah 31:29, Lamentations, and Malachi 2:17. Fallen humanity characteristically accuses God of injustice when experiencing consequences of sin. The New Testament similarly addresses objections to God's justice (Romans 9:14-24).
Questions for Reflection
- When have you accused God of unfairness while ignoring your own sin?
- How does recognizing our distorted view of justice change our response to God's judgments?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?' The people accuse God of injustice ('not equal'—Hebrew takan, 'not right/fair'). God turns the accusation: His way is perfectly just; their ways are unequal. Human perspective on justice is distorted by sin. God's individual accountability is perfectly fair—each person receives consequences for their own choices.