Ezekiel 18:19

Ezekiel 18:19 Meaning and Explanation

Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.

King James Version (KJV)

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God answers the objection: a righteous son will live even if his father was wicked.

The Context of Ezekiel 18:19

God rejects the excuse of inherited guilt.

What Does Ezekiel 18:19 Mean?

The Israelites are still clinging to the old logic: 'Doesn't the son bear the father's guilt?' God's answer is emphatic: when the son keeps the law and does right, he shall surely live. The father's iniquity does not transfer to a child who walks in righteousness.

This addresses the fatalism that had paralyzed Israel. There is hope. The next generation can change course.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 18:19

What does Ezekiel 18:19 mean?

God answers the objection: a righteous son will live even if his father was wicked.

What is the context of Ezekiel 18:19?

God rejects the excuse of inherited guilt.

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