Ezekiel 18:19 Yet you may ask, 'Why shouldn't the son bear the iniquity of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live.

◄ Ezekiel 18:19 ►

New International Version
“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.

New Living Translation
“‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live.

English Standard Version
“Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live.

Berean Standard Bible
Yet you may ask, ‘Why shouldn’t the son bear the iniquity of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live.

New American Standard Bible
“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has kept all My statutes and done them, he shall certainly live.

NASB 1995
“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live.

NASB 1977
“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness, and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ But the son has done justice and righteousness and has kept all My statutes and done them. He shall surely live.

Amplified Bible
“Yet do you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s sin?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has kept all My statutes and has done them, he shall certainly live.

Christian Standard Bible
But you may ask, ‘Why doesn’t the son suffer punishment for the father’s iniquity? ’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all my statutes, he will certainly live.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But you may ask, ‘Why doesn’t the son suffer punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will certainly live.

American Standard Version
Yet say ye, Wherefore 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.

Contemporary English Version
You may wonder why a son isn't punished for the sins of his father. It is because the son does what is right and obeys my laws.

English Revised Version
Yet say ye, Wherefore 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"But you ask, 'Why isn't the son punished for his father's sin?' It is because the son has done what is fair and right. He obeyed my rules and followed them. He will certainly live.

Good News Translation
"But you ask, 'Why shouldn't the son suffer because of his father's sins?' The answer is that the son did what was right and good. He kept my laws and followed them carefully, and so he will certainly live.

International Standard Version
"Yet you keep asking, 'Why wouldn't the son bear the punishment of his father's sin?' Because the son has done what was lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes and obeyed them, he's certainly going to live.

Majority Standard Bible
Yet you may ask, ‘Why shouldn’t the son bear the iniquity of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live.

NET Bible
"Yet you say, 'Why should the son not suffer for his father's iniquity?' When the son does what is just and right, and observes all my statutes and carries them out, he will surely live.

New Heart English Bible
"Yet you say, 'Why doesn't the son bear the iniquity of the father?' When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he shall surely live.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
“Yet you say, ‘Why doesn’t the son bear the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he will surely live.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you have said, Why has the son not borne of the iniquity of the father? And the son has done judgment and righteousness, "" He has kept all My statutes, "" And he does them, he surely lives.

Young's Literal Translation
And ye have said, Wherefore hath not the son, Borne of the iniquity of the father? And -- the son judgment and righteousness hath done, All My statutes he hath kept, And he doeth them, he surely liveth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye said, Why bore not the son upon the iniquity of the father? and the son doing judgment and justice, watching all my laws, and he will do them; living, he shall live.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And you say: Why hath not the son borne the iniquity of his father? Verily, because the son hath wrought judgment and justice, hath kept all my commandments, and done them, living, he shall live.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you say, ‘Why has not the son borne the iniquity of the father?’ Clearly, since the son has worked judgment and justice, has observed all my precepts, and has done them, he shall certainly live.

New American Bible
You ask: “Why is not the son charged with the guilt of his father?” Because the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to observe all my statutes—he shall surely live!

New Revised Standard Version
Yet you say, “Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?” When the son has done what is lawful and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And if they should say, Why does not the son bear the sins of his father? say to them, Because the son has done that which is lawful and right and has kept all my commandments, he shall surely live.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if they say: “How is it a son is not paid the sin of his father?”, say to them, “Because the son did justice and righteousness and he keeps all of my commands, he shall surely live

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Yet say ye: Why doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father with him? 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But ye will say, Why has not the son borne the iniquity of the father? Because the son has wrought judgement and mercy, has kept all my statues, and done them, he shall surely live.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Soul who Sins will Die
19Yet you may ask, ‘Why shouldn’t the son bear the iniquity of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live. 20The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 24:16
Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.

Jeremiah 31:29-30
“In those days, it will no longer be said: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge.’ / Instead, each will die for his own iniquity. If anyone eats the sour grapes, his own teeth will be set on edge.

2 Kings 14:6
Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”

2 Chronicles 25:4
Yet he did not put their sons to death, but acted according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”

Romans 14:12
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Galatians 6:5
For each one should carry his own load.

Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

Romans 2:6
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”

1 Peter 1:17
Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.

Proverbs 9:12
If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.

Job 19:4
Even if I have truly gone astray, my error concerns me alone.

Isaiah 3:10-11
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

Jeremiah 32:18-19
You show loving devotion to thousands but lay the iniquity of the fathers into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the LORD of Hosts, / the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

Treasury of Scripture

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

Why

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Deuteronomy 5:9
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,

2 Kings 23:26
Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.

When

Ezekiel 20:18-20,24,30
But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols: …

Zechariah 1:3-6
Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts…

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Bear Careful Guilt Iniquity Justice Kept Lawful Observe Practiced Punishment Right Righteousness Share Statutes Suffer Surely Wherefore

Ezekiel 18

1. God defends his justice
31. and exhorts to repentance

Berean Study Bible

Yet you may ask
This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, indicating a common objection or misunderstanding among the people. In the Hebrew text, the word "ask" (תֹּאמְרוּ) suggests a dialogue or challenge to divine justice. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' struggle with the concept of individual responsibility versus collective punishment, a theme prevalent in the exilic period when Ezekiel prophesied.

‘Why should the son not bear the iniquity of the father?’
This question addresses a prevalent belief in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, where familial or generational punishment was common. The Hebrew word for "iniquity" (עָוֹן) implies guilt or sin. Theologically, this challenges the notion of inherited guilt, emphasizing personal accountability. This reflects a shift from collective to individual responsibility, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of personal repentance and redemption.

Since the son has done what is just and right
The phrase underscores the importance of personal righteousness. The Hebrew words for "just" (מִשְׁפָּט) and "right" (צְדָקָה) denote legal and moral correctness. This highlights the biblical principle that each person is judged by their own actions, a revolutionary idea in a time when family and tribal identity often dictated one's fate. It emphasizes God's fairness and the possibility of redemption through righteous living.

and has been careful to keep all My statutes
This part of the verse stresses the importance of obedience to God's laws. The Hebrew word for "careful" (שָׁמַר) implies diligent observance and protection of the commandments. "Statutes" (חֻקּוֹתַי) refers to the decrees given by God, underscoring the covenant relationship between God and His people. This reflects the biblical theme that true life and blessing come from adherence to God's will.

he will surely live
The promise of life is a central theme in Ezekiel's message. The Hebrew phrase (חָיֹה יִחְיֶה) is emphatic, assuring that the individual who lives righteously will experience life, both physically and spiritually. This assurance of life contrasts with the death that comes from sin, reinforcing the hope and renewal available through repentance and obedience. It reflects the heart of the Gospel message: that through Christ, we are offered eternal life.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) Why? Doth not the son bear?--It would be clearer to read this as a single question, "Why doth not the son, &c?" It is the question proposed by the people in objection to what has been declared. To them it seemed the law of nature, the necessity of the case, the teaching of history, that the son should bear the iniquity of his father. Their ideas had not risen to the conception of man's individual responsibility to God; to them the individual was still but a part of the nation or the family. They ask, therefore, why this universal law should now be reversed. It was not true that any law was reversed, it was only that the superior prevailed over the inferior law; but, as usual in such cases, the Divine word does not reason with the human objection, but in this and the following verse only reiterates most emphatically the law of individual responsibility.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. - Why? doth not the son, etc.? The words are better taken, with the LXX., Vulgate, Revised Version, and most critics, as a single question, Why doth not the son bear, etc.? What is the explanation of a fact which seemingly contradicts the teaching of the Law? The answer to the question seems at first only an iteration of what had been stated before. The son repents, and therefore does not bear his father's iniquity. A man is responsible for his own sins, and for those only. To think otherwise is to think of God as less righteous than man.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Yet you may ask,
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Why
מַדֻּ֛עַ (mad·du·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

should the son
הַבֵּ֖ן (hab·bên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

bear
נָשָׂ֥א (nā·śā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the iniquity
בַּעֲוֺ֣ן (ba·‘ă·wōn)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

of the father?’
הָאָ֑ב (hā·’āḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

Since the son
וְהַבֵּ֞ן (wə·hab·bên)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

has done
עָשָׂ֗ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

what is just
מִשְׁפָּ֧ט (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

and right,
וּצְדָקָ֣ה (ū·ṣə·ḏā·qāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

carefully
שָׁמַ֛ר (šā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

observing
וַיַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה (way·ya·‘ă·śeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

My statutes,
חֻקּוֹתַ֥י (ḥuq·qō·w·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute

he will surely live.
חָיֹ֥ה (ḥā·yōh)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 18:19 Yet say you Why does not (Ezek. Eze Ezk)