That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

EZEKIEL 18:17KJV
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Ezekiel 18:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 18:17 mean?

Ezekiel 18:17 says that a person who chooses to do what is just and right—turning away from taking advantage of the poor, refusing to charge unfair interest, and following God’s rules—will not be punished for his father’s sins but will live. The verse stresses personal responsibility: each person is judged for their own actions, not for their family’s wrongdoing.

In this chapter, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, who were in exile and struggling with the idea that children suffer for their parents’ sins. Ezekiel 18:17 is part of a larger explanation that everyone is accountable for their own choices, and that God’s justice is fair and individual. The verse lists specific actions—like not taking “usury” (unfair interest) or “increase” (extra profit from the needy)—to show what it looks like to live righteously.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 18:17

  • עָנִי (ʿaniy, H6041): “the poor.” This word highlights someone who is vulnerable and in need, emphasizing that righteousness includes how one treats those with less power or resources.
  • נֶשֶׁךְ (neshek, H5392) and תַּרְבִּית (tarbit, H8636): “usury” and “increase.” Both terms refer to charging interest, especially in a way that takes advantage of the needy. The verse singles out financial exploitation as a key example of unrighteousness.
  • מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, H4941) and חֻקָּה (chuqqah, H2708): “judgments” and “statutes.” These words refer to God’s commands and legal decisions, showing that righteousness means living by God’s standards, not just avoiding obvious wrongdoing.

Why Ezekiel 18:17 matters

  • Ezekiel 18:17 directly challenges the belief that children are automatically punished for their parents’ sins, making clear that God judges each person individually.
  • The verse gives practical examples—like not exploiting the poor or charging unfair interest—so readers understand that righteousness is shown in everyday actions.
  • This verse is part of a larger argument in Ezekiel 18 that God’s justice is fair and personal, which would have been a comforting and clarifying message for people questioning why they were suffering in exile.

Where else these words appear

“increase” Hebrew H8636 · used in 6 verses

  • Leviticus 25:36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.
  • Proverbs 28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
  • Ezekiel 18:13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

“usury” Hebrew H5392 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
  • Deuteronomy 23:19 Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:
  • Ezekiel 18:8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,

“poor” Hebrew H6041 · used in 78 verses

  • Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
  • Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
  • Proverbs 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

“statutes” Hebrew H2708 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • 2 Kings 17:34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;