Ezekiel 18:29
Yet 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?
Original Language Analysis
בֵּ֣ית
O house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
O house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתָּכֵֽן׃
equal
H8505
יִתָּכֵֽן׃
equal
Strong's:
H8505
Word #:
5 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
The way
H1870
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
The way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
6 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
The way
H1870
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
The way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתָּכֵֽן׃
equal
H8505
יִתָּכֵֽן׃
equal
Strong's:
H8505
Word #:
10 of 16
to balance, i.e., measure out (by weight or dimension); figuratively to arrange, equalize, through the idea of levelling (ment, estimate, test)
בֵּ֣ית
O house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
O house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
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
The way
H1870
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם
The way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
14 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Historical Context
This pattern of questioning God's justice persists throughout biblical and church history. Job's friends accused him, Job questioned God, Israel complained repeatedly, and modern skeptics raise the problem of evil. The answer remains: God's ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His justice is perfect even when hidden from our perspective.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas are you tempted to accuse God of unfairness or injustice?
- How does recognizing our limited perspective change our response to difficult circumstances?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'Yet 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?' The chapter ends by repeating the charge and answer from verse 25. Despite clear explanation of God's perfect justice, sinful humans persist in accusing Him. The repetition emphasizes: human perception of fairness is corrupted by sin; God's ways are perfectly just. We must trust His justice even when we don't fully understand.