Violent acts within a family line illustrate that every person must personally choose righteousness because no one can rely on another’s merits for salvation.
Ezekiel records a solemn message from the LORD to His people, emphasizing individual accountability for wrongdoing. He describes various scenarios in a family line, illustrating how moral or immoral choices lead to different consequences for each generation. Here he writes, “Then he may have a violent son who sheds blood and who does any of these things to a brother” (v.10). In context, Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry took place among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, an ancient empire located in modern-day Iraq, near the fertile region of the Euphrates River. During his time of prophesying (c. 593-571 BC), Ezekiel stressed that even if a father is righteous, the son must follow God’s statutes for himself rather than depending on his father’s righteous standing. This verse points to acts of violence and bloodshed that symbolize how a new generation can choose to abandon God’s ways.
“Then he may have a violent son who sheds blood and who does any of these things to a brother” (v.10) also underscores the gravity of personal decision-making. The mention of a family bond being disregarded—where a son commits sins “to a brother”—highlights the potential depth of human rebellion. The broader text of Ezekiel 18 focuses on the principle that each individual is responsible for his or her own sin (see also Romans 14:12). In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about personal responsibility and encourages those who follow Him to recognize their own need for repentance and transformation (see Matthew 7:1-5). This verse in Ezekiel, therefore, connects with the consistent biblical theme that evil actions and violent tendencies are choices for which each person must answer.
Each new generation must choose how they will walk before the LORD, regardless of their ancestors’ deeds.
He warns that no matter the righteousness of a parent, a child who follows a path of violence will bear the consequences of those actions.
Even the most devout lineage cannot guarantee righteousness unless each individual surrenders to God’s will.
Set to dark mode
Ezekiel 18:10 meaning
Ezekiel records a solemn message from the LORD to His people, emphasizing individual accountability for wrongdoing. He describes various scenarios in a family line, illustrating how moral or immoral choices lead to different consequences for each generation. Here he writes, “Then he may have a violent son who sheds blood and who does any of these things to a brother” (v.10). In context, Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry took place among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, an ancient empire located in modern-day Iraq, near the fertile region of the Euphrates River. During his time of prophesying (c. 593-571 BC), Ezekiel stressed that even if a father is righteous, the son must follow God’s statutes for himself rather than depending on his father’s righteous standing. This verse points to acts of violence and bloodshed that symbolize how a new generation can choose to abandon God’s ways.
“Then he may have a violent son who sheds blood and who does any of these things to a brother” (v.10) also underscores the gravity of personal decision-making. The mention of a family bond being disregarded—where a son commits sins “to a brother”—highlights the potential depth of human rebellion. The broader text of Ezekiel 18 focuses on the principle that each individual is responsible for his or her own sin (see also Romans 14:12). In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about personal responsibility and encourages those who follow Him to recognize their own need for repentance and transformation (see Matthew 7:1-5). This verse in Ezekiel, therefore, connects with the consistent biblical theme that evil actions and violent tendencies are choices for which each person must answer.
Each new generation must choose how they will walk before the LORD, regardless of their ancestors’ deeds.
He warns that no matter the righteousness of a parent, a child who follows a path of violence will bear the consequences of those actions.
Even the most devout lineage cannot guarantee righteousness unless each individual surrenders to God’s will.