Ezekiel 18:15

[That] hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,

That hath not eaten {H398} upon the mountains {H2022}, neither hath lifted up {H5375} his eyes {H5869} to the idols {H1544} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, hath not defiled {H2930} his neighbour's {H7453} wife {H802},

He doesn't eat on the mountains, raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Isra'el, defile his neighbor's wife,

He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.

that hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbor’s wife,

Context

Ezekiel 18 is a pivotal chapter that directly challenges a common proverb among the exiles in Babylon: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Ezekiel 18:2). This proverb implied that the current generation was suffering due to the sins of their ancestors. God, through Ezekiel, vehemently rejects this notion, declaring that each individual is responsible for their own actions and will be judged accordingly. Verse 15 describes specific characteristics of a righteous person, contrasting them with the wicked described earlier in the chapter, reinforcing the principle of individual accountability before God.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of Idolatry: The phrase "hath not eaten upon the mountains" refers to participating in pagan sacrificial feasts held at high places or shrines. These were centers of Canaanite and Israelite idolatry, often involving immoral practices, and were direct violations of the First and Second Commandments. The righteous person avoids these abominable practices and does not "lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel," indicating a clear and exclusive devotion to the One True God despite widespread apostasy among his own people.
  • Moral Purity: "Hath not defiled his neighbour's wife" directly addresses the Seventh Commandment against adultery. This highlights the importance of sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage within God's covenant. A righteous person respects the marital bond and avoids actions that would violate trust, harmony, and purity within the community.
  • Individual Righteousness: This verse, within the broader context of Ezekiel 18, underscores that true righteousness is demonstrated through specific, obedient actions that reject the prevalent sins of the time. It emphasizes that one's standing before God is based on personal choices and adherence to His law, not on the sins or virtues of one's ancestors.

Linguistic Insights

The idiom "eaten upon the mountains" (כָּל מִדְּבַר הָהָרִים) is a vivid cultural reference. It signifies participation in forbidden pagan cultic practices, which often involved ritual prostitution and feasting associated with false gods on elevated shrines. It was a primary symbol of spiritual infidelity and covenant breaking in ancient Israel.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 18:15 remains profoundly relevant today, calling believers to a life of distinct separation from the world's idolatry and moral corruption:

  • Modern Idolatry: While we may not literally "eat upon the mountains," modern forms of idolatry can include placing ultimate trust, devotion, or value in anything other than God—such as wealth, power, fame, personal comfort, or even self. The call is to avoid anything that draws our ultimate allegiance away from God.
  • Sexual Purity: The prohibition against defiling one's neighbor's wife speaks to a timeless standard of sexual purity, respecting the sanctity of marriage and avoiding all forms of sexual immorality. This principle extends to purity in thought, word, and deed, encouraging a life that honors God in all relationships, as emphasized by Hebrews 13:4.
  • Personal Responsibility: The overarching message of Ezekiel 18 is that each person is responsible for their own spiritual choices. We cannot blame past generations, societal norms, or external pressures for our own failures to live righteously. True faith is demonstrated by actively choosing to obey God's commands and live a life of integrity and devotion.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 18:6

    [And] hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

  • Ezekiel 18:7

    And hath not oppressed any, [but] hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

  • Ezekiel 18:11

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

  • Ezekiel 18:13

    Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

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