Ezekiel 18:19

“Yet say ye, why? &c.] Why do you say so? why do you go on to assert that which is not fact, or which is contrary to fact, contrary to what we feel and experience every day, to say that children are not punished for their parents’ sins? these are the words of the murmuring, complaining, and blaspheming Jews, quarrelling with the prophet, and with the Lord himself: doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? have not we proof of it every day we live? are not our present case and circumstances a full evidence of it? or the words may be rendered, “why does not the son bear the iniquity of the father?” so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions; or, as the Targum, “why is not the…”

“Here the Jews object to the prophet's word and in their objection seem to seek a continuance of that very thing which they had originally made a matter of complaint. Therefore translate, "Wherefore doth not the son bear the iniquity of his father?" It now would seem a consolation to them to think the son might suffer for his father's misdeeds; for it would soothe their self-love to regard themselves as innocent sufferers for the guilt of others and would justify them in their present course of life, which they did not choose to abandon for a better. In reply, Ezekiel reiterates the truth of each being dealt with according to his own merits [FAIRBAIRN]. But GROTIUS supports English Version,…”

“Why?... - Rather, “Why doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father?” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Why: Exo 20:5; Deu 5:9; Kg2 23:26, Kg2 24:3, Kg2 24:4; Jer 15:4; Lam 5:7 When: Eze 20:18-20, Eze 20:24, Eze 20:30; Zac 1:3-6 Ezekiel 18:20”