Ezekiel 18:11

And that doeth not any of those [duties], but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,

And that doeth {H6213} not any of those duties, but even hath eaten {H398} upon the mountains {H2022}, and defiled {H2930} his neighbour's {H7453} wife {H802},

whereas the father himself does none of them. He eats on the mountains, defiles his neighbor's wife,

though the father has done none of them: Indeed, the son eats at the mountain and defiles his neighbor’s wife.

and that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbor’s wife,

Commentary

Ezekiel 18:11 is part of a profound chapter in the book of Ezekiel that addresses the crucial theological concept of individual responsibility before God. This verse specifically describes some of the grave sins committed by a wicked person, contrasting sharply with the righteous individual portrayed earlier in the chapter.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel was speaking to the exiles in Babylon, who were struggling with the belief that they were being punished for the sins of their ancestors, encapsulated in the proverb, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Ezekiel 18:2). In response, God, through Ezekiel, declares that each person is accountable for their own actions and will be judged based on their personal righteousness or wickedness. Verses 10-13 illustrate the case of a wicked son, born to a righteous father (as described in Ezekiel 18:5-9), whose own sinful choices lead to his demise, demonstrating that lineage does not determine one's spiritual standing.

Key Themes

  • Individual Accountability: The verse underscores that personal actions, not inherited guilt, determine one's fate. The individual is held responsible for their own transgressions, regardless of their family's piety.
  • Idolatry and Forbidden Practices: "Eaten upon the mountains" refers to participation in pagan rituals and feasts on high places, which were centers of idolatrous worship in ancient Israel. This was a direct violation of God's covenant and a persistent sin among the Israelites (e.g., Deuteronomy 12:2).
  • Adultery and Moral Impurity: "Defiled his neighbour's wife" is a clear violation of the seventh commandment against adultery (Exodus 20:14). This act of sexual immorality was considered a severe offense, undermining the sanctity of marriage and community trust.
  • Consequences of Sin: These specific sins are presented as actions that lead to the death of the wicked person, emphasizing the grave spiritual and often physical repercussions of defying God's laws (Ezekiel 18:13).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "eaten upon the mountains" (Hebrew: אָכַל עַל הֶהָרִים - *’āḵal ‘al hehārîm*) is a concise idiom for participating in forbidden religious feasts associated with idol worship. These "high places" were often dedicated to Baal or Asherah, where food offered to idols was consumed. The term "defiled" (חִלֵּל - *ḥillēl*) signifies profaning or violating, indicating the severe breach of moral and covenantal purity through adultery.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 18:11, within its broader context, serves as a timeless reminder that:

  1. Personal Accountability is Paramount: We cannot blame our circumstances or upbringing for our moral choices. Each individual stands before God responsible for their own actions (Romans 14:12).
  2. Beware of Modern "Idolatry": While literal mountain feasts are rare today, "eating upon the mountains" can symbolize any spiritual compromise, placing anything—be it career, wealth, pleasure, or self—above God.
  3. Uphold Moral Purity: The sanctity of marriage and sexual purity remains a foundational principle for followers of God. Adultery, in its various forms, continues to be a grave sin that breaks trust and defiles.
  4. God's Justice is True: This verse reassures us that God's judgment is righteous and based on individual conduct, offering hope for the repentant and a warning for the unrepentant.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • James 2:17

    Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

  • John 15:14

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

  • Luke 11:28

    But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

  • Philippians 4:9

    Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

  • 1 John 3:22

    And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

  • John 13:17

    If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

  • 1 Kings 13:22

    But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which [the LORD] did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.
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