Ezekiel 18:20

KJV

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

KJV (with Strong's)

The soul {H5315} that sinneth {H2398}, it shall die {H4191}. The son {H1121} shall not bear {H5375} the iniquity {H5771} of the father {H1}, neither shall the father {H1} bear {H5375} the iniquity {H5771} of the son {H1121}: the righteousness {H6666} of the righteous {H6662} shall be upon him, and the wickedness {H7564} of the wicked {H7563} shall be upon him.

Complete Jewish Bible

The person who sins is the one that will die - a son is not to bear his father's guilt with him, nor is the father to bear his son's guilt with him; but the righteousness of the righteous will be his own, and the wickedness of the wicked will be his own.

Berean Standard Bible

The 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.

American Standard Version

The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 18:20 serves as a pivotal declaration of God's individual justice, directly refuting the popular Israelite proverb of inherited guilt. It unequivocally states that each person is accountable for their own actions and will face the consequences of their own sin or receive the reward of their own righteousness. This verse emphasizes personal responsibility, asserting that neither children nor parents bear the iniquity of the other, but rather, one's own moral standing determines one's destiny before God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 18 stands as a profound theological discourse within the larger prophetic book, specifically addressing the exiles' fatalistic belief in inherited guilt, encapsulated by the proverb, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" ([Ezekiel 18:2](/ezekiel/18-2 "Ezekiel 18:2 - The Proverb of Sour Grapes")). The chapter systematically dismantles this misconception by presenting various scenarios of righteous and wicked individuals, demonstrating God's consistent and just dealings with each person based on their own conduct. Verse 20 functions as the emphatic summary and theological climax of this argument, reiterating the principle of individual accountability established throughout the chapter, particularly building on the examples given in [Ezekiel 18:5-18](/ezekiel/18-5 "Ezekiel 18:5-18 - Examples of Righteous and Wicked Conduct").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish people, exiled in Babylon, were grappling with immense suffering and national calamity. Many sought to explain their predicament by attributing it to the sins of previous generations, viewing themselves as victims of a collective curse. This perspective provided a psychological escape from personal culpability but also fostered despair, as it implied no individual action could alter their fate. The proverb of the "sour grapes" was a common expression of this sentiment. Ezekiel's ministry aimed to reorient their understanding of God's justice, emphasizing that while corporate sin certainly existed, God's ultimate judgment was on individual hearts and actions, offering a path to repentance and restoration for each person, regardless of their lineage or the sins of their ancestors.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of Ezekiel 18, powerfully encapsulated in verse 20, is **individual accountability** before God. This chapter also highlights God's **justice and righteousness**, demonstrating that His judgments are not arbitrary or collective but precise and fair, based on personal conduct. A related theme is **repentance and restoration**, as the chapter goes on to declare that even a wicked person can turn from their ways and live, and a righteous person can fall into sin and die ([Ezekiel 18:21-28](/ezekiel/18-21 "Ezekiel 18:21-28 - The Possibility of Repentance and Reversal")). This underscores the dynamic nature of one's relationship with God and the continuous call to personal faithfulness, rather than relying on inherited merit or being condemned by inherited guilt.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, `nephesh` refers to more than just an immaterial part of a person; it signifies the entire living being, the individual person, the very essence of one's vitality and self. When the text says "The soul that sinneth," it emphasizes that it is the whole individual, in their conscious and volitional capacity, who commits the act of sin and thus faces its consequences. It underscores personal, holistic responsibility.
* **Sinneth (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** From H2398, `châṭâʼ` literally means "to miss the mark." Figuratively, it denotes failing to meet God's standard, going astray, or incurring guilt through transgression. It encompasses a wide range of moral failings, from specific acts to a general state of rebellion. The active participle "sinneth" highlights the ongoing or characteristic action of the individual.
* **Die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** From H4191, `mûwth` signifies cessation of life, but in a theological context, especially in Ezekiel, it carries the profound meaning of spiritual death and separation from God. While it can imply physical death as a consequence, its primary emphasis here is on the ultimate spiritual alienation and judgment that results from unrepented sin, a state antithetical to true life found in communion with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The soul that sinneth, it shall die."**: This opening clause establishes the fundamental principle of individual culpability. It asserts that the person (the "soul," _nephesh_) who actively chooses to transgress God's law (`sinneth`) is the one who will inevitably face the consequence of spiritual separation and judgment (`die`). This directly refutes any notion of collective or inherited punishment for sin.
* **"The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son:"**: This clause explicitly negates the idea of intergenerational transference of guilt or punishment. "Iniquity" (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_) refers to perversity, moral evil, and the guilt or punishment associated with it. The emphatic repetition underscores that God's justice operates on an individual basis; a person is not condemned for the sins of their ancestors, nor are parents punished for their children's wrongdoing. Each stands before God on their own merit or demerit.
* **"the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."**: This concluding statement powerfully reinforces the principle of individual accountability by applying it to both positive and negative moral states. "Righteousness" (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_) refers to rectitude, justice, and moral virtue, while "wickedness" (Hebrew, _rishʻâh'_) signifies moral wrong and active badness. The phrase "shall be upon him" means that the consequences, whether blessing or judgment, are directly and personally borne by the one who exhibits that characteristic. One's own conduct, not another's, determines one's ultimate spiritual standing and destiny.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 18:20 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, setting up direct contrasts between opposing concepts: "soul that sinneth" vs. "righteous" and "wicked," and their respective outcomes of "die" vs. having "righteousness...upon him" or "wickedness...upon him." This stark contrast highlights the clear moral choices and their inevitable, individual consequences. **Repetition** is also used effectively, particularly in the phrases "son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son," and the parallel structure of "righteousness of the righteous...wickedness of the wicked." This repetition serves to emphasize and solidify the core principle of individual accountability, making it undeniable. The verse also functions as a **Proverbial Statement** itself, offering a concise, memorable truth that directly counters the popular "sour grapes" proverb ([Ezekiel 18:2](/ezekiel/18-2 "Ezekiel 18:2 - The Proverb of Sour Grapes")), using similar declarative language to establish a new, divinely revealed principle of justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 18:20 is a cornerstone passage for understanding God's individual justice, a truth that counters both ancient and modern tendencies to attribute personal suffering solely to ancestral sin or societal failures. It establishes that while corporate sin and its consequences are real, God's ultimate judgment and salvation are rendered on the basis of individual choices and actions. This principle underscores human free will and the profound responsibility each person bears before their Creator. It also lays the groundwork for understanding the nature of sin as a personal transgression and righteousness as a personal pursuit, setting the stage for the New Testament's emphasis on individual faith and repentance.

* [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Punishment for Sin")
* [Jeremiah 31:29-30](/jeremiah/31-29 "Jeremiah 31:29-30 - The New Covenant and Individual Responsibility")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 18:20 offers both a sobering warning and a liberating truth for contemporary believers. It confronts the human tendency to externalize blame, whether by pointing to family history, societal structures, or the actions of others, as the sole cause of one's spiritual condition. This verse demands personal introspection and ownership of our choices, reminding us that ultimately, our standing before God is determined by our own walk with Him. It empowers individuals by asserting that regardless of their past or their lineage, a path to righteousness and life is open through personal repentance and obedience. This truth fosters genuine humility, encourages active pursuit of holiness, and cultivates a deep sense of personal responsibility for one's spiritual journey and eternal destiny.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to blame external factors or the actions of others for my own spiritual shortcomings?**
* **How does the principle of individual accountability motivate me to pursue personal holiness and repentance more diligently?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of personal responsibility for my choices and their impact on my relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Does Ezekiel 18:20 contradict other biblical passages that speak of generational curses or the consequences of sin affecting future generations?**

Answer: Ezekiel 18:20 does not contradict passages like [Exodus 20:5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5 - Consequences of Idolatry on Generations") or [Lamentations 5:7](/lamentations/5-7 "Lamentations 5:7 - Suffering for Ancestors' Sins"), but rather clarifies and balances them. While the Bible acknowledges that the *consequences* of sin (e.g., societal breakdown, inherited predispositions, or the effects of poor choices) can indeed extend across generations, Ezekiel 18:20 emphatically declares that God's *judgment* for sin is strictly individual. No one is condemned or saved based on the righteousness or wickedness of their ancestors. God holds each person morally accountable for their own choices. The "sour grapes" proverb ([Ezekiel 18:2](/ezekiel/18-2 "Ezekiel 18:2 - The Proverb of Sour Grapes")) represented a fatalistic misinterpretation of God's justice, which Ezekiel corrects by emphasizing that while the *effects* of sin may linger, the *guilt* and *punishment* for sin are borne by the individual who commits it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 18:20, with its unwavering declaration of individual accountability, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse sternly states, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," it also implicitly highlights the human predicament: all have sinned and fall short of God's glory ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). The righteous standard demanded by the law, as seen in "the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him," is one that humanity, in its fallen state, cannot perfectly meet. Christ, however, perfectly fulfilled all righteousness on our behalf ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")). He, the sinless Son of God, uniquely bore the "iniquity" that was not His own, taking upon Himself the "wickedness of the wicked" so that those who believe in Him might receive His "righteousness" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His atoning death, Jesus absorbed the spiritual death that was the just consequence of our sin, offering eternal life to all who trust in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, the principle of individual accountability is not abolished but transformed: our destiny is still determined by our individual response, but now it is a response of faith in the One who bore our sin and offers His perfect righteousness as a free gift, ensuring that the "soul that sinneth" can find life through Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 14:6

But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Deuteronomy 24:16

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Ezekiel 18:4

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Jeremiah 31:29

In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.

Jeremiah 31:30

But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.

2 Chronicles 25:4

But he slew not their children, but [did] as [it is] written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.

Romans 2:6

Who will render to every man according to his deeds: