Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? Here the Jews object to the prophet's word, and in their objection seem to seek a continuance of that very thing which they had originally made a matter of complaint. Therefore translate, 'Wherefore doth not the son bear the iniquity of his father?' It now would seem a consolation to them to think the son might suffer for his father's misdeeds; because it would soothe their self-love to regard themselves as innocent sufferers for the guilt of others, and would justify them in their present course of life, which they did not choose to abandon for a better. In reply, Ezekiel reiterates the truth of each being dealt with according to his own merits (Fairbairn). But Grotius supports the English version, wherein the Jews contradict the prophet, "Why (sayest thou so)? doth not the son (often, as in our case, though innocent) bear (i:e., suffer for) the iniquity of the father?" Ezekiel replies, It is not as you say, but as I in the name of God say; 'When the son hath done that which is lawful. The English version is simpler than that of Fairbairn.