Ezekiel 18 14

Ezekiel 18:14 kjv

Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,

Ezekiel 18:14 nkjv

"If, however, he begets a son Who sees all the sins which his father has done, And considers but does not do likewise;

Ezekiel 18:14 niv

"But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

Ezekiel 18:14 esv

"Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise:

Ezekiel 18:14 nlt

"But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father's wickedness and decides against that kind of life.

Ezekiel 18 verses

Ezekiel 18 14 Meaning

Ezekiel 18:14 continues the discussion on individual accountability, presenting the scenario of a righteous son born to a wicked father. It posits that if this son not only observes his father's transgressions but deeply reflects upon them, discerning their nature and consequences, he will then consciously choose not to imitate those sinful actions. The verse emphasizes that one's personal righteousness is not predetermined by the iniquity of their ancestors, affirming that a new generation can choose a path distinct from the previous one.

Ezekiel 18 14 Context

Ezekiel 18 addresses a profound theological crisis among the exiles in Babylon. They clung to a proverb, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Eze 18:2), which suggested they were unfairly punished for their ancestors' sins. This worldview fostered fatalism and resentment towards God's justice. Chapter 18 explicitly refutes this idea, asserting God's perfect fairness and proclaiming individual responsibility: "The soul who sins will die" (Eze 18:4, 20). The chapter proceeds through three case studies: a righteous man (Eze 18:5-9), a wicked son of a righteous father (Eze 18:10-13), and this verse (Eze 18:14) introduces the third scenario: a righteous son of a wicked father. The broader historical context is the Babylonian Exile (586 BCE), a period of national catastrophe where Judahites sought to understand God's actions and their covenant relationship with Him. Ezekiel's message was revolutionary, shifting focus from collective guilt to personal choice and moral agency, directly challenging a prevalent societal belief.

Ezekiel 18 14 Word analysis

• But if: Introduces a conditional statement, pivoting from the previous negative example of a wicked son, signaling a positive alternative. It emphasizes a fresh beginning.
• this man: Refers back to the wicked father described in Ezekiel 18:10-13. The continuity highlights the direct relationship between generations.
• has a son: Hebrew הִילִּד־בֵּן (hillid-ben), literally "begot a son" or "had a son born to him." This signifies the generational link but crucially not a predetermined moral destiny.
• who sees all the sins that his father did: Hebrew וַיַּרְא אֶת־כָּל־חַטֹּאות אָבִיו אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה (va-yar' et-kol-chatta'ot 'aviv asher 'asah).
  • וַיַּרְא (va-yar'): "he saw." This first instance implies observation, mere witnessing of the father's deeds. It's perceiving factual occurrences without necessarily processing their full moral weight initially.
  • כָּל־חַטֹּאות (kol-chatta'ot): "all the sins." חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah) denotes sin, missing the mark, moral error. The emphasis on "all" highlights the full extent of the father's wrongdoing.
• and considers them: Hebrew וַיִּרְאֶה (va-yireh). This is a crucial second use of the verb רָאָה (ra'ah) "to see," but here often understood as going beyond mere observation. Scholars interpret this as "he saw and understood", "he paid careful attention to," "he reflected upon," or "he was warned by." It implies discernment, critical evaluation, and a deep comprehension of the destructive nature and consequences of the sins. This cognitive step is essential for the subsequent moral choice. It is active internal processing, not passive reception.
• and does not do the like: Hebrew וְלֹא יַעֲשֶׂה כָהֶן (ve-lo' ya'aseh kahen). This is the culminating act of deliberate, conscious abstention.
  • וְלֹא יַעֲשֶׂה (ve-lo' ya'aseh): "and does not do." Signifies a determined refusal to engage in those actions. This is a powerful declaration of moral independence.
  • כָהֶן (kahen): "like them," "likewise." Specifies that the abstention is directly in opposition to the father's sinful practices. This choice breaks the assumed generational pattern.
• words-group analysis: "sees...and considers them": This pair of verbs is pivotal. It distinguishes between passive reception of information and active moral reflection. The son doesn't just "see" in the sense of acknowledging; he "considers" by critically evaluating, learning from the negative example, and understanding the gravity and divine implications of such acts. This intentional processing precedes and enables his righteous choice. It implies learning through observation and intellectual-moral assessment.

Ezekiel 18 14 Bonus section

The rhetorical structure of Ezekiel 18, presenting distinct scenarios (righteous man, wicked son, righteous son), is a sophisticated polemic designed to systematically dismantle the "sour grapes" proverb. Verse 14 is the third leg of this argument, demonstrating the principle that even if a child is exposed to egregious sin by a parent, their personal choice to follow God's commands determines their destiny, not their parent's. This foresight by Ezekiel's audience was particularly difficult, as they were culturally steeped in notions of corporate solidarity and destiny tied to their lineage and national history. The prophet, under divine inspiration, reveals a justice that transcends mere social structures, placing ultimate moral autonomy with the individual before God. This emphasis on individual accountability laid crucial groundwork for later biblical thought regarding personal salvation and ethical living.

Ezekiel 18 14 Commentary

Ezekiel 18:14 presents a stark counter-narrative to the prevailing cultural belief in inherited guilt. It's a testament to the power of individual choice and discernment. The son is not simply innocent; he actively becomes righteous through a deliberate, two-stage process: first, keen observation of his father's wicked actions, and second, deep reflection and understanding of their sinfulness. This cognitive process—seeing and then considering—is the precursor to his moral will to "not do the like." This verse underscores God's justice in holding each person accountable for their own choices, regardless of their family history. It offers hope for transformation, demonstrating that even a difficult background does not negate one's capacity for righteousness or God's just judgment of individual conduct. It serves as a profound call to personal responsibility, reminding us that we can choose to break cycles of sin. For instance, children who grow up in dysfunctional or morally compromised homes can, through discernment and spiritual commitment, choose a different, righteous path for their own lives and future generations.