Ezekiel 18:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 18:1-9

Evil manners, we say, beget good laws; and in like manner sometimes unjust reflections occasion just vindications; evil proverbs beget good prophecies. Here is, I. An evil proverb commonly used by the Jews in their captivity. We had one before (Ezek. 12:22) and a reply to it; here we have another. That sets God's justice at defiance: ?The days are prolonged and every vision fails; the threatenings are a jest.? This charges him with injustice, as if the judgments executed were a wrong: ?You use... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:8

He that hath not given forth upon usury ,.... Money, victuals, or any other thing, which was forbidden the Jews to take of their brethren, though they might of strangers, Deuteronomy 23:19 ; neither hath taken any increase : or interest; or rather something over and above the interest money or use, as a gratuity for lending it upon the said interest: that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity ; not only that now mentioned, but all others; who, having inadvertently engaged in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 18:8

10. Hath not given forth upon usury - יתן לא בנשך beneshech lo yitten . נשך nasach signifies to bite; usury is properly so termed, because it bites into and devours the principal. Usury signifies, with us, exacting unlawful interest for money; and taking the advantage of a man's necessities to advance him cash on exorbitant profit. This bites the receiver in his property, and the lender in his salvation. 11. Neither hath taken any increase - In lending has not required more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:5-9

The verses that follow are noticeable as forming one of the most complete pictures of a righteous life presented in the Old Testament. It ads characteristic of Ezekiel that he starts from the avoidance of sins against the first table of the commandments. To eat upon the mountains was to take part in the sacrificial feasts on the places, of which he had already spoken ( Ezekiel 16:16 ; comp. Ezekiel 22:9 ; Deuteronomy 12:2 ). The words, lifted up his eyes, as in Deuteronomy 4:19 and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:5-9

The just man delineated, "But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right," etc. I. THE CHARACTER MENTIONED . "If a man be just," or righteous. This justness or righteousness is not merely a state of correct opinion; or of becoming feeling on moral questions; or of religious profession ( Matthew 7:21 ). It is a condition of character. The just man "is marked by this, that his settled principles, his customary desire, is to do, not what is pleasant, not what is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:5-18

The moral alternative. With a legal minuteness, and with a directness and plainness becoming to the teacher of practical morality, the prophet presents the alternative and antithesis of human life. If not in every particular, still in almost every particular, the picture of the good and of the bad man printed in this passage would be admitted by moralists of every school to be faithful and fair. I. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE GOOD AND OF THE BAD MAN . As the classes are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:5-24

God's remonstrance with man's reason. It is an act of singular kindness that God should stoop to reason with the perverted mind of man. It had been a pleasure to instruct the uncorrupted mind; but now that the instrument is injured, it requires infinitely more patience and skill to deal with it. Yet God deigns to explain his principles of rule, and will eventually vindicate, as supremely just, every secret act. But sinful men are self-blinded. I. WE ARE REMINDED OF MAN 'S ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:8

He that hath not given forth his money upon usury. The word "usury," we must remember, is used, not, as with us, for exorbitant interest above the market rate, but for interest of any kind. This was allowed in commercial dealings with foreigners ( Deuteronomy 23:20 ), but was altogether forbidden in the ease of loans to Israelites ( Exodus 22:25 ; Le Exodus 25:35 , Exodus 25:37 ; Deuteronomy 23:19 : Isaiah 24:2 ). The principle implied in this distinction was that, although it... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 18:8

Usury - is the profit exacted for the loan of money, “increase” that which is taken for goods; both are forbidden Leviticus 25:36; Deuteronomy 23:19. The placing out of capital at interest for commercial purposes is not taken into consideration. The case is that of money lent to a brother in distress. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 18:5-9

Ezekiel 18:5-9. If a man be just Or righteous, rather, as the word צדיק properly signifies; for it is not mere honesty, but true religion that is intended. And hath not eaten upon the mountains Feasted on the sacrifices they offered to false gods. Idolatrous worship was commonly performed upon mountains or high places; and eating part of the sacrifice was properly maintaining communion with the idol to which it was offered. Neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols In prayer and... read more

Group of Brands