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Ezekiel 18:14

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Now, lo, [if] he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,

Now, lo, if he beget {H3205} a son {H1121}, that seeth {H7200} all his father's {H1} sins {H2403} which he hath done {H6213}, and considereth {H7200}, and doeth {H6213} not such like {H2004},

"But now suppose he has a son who sees all the sins his father committed, thinks about them, and behaves differently.

Now suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father has committed, considers them, and does not do likewise:

Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins, which he hath done, and feareth, and doeth not such like;

Commentary

Ezekiel 18:14 is a pivotal verse in the prophet Ezekiel's discourse on individual responsibility, directly challenging the prevailing misconception that children were punished for their parents' sins. This verse presents a scenario where a son of a wicked father chooses a different path, highlighting God's justice and the importance of personal moral choice.

Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel chapter 18, where God directly confronts the popular Israelite proverb: "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 due to the iniquity of their ancestors, fostering a sense of fatalism and injustice. God emphatically declares, "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" (Ezekiel 18:4). The chapter then illustrates three cases: a righteous man, a wicked son of a righteous man, and in verses 10-13, a wicked man. Verse 14, along with 15-17, presents the third case: a righteous son of a wicked father, demonstrating that righteousness is not inherited, nor is sin necessarily passed down.

Key Themes

  • Individual Responsibility: The core message is that each person is accountable for their own actions before God. The son is not condemned by his father's wickedness if he chooses to live righteously.
  • Moral Discernment and Choice: The verse emphasizes the son's active role: he "seeth all his father's sins," "considereth," and then "doeth not such like." This highlights the importance of observation, reflection, and intentional decision-making.
  • Breaking Cycles of Sin: This verse offers profound hope by showing that individuals can choose to break generational patterns of sin and unrighteousness. It's a testament to the power of personal repentance and transformation.
  • Divine Justice: God's justice is shown to be perfectly equitable, judging individuals based on their own conduct, not their lineage.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "seeth all his father's sins... and considereth" conveys a deep level of awareness and internal processing. The Hebrew word for "seeth" (ra'ah) implies not just casual observation, but a discerning perception. "Considereth" (from the root nasa' lev, literally "lifts up his heart" or "sets his mind") suggests careful thought, reflection, and a deliberate weighing of actions and consequences. It's an active mental engagement with the father's wrongdoings, leading to a conscious rejection of those paths.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 18:14 is profoundly relevant for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Examine Our Own Lives: Regardless of our family background or upbringing, we are personally responsible for our choices and actions. We cannot blame past generations for our present moral state.
  • Practice Discernment: Like the son, we are called to observe the world around us, including the mistakes of others, and wisely "consider" their implications. This discernment should lead us away from sin and towards righteousness.
  • Embrace Personal Transformation: The verse is an encouragement that with God's help, we can choose to live differently from those who came before us, or even from our own past selves. It underscores the power of repentance and the new life available through faith.
  • Trust in God's Justice: It reassures us that God's judgment is always fair and based on individual merit, offering hope to those who turn from wickedness and despair to those who persist in it. For a broader understanding of God's justice, you might explore Romans 2:6.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • 2 Chronicles 34:21 (4 votes)

    Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great [is] the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

  • Proverbs 23:24 (3 votes)

    The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him.

  • Matthew 23:32 (2 votes)

    Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

  • Ezekiel 20:18 (2 votes)

    But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:

  • 1 Peter 1:18 (2 votes)

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

  • Jeremiah 9:14 (2 votes)

    But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:

  • Jeremiah 8:6 (2 votes)

    I hearkened and heard, [but] they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.