Ezekiel 18:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

The word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

American Standard Version:

The word of Jehovah came unto me again, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The word^{H1697} of the LORD^{H3068} came unto me again, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Ezekiel 18:1

Ezekiel 18:1 marks the beginning of a new prophetic message from God to the prophet Ezekiel. This verse sets the stage for a significant discourse on individual responsibility and the nature of divine justice. The historical context of this verse is the Babylonian exile, a period when many Jews were taken into captivity in Babylon following the defeat of Judah. During this time of crisis and displacement, questions about God's fairness and theodicy were especially poignant.

The themes introduced in Ezekiel 18:1 revolve around the concept of personal accountability in contrast to the idea that God punishes children for the sins of their fathers. This verse is a prelude to a detailed explanation that follows, where God, through Ezekiel, refutes the popular proverb of the time, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Ezekiel 18:2). Instead, God asserts that each person is responsible for their own actions and will be judged accordingly. The chapter goes on to outline how righteousness and wickedness have their own consequences, and it emphasizes the possibility of repentance and the hope for life over death.

This verse is a direct communication from God, signaled by "The word of the LORD came unto me again," indicating that Ezekiel is receiving a divine revelation, which is a common motif in prophetic literature. It serves as a pivotal point in the book, offering theological clarity and pastoral comfort to a community grappling with the implications of their national sin and the prospects of restoration and redemption.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.