Ezekiel 18:6

And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

Ezekiel 18:6 (KJV)

Context

Ezekiel 18 addresses the exiled Israelites in Babylon, countering the proverb that children suffer for their parents’ sins. The chapter emphasizes individual responsibility: each person is judged by their own conduct. Verse 6 begins a description of a righteous man, listing specific behaviors that demonstrate his righteousness.

Meaning

The first clause, “hath not eaten upon the mountains,” refers to participating in idolatrous feasts. Mountains were sites of idol temples and altars, and eating there meant joining sacrificial meals offered to false gods.

The second clause, “neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,” describes refusing to look to idols for help or worship. This is a direct rejection of the false gods of the nation.

The third clause, “neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife,” prohibits adultery, affirming the righteous man’s commitment to sexual purity and respect for his neighbor’s marriage.

The fourth clause, “neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,” refers to observing Levitical laws of ritual purity, specifically abstaining from sexual relations during a woman’s menstrual period. This demonstrates commitment to the ceremonial and moral laws given to Israel.

Biblical connections

These four prohibitions cover both religious faithfulness (avoiding idolatry) and moral purity (avoiding sexual sin). The same list appears in Ezekiel 18:15, describing the righteous son, with the clause about the menstruous woman omitted. This repetition reinforces the standard of righteousness.

Application

True righteousness is demonstrated through concrete actions. Each individual is accountable to God for their own choices, and this verse calls believers to examine their lives for both vertical faithfulness toward God and horizontal purity toward others.

Reflection

Consider how your daily choices reflect a heart that turns from idolatry and honors God’s standards of purity. The righteous person’s conduct is marked by deliberate avoidance of sin, not merely outward compliance.