Ezekiel 18:8

8 1does not lend at interest 2or take any profit,[a] withholds his hand from injustice, 3executes true justice between man and man,

Ezekiel 18:8 Meaning and 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 Deuteronomy 23:20 ) ; 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something over and above the interest money or use, as a gratuity for lending it upon the said interest: [that] hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity;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 that which is sinful, as soon as it appears to him to be so, gets out of it, and abstains from it as soon as possible: hath executed true judgment between man and man;
whether in office as a judge, who sits on the bench for that purpose; or as an arbitrator chosen to decide matters in controversy between one man and another, and that does everything just and right between man and man.

Ezekiel 18:8 In-Context

6 if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity,
7 does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment,
8 does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man,
9 walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully--he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord GOD.
10 "If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, who does any of these things

Cross References 3

  • 1. ver. 13, 17; Ezekiel 22:12; Exodus 22:25; Psalms 15:5
  • 2. ver. 13, 17; Ezekiel 22:12; Exodus 22:25; Psalms 15:5
  • 3. Deuteronomy 1:16; Zechariah 8:16

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor; also verses 13, 17 (compare Leviticus 25:36)
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.