Ezekiel 20:11

11 et dedi eis praecepta mea et iudicia mea ostendi eis quae faciat homo et vivat in eis

Ezekiel 20:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 20:11

And I gave them my statutes
The precepts of his law, the law on Mount Sinai, of which there were not the like among other nations; nor were they given unto them, but were a special gift unto Israel, and greatly to be valued, ( Deuteronomy 4:8 ) ( Psalms 147:19 Psalms 147:20 ) ( 19:8-10 ) ; and showed them judgments:
the nature, use, and excellency of the the necessity and advantage of observing them: the same as before, called "statutes", because appointed, fixed, and certain, being of inviolable and lasting obligation; and "judgments", being according to strict justice and equity: these, though they were originally written on man's heart, yet so obliterated by sin that there was need not only of their being afresh written and published, but of their being taught and made known; or of pointing out the use of them, and obligation to them: which [if] a man do, he shall live in them;
or "by them" F7; in the land of Canaan, enjoying all the blessings of a long and happy life: reference seems to be had to ( Leviticus 18:5 ) . The Targum adds,

``in eternal life;''
but eternal life is not to be obtained by the works of the law, since no man can perfectly obey or fulfil it, but is the pure gift of the grace of God.
FOOTNOTES:

F7 (Mhb) "per ea", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Piscator; "propter ea", Pagninus.

Ezekiel 20:11 In-Context

9 et feci propter nomen meum ut non violaretur coram gentibus in quarum medio erant et inter quas apparui eis ut educerem eos de terra Aegypti
10 eieci ergo eos de terra Aegypti et eduxi in desertum
11 et dedi eis praecepta mea et iudicia mea ostendi eis quae faciat homo et vivat in eis
12 insuper et sabbata mea dedi eis ut esset signum inter me et eos et scirent quia ego Dominus sanctificans eos
13 et inritaverunt me domus Israhel in deserto in praeceptis meis non ambulaverunt et iudicia mea proiecerunt quae faciens homo vivet in eis et sabbata mea violaverunt vehementer dixi ergo ut effunderem furorem meum super eos in deserto et consumerem eos
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.