Ezekiel 18:4

Ezekiel 18:5

Ezekiel 18:6

But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,

But if a man {H376} be just {H6662}, and do {H6213} that which is lawful {H4941} and right {H6666},

"Consider someone who is righteous, who does what is lawful and right.

Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right:

But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,

Commentary on Ezekiel 18:5 (KJV)

Ezekiel 18:5 introduces the foundational premise of God's declaration regarding individual responsibility, a central theme throughout the entire chapter. This verse begins to define what constitutes a righteous person in the eyes of God, setting the stage for the detailed examples that follow.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, a time of profound national crisis for Israel. Many exiles clung to a common proverb, "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 solely for the sins of their ancestors, fostering a sense of fatalism and injustice. God, through Ezekiel, vehemently refutes this notion, emphasizing a radical shift towards individual accountability. Verse 5 begins to outline the characteristics of a righteous individual who will live, directly challenging the prevailing belief in automatic generational guilt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Individual Accountability: This verse immediately establishes the principle that God judges each person based on their own conduct. It sets the stage for the revolutionary idea that one's spiritual standing is determined by personal choices, not by the actions of parents or ancestors.
  • Definition of Righteousness: The terms "just," "lawful," and "right" collectively describe a life lived in alignment with God's covenant and moral law. It's not merely about ritualistic adherence, but about a comprehensive lifestyle of ethical integrity and obedience.
  • Divine Justice: Ezekiel 18:5 highlights God's impartial justice. He does not condemn the righteous with the wicked, nor does He automatically punish children for their parents' sins. Instead, He meticulously observes and responds to each person's walk. This divine principle underscores God's fairness and His desire for individual repentance and faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words behind "just," "lawful," and "right" offer deeper insight:

  • "Just" (צַדִּיק - tzaddiq): This term signifies someone who is righteous, innocent, or lawful. It describes a person who conforms to a moral standard, particularly God's standard of uprightness and justice. It implies integrity in character and conduct.
  • "Lawful and right" (מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה - mishpat u'tzedaqah): These two words are often paired in Hebrew to denote comprehensive righteousness. Mishpat refers to justice, judgment, or what is due according to law or divine decree. Tzedaqah refers to righteousness, equity, or what is morally right. Together, they encompass both adherence to legal and judicial principles and a deep commitment to moral and ethical uprightness in all aspects of life. It speaks to living according to God’s established order and moral principles, not just fulfilling a minimum requirement.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 18:5 carries profound implications for believers today:

  1. Personal Responsibility: It strongly emphasizes that each person is accountable for their own actions and choices before God. While we are influenced by our environment and upbringing, ultimate responsibility for our spiritual state rests with us. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that God will render to every man according to his deeds.
  2. Holistic Righteousness: Being "just" involves more than just outward conformity; it requires inward character that leads to "lawful and right" actions. True faith manifests in ethical living, compassion, and obedience to God’s commands, as seen in passages like Micah 6:8.
  3. Hope and Encouragement: This verse offers immense hope, particularly for those who might feel burdened by past family sins or societal injustices. It assures that God sees and honors individual faithfulness, providing a pathway to life and blessing regardless of one's background. It underscores God's desire for all to turn from wickedness and live (Ezekiel 18:32).
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.

  • Ezekiel 33:14

    Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

  • 1 John 3:7

    Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

  • James 1:22

    But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

  • James 1:25

    But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

  • 1 John 2:29

    If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

  • Psalms 24:4

    He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

  • Psalms 24:6

    This [is] the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

Search Scripture