Ezekiel 18 15

Ezekiel 18:15 kjv

That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,

Ezekiel 18:15 nkjv

Who has not eaten on the mountains, Nor lifted his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, Nor defiled his neighbor's wife;

Ezekiel 18:15 niv

"He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife.

Ezekiel 18:15 esv

he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife,

Ezekiel 18:15 nlt

This son refuses to worship idols on the mountains and does not commit adultery.

Ezekiel 18 verses

Ezekiel 18 15 Meaning

Ezekiel 18:15 describes actions of a righteous individual who refrains from core acts of rebellion against God and social integrity. Such a person does not participate in idolatrous feasts on forbidden high places, nor does he revere the detestable idols adopted by his own people. Furthermore, he maintains sexual purity by not defiling his neighbor’s wife, demonstrating adherence to God’s covenant and moral law.

Ezekiel 18 15 Context

Ezekiel 18 is a pivotal chapter challenging a common proverb among the exiles: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Eze 18:2). This saying expressed a belief in inherited guilt, suggesting the current generation suffered for their ancestors' sins, removing individual responsibility. God, through Ezekiel, strongly refutes this, declaring each person will be judged based on their own righteousness or wickedness. Verse 15 contributes to this argument by describing the actions of a righteous son born to a wicked father (the scenario introduced in verse 10). It provides concrete examples of what a just and obedient life entails, in stark contrast to the wickedness described previously (e.g., in verse 11) and thereby emphasizing that each individual's choices determine their fate, independent of their parents. Historically, the chapter was addressed to the Judahite exiles, reminding them of God's justice and calling them to personal repentance in a time of national catastrophe. The sins highlighted (idolatry, sexual immorality) were prevalent throughout Judah's history and key reasons for the exile.

Ezekiel 18 15 Word analysis

• וְגַם֙ (ve-gam) – "And also" / "Moreover". Connects this description as another distinct, positive characteristic of the righteous person, adding to a list of upright behaviors.

• אֶל־הֶהָרִים֙ (el-heharim) – "to/upon the mountains". Refers to the "high places" which were notorious sites for pagan worship, syncretistic cults, and prohibited rituals in ancient Israel. These locations symbolized Israel's departure from pure Yahwism.

• לֹ֣א אָכַ֔ל (lo akhal) – "he has not eaten". This is more than merely consuming food; it denotes participating in sacrificial meals offered to idols on the high places. Such participation signified allegiance and worship of false gods, a direct violation of God's covenant with Israel.

• וְעֵינָיו֙ לֹ֣א נָשָׂ֔א (ve-einav lo nasa) – "nor has lifted up his eyes". This idiom signifies a gesture of reverence, longing, admiration, or prayer. To "lift one's eyes" to something implies placing hope or worship in it. The negative here means a complete absence of such devotion.

• אֶל־גִּלּוּלֵ֣י (el-gilulei) – "to the idols of". גִּלּוּלִים (gilulim) is a derogatory term used by Ezekiel and other prophets (meaning "dung-gods" or "detestable things") to express contempt for pagan deities and objects of worship. It highlights the perceived loathsomeness and worthlessness of these figures in God's eyes.

• בֵית־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (beit-yisrael) – "house of Israel". Emphasizes that these idols were worshipped by God's own people, underscoring the severity of their apostasy and the internal corruption of the nation.

• וְאֶת־אֵ֥שֶׁת רֵעֵ֖הוּ לֹ֣א טִמֵּ֑א (ve-et-eshet re'ehu lo timme) – "nor has defiled his neighbor's wife". Refers to the act of adultery, a grave violation of the Seventh Commandment. "Timme" (טִמֵּא) means to make unclean or pollute, highlighting the moral, social, and spiritual impurity that adultery brought upon individuals, families, and the community as a whole. It undermined the social fabric and defied the sanctity of marriage established by God.

• "neither has eaten upon the mountains, nor has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel" – This phrase highlights the individual's steadfast rejection of idolatry, both through abstaining from direct participation in pagan cultic feasts (eating upon the mountains) and through a deeper refusal of internal longing or reverence towards idols, specifically those adopted by his own nation. These acts constitute foundational obedience to the first two commandments, demonstrating exclusive devotion to YHWH.

Ezekiel 18 15 Bonus section

Ezekiel's deliberate choice of "gilulim" for idols in this chapter and throughout his prophecy is particularly significant. It reflects not just a factual description of idols but carries a profound theological polemic. By repeatedly using a term derived from a root meaning "dung" or "balls of excrement," Ezekiel aimed to denigrate these objects of worship, stripping them of any perceived dignity or power. This harsh language serves to shock his audience into recognizing the vile nature of their spiritual apostasy, which often mingled with physical impurities (cultic prostitution, child sacrifice).

The righteous actions outlined in verse 15—avoiding cultic feasts, abstaining from idolatrous gaze, and upholding marital fidelity—represent a fundamental commitment to God's holiness. These are not just arbitrary rules but principles that safeguard the covenant relationship, emphasizing separation from pagan practices (vertical relationship with God) and maintaining moral integrity within the community (horizontal relationships). In an exilic context, such individual faithfulness offered a pathway to restoration and demonstrated that true righteousness was still attainable, providing hope and a clear call to repentance.

Ezekiel 18 15 Commentary

Ezekiel 18:15 defines key characteristics of a righteous person, essential for understanding individual accountability in God's judgment. The verse outlines three specific prohibitions, serving as a powerful counter-example to the pervasive sins of the generation leading to exile. First, abstaining from eating "upon the mountains" directly rejects the widespread idolatrous practices associated with pagan cults, which included communal feasts offered to false gods. Second, not "lifting up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel" indicates an internal rejection of reverence and devotion towards the detestable objects Israel had embraced, signifying true monotheistic allegiance to God alone. Lastly, "nor has defiled his neighbor's wife" underscores commitment to moral and social purity, specifically adhering to the sanctity of marriage and family life as mandated by the Seventh Commandment. Together, these actions illustrate a life lived in full obedience to the divine covenant, representing a holistic integrity in worship, thought, and social conduct. Such a life ensures divine favor, not due to inherited status, but solely based on personal choices of righteousness.