Ezekiel 18:6 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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,

Hath not eaten upon the mountains - the high place, where altars were reared. A double sin: sacrificing elsewhere than at the temple in Jerusalem, where only God sanctioned sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:13-14); and this to idols instead of to Yahweh. "Eaten" refers to the feasts which were connected with the offering of sacrifices (see Exodus 32:6; Deuteronomy 32:38; Judges 9:27; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Corinthians 8:10; 1 Corinthians 10:7).

Neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols - namely, in adoration (Psalms 121:1). The superstitious are compared to harlots: their eyes go eagerly after spiritual lusts. The righteous man not merely refrains from the act, but from the glance of spiritual lust (Job 31:1; Matthew 5:28). Idols of ... Israel - not merely these of the Gentiles, but even those of Israel. The fashions of his countrymen could not lead him astray.

Neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife. Not only does he shrink from spiritual, but also from carnal adultery (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18).

Neither hath come near to a menstruous woman. Leprosy and elephantiasis were said to be the fruit of such a connection (Jerome). Chastity is to be observed even toward one's own wife (Leviticus 18:19; Leviticus 20:18).

Ezekiel 18:6

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,