Ezekiel 18 12

Ezekiel 18:12 kjv

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,

Ezekiel 18:12 nkjv

If he has oppressed the poor and needy, Robbed by violence, Not restored the pledge, Lifted his eyes to the idols, Or committed abomination;

Ezekiel 18:12 niv

He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things.

Ezekiel 18:12 esv

oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination,

Ezekiel 18:12 nlt

oppresses the poor and helpless, steals from debtors by refusing to let them redeem their security, worships idols, commits detestable sins,

Ezekiel 18 verses

Ezekiel 18 12 Meaning

Ezekiel 18:12 details the specific transgressions that mark an unrighteous individual worthy of judgment and death in the eyes of the Lord. These actions represent a blatant disregard for both God's covenant laws concerning social justice and the prohibition against idolatry, signifying a complete departure from the path of righteousness outlined in the chapter. It highlights that the wicked son, unlike his just father, actively participates in harming the vulnerable, taking what is not his, failing to honor commitments, and engaging in forbidden worship, all of which incur divine condemnation.

Ezekiel 18 12 Context

Ezekiel 18 addresses a prevalent proverb among the Israelite exiles: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Eze 18:2). This saying reflected their belief that they were suffering for their ancestors' sins, feeling unfairly punished by God. Ezekiel, speaking on behalf of God, directly refutes this notion. The chapter argues vehemently for individual moral responsibility. It posits that a righteous person will live, a wicked person will die for their own sins, and a wicked person who turns to righteousness will live, while a righteous person who turns to wickedness will die.

Verse 12 is part of a detailed exposition of a "wicked" son, who does not follow the righteous ways of his father but commits specific abominable acts. These actions are laid out to exemplify what it means for an individual to sin "not doing any of those things [that his righteous father did]" (Eze 18:10), contrasting the righteous father's practices with the son's severe transgressions against God's law and people. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, where Israel needed to understand God's justice and their own culpability for their plight, not merely inherited guilt. The prophet is articulating God's character as just, holding each person accountable for their own deeds, rather than arbitrary or collective punishment for ancestral sins.

Ezekiel 18 12 Word analysis

• "if he has oppressed" (`‘ashaq` - עָשַׁק): To exploit, defraud, extort, or deal violently with another, often the weaker party. This term implies taking advantage of a position of power or trust to harm someone financially or physically. It represents a serious violation of covenant ethics.
• "the poor" (`‘ani` - עָנִי): Refers to those who are economically disadvantaged, afflicted, or humble. In ancient Israelite society, the poor and marginalized (including sojourners, widows, and orphans) were under God's special protection (Deut 24:14).
• "and needy" (`‘evyon` - אֶבְיוֹן): Often paired with `‘ani`, further emphasizing extreme poverty, destitution, and severe want. The legal codes consistently commanded compassion and protection for this group, seeing their care as a measure of a society's adherence to God's justice.
• "committed robbery" (`gazal` - גָזַל): To violently snatch away, plunder, or seize by force. This is distinct from theft, implying an aggressive, forceful, and public act of taking someone else's property, often through coercion or violence, rather than stealth. It speaks to a brazen disrespect for others' rights and property.
• "not restored a pledge": The Hebrew implies a specific act related to `haval` (חָבַל), meaning to take or seize a pledge (collateral for a loan). The phrase "not restored a pledge" refers to the violation of Mosaic Law (Exod 22:26-27; Deut 24:12-13) which required returning a poor person's garment (taken as collateral) by nightfall so they would not be left exposed. It's an act of heartlessness and contempt for the vulnerable.
• "lifted up his eyes" (`nasa' ‘einav` - נָשָׂא עֵינָיו): An idiomatic expression meaning to look longingly, with desire, or in reverence. In the context of "idols," it signifies worshipping them, acknowledging them as gods, or turning to them in supplication or adoration. It denotes an active, willful engagement in idolatry.
• "to the idols" (`gillulim` - גִּלּוּלִים): A term specifically favored by Ezekiel, often rendered "idols" or "dung-gods." This derogatory term literally means "rolling things" or "dung pellets," conveying utter worthlessness, foulness, and spiritual impurity. It underscores God's absolute contempt for the false gods worshipped by Israel.
• "committed abomination" (`to‘evah` - תּוֹעֵבָה): Refers to an act or object that is utterly detestable, repulsive, and abhorrent to God. This term covers a wide range of grave sins, often used for idolatry (Deut 7:25), sexual perversions (Lev 18:22), child sacrifice (Deut 12:31), and various forms of injustice and deceit (Prov 6:16-19, Prov 28:9). Here, it serves as a summary term for actions that fundamentally violate God's moral and cultic standards.

• "oppressed the poor and needy": This grouping highlights the vulnerability of the victims and the calculated malevolence of the perpetrator. It points to a systematic abuse of power and disregard for the weakest members of society, contrary to God's constant advocacy for justice.
• "committed robbery, not restored a pledge": These phrases together paint a picture of economic exploitation and lack of compassion. Robbery is outright violence, while failing to restore a pledge demonstrates an unforgiving, merciless heart, stripping the poor of their basic needs and dignity, violating explicit divine command.
• "lifted up his eyes to the idols, committed abomination": This pair connects the spiritual act of idolatry with its corresponding immoral actions (or acts themselves deemed abominable). It underscores that unrighteousness is not merely social but deeply rooted in a rejection of God through forbidden worship and detestable practices that violate His holy nature. These acts show a complete severance from the covenant relationship with the One true God.

Ezekiel 18 12 Bonus section

The strong emphasis on the sins against the poor and vulnerable in this verse highlights a recurring prophetic theme: God's justice is deeply intertwined with social equity. Often, Israel's spiritual decline was accompanied, or even manifested, by a decline in compassionate treatment of the needy. The sequence of sins moves from societal exploitation to direct breaches of sacred law, culminating in general "abomination," indicating a comprehensive moral and spiritual corruption. This verse illustrates that, for God, one cannot claim to worship Him while simultaneously acting oppressively towards others. The act of "lifting up eyes to idols" (a spiritual sin) is placed immediately before "committed abomination" (a broad category that includes moral transgressions), suggesting a profound connection between unrighteous worship and unrighteous living. The Hebrew term gillulim for idols is purposefully scornful, underscoring the foolishness and offense of worshipping such things rather than the Creator. The repeated and varied expressions of harming the vulnerable indicate the severe gravity with which God views such acts.

Ezekiel 18 12 Commentary

Ezekiel 18:12 presents a clear definition of a wicked individual by listing actions that are both socially unjust and spiritually perverse. It serves as a comprehensive indictment, combining direct violations of the Mosaic social laws (oppression, robbery, failure to restore pledges) with grave religious offenses (idolatry and general abomination). The verse strongly communicates that a person is judged not just by external religious observance but by the purity of their worship and their ethical treatment of others, especially the most vulnerable. This unified condemnation emphasizes that the true faith is holistic, demanding both correct worship of God and righteous conduct toward humanity. By committing such acts, the son has willfully rebelled against God's covenant, justifying the divine declaration that he will surely die for his own iniquity, as part of God's refutation of the concept of inherited guilt. This individual's fate is a direct consequence of his personal choice to reject God's ways through a pattern of specific, egregious sins.