What does Ezekiel 18:5-6 mean?
"But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, 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 18:5-6
The verse Ezekiel 18:5-6 from the King James Version of the Bible reads:
"5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
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,"
In these two verses, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking on behalf of God to convey the importance of living a just and righteous life. The verses outline specific actions and behaviors that are considered just and lawful in the eyes of God.
The theme of justice and righteousness is central to these verses. The concept of justice is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and it is often emphasized throughout the Bible. In this passage, the emphasis is on individual responsibility for one's actions and the importance of obeying God's laws. The verses suggest that a person who lives a just and lawful life is pleasing to God and will be rewarded accordingly.
The context of these verses is important in understanding their significance. The book of Ezekiel was written during a tumultuous time in Israel's history. The Israelites were in exile in Babylon, and Ezekiel was speaking to them about their faithfulness to God. The verses in chapter 18 are part of a larger passage that addresses the idea of individual responsibility for sin and righteousness. In this context, the verses serve as a reminder to the exiled Israelites that they have the power to choose righteousness and live in obedience to God, regardless of their circumstances.
Symbolism is also present in these verses. The mention of "eating upon the mountains" and "lifting up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel" alludes to the worship of false gods and engaging in idolatry. In the ancient Near East, mountains were often associated with pagan worship, and the act of eating and lifting up one's eyes to idols suggests participation in idolatrous rituals. By contrast, the mention of not defiling one's neighbor's wife and not coming near to a menstruous woman speaks to the importance of sexual purity and fidelity in the eyes of God.
Overall, Ezekiel 18:5-6 emphasizes the importance of living a just and righteous life according to God's standards. The verses convey a message of individual accountability for one's actions and the possibility of choosing righteousness despite challenging circumstances. The overarching themes of justice, righteousness, and individual responsibility are timeless and continue to resonate with believers today.
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Ezekiel 18:5-6 Artwork
Ezekiel 18:5-6 - "But if a man is just and does what is lawful and right— If he has not eaten on the mountains, nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, nor defiled his neighbor’s wife, nor approached a woman during her impurity."
"But if a man is just and does what is lawful and right— If he has not eaten on the mountains, nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, nor defiled his neighbor’s wife, nor approached a woman during her impurity." - Ezekiel 18:5-6
Ezekiel 18:5 - "¶ But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,"
"¶ But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right," - Ezekiel 18:5
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 6:5 And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars.
Ezekiel 6:5 And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars.
Ezekiel 6:5 And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars.
Ezekiel 5:6 - "And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them."
Ezekiel 14:6
Ezekiel 21:18 - "¶ The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,"
Ezekiel 18:1 - "The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,"
Ezekiel 1:6-13
"And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars." - Ezekiel 6:5
Ezekiel 42:18 - "He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed."
Ezekiel 40:18 - "And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement."
Matthew 18:6
Matthew 18:6
Matthew 6:18
Ezekiel 10:18 - "Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims."
Galatians 5:5-6
Ezekiel 5:5 - "¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her."
Matthew 6:18
Matthew 18:6
Genesis 18-6
Genesis 18-6
Genesis 18-5
Ezekiel 12:18 - "Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;"
Ezekiel 6:1 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 18:10 - "¶ If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,"