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Ezekiel 18:12

Ezekiel 18:12 in Multiple Translations

He oppresses the poor and needy; he commits robbery and does not restore a pledge. He lifts his eyes to idols; he commits abominations.

Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,

hath wronged the poor and needy, hath taken by robbery, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,

Has done wrong to the poor and to him who is in need, and taken property by force, and has not given back to one in his debt what is his, and has given worship to images and has done disgusting things,

He exploits the poor and those in need. He robs others, and he doesn't give back what a debtor has given him as security. He worships idols. He commits disgusting sins.

Or hath oppressed the poore and needy, or hath spoyled by violence, or hath not restored the pledge, or hath lift vp his eyes vnto the idoles, or hath committed abomination,

The afflicted and needy he hath oppressed, Plunder he hath taken violently away, A pledge he doth not return, And unto the idols he hath lifted up his eyes, Abomination he hath done!

has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination,

Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath stripped by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination.

That grieveth the needy and the poor, that taketh away by violence, that restoreth not the pledge, and that lifteth up his eyes to idols, that committeth abomination:

He mistreats/oppresses poor and needy people. He robs people. If someone gives him his cloak to guaranteethat he will pay the money back, he never gives the cloak back to himbefore the sun goes down. He seeks help from idols. He does other detestable things.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 18:12

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Ezekiel 18:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB עָנִ֤י וְ/אֶבְיוֹן֙ הוֹנָ֔ה גְּזֵל֣וֹת גָּזָ֔ל חֲבֹ֖ל לֹ֣א יָשִׁ֑יב וְ/אֶל הַ/גִּלּוּלִים֙ נָשָׂ֣א עֵינָ֔י/ו תּוֹעֵבָ֖ה עָשָֽׂה
עָנִ֤י ʻânîy H6041 afflicted Adj
וְ/אֶבְיוֹן֙ ʼebyôwn H34 needy Conj | Adj
הוֹנָ֔ה yânâh H3238 to oppress V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
גְּזֵל֣וֹת gᵉzêlâh H1500 violence N-fp
גָּזָ֔ל gâzal H1497 to plunder V-Qal-Perf-3ms
חֲבֹ֖ל chăbôl H2258 pledge N-ms
לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part
יָשִׁ֑יב shûwb H7725 to return V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Conj | Prep
הַ/גִּלּוּלִים֙ gillûwl H1544 idol Art | N-mp
נָשָׂ֣א nâsâʼ H5375 to lift V-Qal-Perf-3ms
עֵינָ֔י/ו ʻayin H5869 eye N-cd | Suff
תּוֹעֵבָ֖ה tôwʻêbah H8441 abomination N-fs
עָשָֽׂה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 18:12

עָנִ֤י ʻânîy H6041 "afflicted" Adj
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Definition: 1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched 1d) humble, lowly
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor. See also: Exodus 22:24; Psalms 88:16; Psalms 9:13.
וְ/אֶבְיוֹן֙ ʼebyôwn H34 "needy" Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word describes someone who is needy or poor, often oppressed and in need of help from God. It appears in the Bible to describe those who are vulnerable and in need of deliverance. In the KJV, it is translated as beggar, needy, or poor man.
Definition: 1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person 2) subject to oppression and abuse 3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God 4) general reference to lowest class
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: beggar, needy, poor (man). See also: Exodus 23:6; Psalms 107:41; Psalms 9:19.
הוֹנָ֔ה yânâh H3238 "to oppress" V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
To oppress or treat someone violently, often implying a sense of injustice or wrongdoing, as found in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to oppress, suppress, treat violently, maltreat, vex, do wrong 1a) (Qal) to oppress, suppress 1b) (Hiphil) to treat violently, maltreat
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: destroy, (thrust out by) oppress(-ing, -ion, -or), proud, vex, do violence. See also: Exodus 22:20; Jeremiah 46:16; Psalms 74:8.
גְּזֵל֣וֹת gᵉzêlâh H1500 "violence" N-fp
This word means robbery or plunder, referring to taking something violently. It is used to describe spoil or violence in the Bible. The KJV translates it as spoil or violence.
Definition: plunder, spoil, robbery
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: that (he had robbed) (which he took violently away), spoil, violence. See also: Leviticus 5:23; Ezekiel 18:12; Isaiah 3:14.
גָּזָ֔ל gâzal H1497 "to plunder" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to take something by force, like plundering or robbing, and is used in stories like David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. It can also mean to strip or flay something, and is often associated with violence.
Definition: 1) to tear away, seize, plunder, tear off, pull off, rob, take away by force 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tear away, rob 1a2) to seize, plunder (with acc cognate) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be robbed 1b2) to be taken away
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: catch, consume, exercise (robbery), pluck (off), rob, spoil, take away (by force, violence), tear. See also: Genesis 21:25; Psalms 69:5; Psalms 35:10.
חֲבֹ֖ל chăbôl H2258 "pledge" N-ms
A pledge or security given for a debt, like a guarantee. In the Bible, it appears in books like Exodus and Job. It means something given as a promise to pay.
Definition: pledge Also means: cha.vo.lah (חֲבֹלָה "pledge" H2258B)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: pledge. See also: Ezekiel 18:7; Ezekiel 18:16; Ezekiel 33:15.
לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָשִׁ֑יב shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַ/גִּלּוּלִים֙ gillûwl H1544 "idol" Art | N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to an idol, which is an object worshipped as a god. It literally means a log or a round piece of wood, but it's used to describe false gods and idols in the Bible. It's often used in a negative sense to criticize idol worship.
Definition: idols
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: idol. See also: Leviticus 26:30; Ezekiel 18:12; Jeremiah 50:2.
נָשָׂ֣א nâsâʼ H5375 "to lift" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
עֵינָ֔י/ו ʻayin H5869 "eye" N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
תּוֹעֵבָ֖ה tôwʻêbah H8441 "abomination" N-fs
The Hebrew word for abomination refers to something disgusting, like idolatry or unclean food, and is often used to describe wickedness in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: abominable (custom, thing), abomination. See also: Genesis 43:32; Proverbs 26:25; Psalms 88:9.
עָשָֽׂה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 18:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Ezekiel 8:17 “Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see this? Is it not enough for the house of Judah to commit the abominations they are practicing here, that they must also fill the land with violence and continually provoke Me to anger? Look, they are even putting the branch to their nose!
2 Ezekiel 8:6 “Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what they are doing—the great abominations that the house of Israel is committing—to drive Me far from My sanctuary? Yet you will see even greater abominations.”
3 2 Kings 21:11 “Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin,
4 Amos 4:1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”
5 Zechariah 7:10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’
6 Ezekiel 18:16 He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
7 Ezekiel 18:6–7 He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her period. He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
8 James 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?
9 Leviticus 18:26–30 But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. For the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled. So if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it spewed out the nations before you. Therefore anyone who commits any of these abominations must be cut off from among his people. You must keep My charge not to practice any of the abominable customs that were practiced before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am the LORD your God.”
10 2 Kings 23:13 The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

Ezekiel 18:12 Summary

[This verse describes a person who does many wrong things, including treating the poor and needy unfairly, worshiping idols, and committing sinful actions. This kind of behavior is not pleasing to God and can have serious consequences, as seen in verses like Psalm 51:4 and Proverbs 21:2. We should strive to treat others with kindness and respect, and to worship only the one true God, as described in Exodus 20:3 and Deuteronomy 6:13. By doing so, we can demonstrate our love and commitment to God, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of actions are considered oppressive to the poor and needy in Ezekiel 18:12?

In this verse, oppressing the poor and needy refers to taking advantage of those who are vulnerable, similar to what is described in Exodus 22:22 and Deuteronomy 24:17, where the Israelites are warned against mistreating widows, orphans, and foreigners.

What does it mean to 'lift his eyes to idols' in this verse?

Lifting one's eyes to idols means to look to or worship false gods, which is a form of spiritual adultery, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:23 and Jeremiah 7:9, where the people are warned against worshiping idols and committing other sins.

How does this verse relate to the concept of personal responsibility in the Bible?

This verse emphasizes personal responsibility, as seen in Deuteronomy 24:16, where it is written that each person will die for their own sin, and not for the sins of their parents, highlighting the importance of individual accountability before God.

What are some examples of 'abominations' that the son commits in this verse?

While the verse does not provide specific examples of abominations, other verses like Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 describe various actions that are considered abominations, such as sexual immorality and idolatry, which are likely included in the son's actions described in Ezekiel 18:12.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do I treat those who are less fortunate than me, and am I guilty of oppressing them in any way?
  2. In what ways might I be 'lifting my eyes to idols' in my own life, and how can I turn my focus back to the one true God?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I may be committing 'abominations' or sinful actions, and how can I repent and turn to God for forgiveness?
  4. How can I demonstrate my love and commitment to God by treating others with kindness, respect, and compassion, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 18:12

Hath oppressed the poor and needy,.... Who are weak, and have none to help them, and stand by them, and so are oppressed by such a man.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 18:12

If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things, If he beget a son that is a robber. The second case is that of an impious son of a pious father.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:12

See Poole "". In the seventh verse the words are more large, condemning the oppressing of any one; here they do more particularly condemn oppressing the poor, which have little to maintain and less to defend themselves; and needy is added, to render us more sensible of the greatness of this sin, which takes away right where we should show charity. Hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge: see . Hath lifted up his eyes to the idols: see . Hath committed abomination, i.e. come near to a menstruous woman, which is expressly named , and here pointed at; or else idolatry.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:12

Ezekiel 18:12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,Ver. 12. Hath committed abomination.] Such is every of the sins here instanced, whatsoever some can say in defence of them. Hath given forth upon usury, and all.

Sermons on Ezekiel 18:12

SermonDescription
Carter Conlon The Glory of God and the Image of Jealousy by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the preacher warns the congregation about the dangers of turning away from God and indulging in sinful behavior. He emphasizes that those who take pleasure in wicke
David Wilkerson The Crime of Unbelief by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher discusses a vision that the prophet Ezekiel had, where he witnessed a horrible crime being committed behind closed doors in God's house. The preacher e
Roy Hession (The Lord - Merciful and Gracious) 2. Man- Poor and Needy by Roy Hession In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the plight of being poor and needy in this world. He explains that those who are in such a condition have a special appeal to the merciful a
Brian Long Prepare to Meet Your God by Brian Long In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of genuine worship from the heart. He criticizes those who engage in religious activities without true devotion to God. The p
Russell Moore The Warfare of Suffering Brothers by Russell Moore In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of visiting an orphanage and adopting two boys. He describes the terrible conditions of the orphanage and the fear and horr

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