Ezekiel 18:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Every soul belongs to God, and each person is accountable for their own sins.
The Context of Ezekiel 18:4
God establishes the principle of individual accountability.
What Does Ezekiel 18:4 Mean?
God's ownership of all souls establishes the foundation: no one exists outside divine accountability. Both father and son belong equally to God, neither exempt nor privileged, neither inherited with guilt nor vicarious judgment.
The principle is absolute: the soul that sins dies. This means responsibility is individual, not transferred. Each person's spiritual fate depends on their own choices, not on what anyone else did.
Ezekiel 18:4 in the Original Language
soul (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh) — the living person; the whole self in relation to God, not merely the non-physical part.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 18:4
What does Ezekiel 18:4 mean?
Every soul belongs to God, and each person is accountable for their own sins.
What is the context of Ezekiel 18:4?
God establishes the principle of individual accountability.