Ezekiel 18:16

Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, [but] hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

Neither hath oppressed {H3238} any {H376}, hath not withholden {H2254} the pledge {H2258}, neither hath spoiled {H1497} by violence {H1500}, but hath given {H5414} his bread {H3899} to the hungry {H7457}, and hath covered {H3680} the naked {H5903} with a garment {H899},

wrong others, keep pledged property or take by robbery, but gives his food to the hungry and clothing to those in need of it;

He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.

neither hath wronged any, hath not taken aught to pledge, neither hath taken by robbery, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

Ezekiel 18:16 is part of a profound chapter in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet directly challenges a popular proverb among the exiled Israelites: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Ezekiel 18:2). This proverb suggested that the current generation was suffering solely due to the sins of their ancestors. God, through Ezekiel, vehemently refutes this notion, emphasizing individual accountability for one's own actions.

The chapter outlines the characteristics of a righteous man (verses 5-9), then contrasts him with his wicked son (verses 10-13), and finally describes the righteous grandson (verses 14-17), proving that righteousness is a personal choice, not an inherited trait. Verse 16 details the positive actions of this righteous individual, highlighting his compassion and integrity, even if his father was wicked. The historical backdrop is the Babylonian exile, a time when understanding God's justice and individual responsibility was crucial for the exiled community.

Key Themes

  • Active Righteousness: This verse demonstrates that righteousness is not merely the absence of evil, but the presence of positive, compassionate action. The righteous person actively avoids wrongdoing and proactively does good.
  • Social Justice and Compassion: "Hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment" are direct commands for charity and care for the vulnerable. This aligns with broader biblical teachings on caring for the poor and marginalized.
  • Integrity in Dealings: "Hath not withheld the pledge" and "neither hath spoiled by violence" emphasize ethical conduct in financial and social interactions, forbidding exploitation, extortion, or robbery.
  • Divine Justice: The verse reinforces the chapter's overarching message that God judges each person fairly based on their own choices and conduct, not inherited guilt from previous generations.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term for "pledge" (Hebrew: ḥabōl) refers to an item taken as security for a loan. Mosaic Law often placed restrictions on what could be taken as a pledge and for how long, especially if it was essential for survival (e.g., a poor person's cloak, which had to be returned by nightfall, Exodus 22:27). Not withholding it demonstrates compassion and adherence to the spirit of the law.
  • "Spoiled by violence" (Hebrew: gāzal) implies robbery, extortion, or taking by force, further emphasizing the righteous person's commitment to non-violence and respect for property rights.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 18:16 offers timeless principles for righteous living today, reminding us that true faith is evidenced by our actions:

  • Personal Accountability: We are individually responsible before God for our choices and deeds, regardless of our upbringing or societal circumstances.
  • Active Compassion: The call to feed the hungry and clothe the naked is a timeless directive for showing practical love and service to those in need. This resonates with Christ's teaching on caring for "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40).
  • Ethical Conduct: The verse encourages integrity in all our dealings, promoting fairness, honesty, and justice in our economic and social interactions.
  • Hope for Transformation: It provides hope that anyone, regardless of their past or family history, can choose a path of righteousness and find favor and life with God.
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 18:7

    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;

  • Proverbs 25:21

    ¶ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

  • Ecclesiastes 11:1

    ¶ Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

  • Ecclesiastes 11:2

    Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

  • Luke 11:41

    But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

  • Isaiah 58:7

    [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

  • Isaiah 58:10

    And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:

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