New International Version He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. New Living Translation He does not exploit the poor, but instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. English Standard Version does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, Berean Standard Bible He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. Berean Literal Bible and he has not oppressed a man; he has not withheld a pledge with violence he has not robbed; he has given his bread to the hungry and the naked he has covered with clothing; King James Bible Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, New King James Version Has not oppressed anyone, Nor withheld a pledge, Nor robbed by violence, But has given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked with clothing; New American Standard Bible nor oppressed anyone, nor retained a pledge, nor committed robbery; instead, he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, NASB 1995 or oppress anyone, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery, but he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, NASB 1977 or oppress anyone, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery, but he gives his bread to the hungry, and covers the naked with clothing, Legacy Standard Bible or mistreat anyone, or retain a pledge or commit robbery, but he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing; Amplified Bible or oppress anyone, or take anything in pledge, or commit robbery, but he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, Berean Annotated Bible He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. Christian Standard Bible He doesn’t oppress anyone, hold collateral, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. Holman Christian Standard Bible He doesn’t oppress anyone, hold collateral, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. American Standard Version neither hath wronged any, hath not taken aught to pledge, neither hath taken by robbery, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; Contemporary English Version He never cheats or robs anyone and doesn't even demand security for a loan. He gives food and clothes to the poor English Revised Version neither hath wronged any, hath not taken aught to pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, GOD'S WORD® Translation He doesn't oppress anyone. He doesn't keep the security for a loan. He doesn't rob anyone. He gives food to people who are hungry, and he gives clothes to those who are naked. Good News Translation or oppress anyone or rob anyone. He returns what a borrower gives him as security. He feeds the hungry and gives clothing to the naked. International Standard Version doesn't oppress anyone, doesn't take possession of a debtor's pledge, or doesn't steal, but instead shares his food with the hungry, gives clothes to those who are naked, NET Bible does not oppress anyone or keep what has been given in pledge, does not commit robbery, gives his food to the hungry, and clothes the naked, New Heart English Bible neither has wronged any, has not taken anything to pledge, neither has taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment; Webster's Bible Translation Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withheld the pledge, neither hath stripped by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. World English Bible hasn’t wronged any, hasn’t taken anything to pledge, hasn’t taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe has not oppressed a man, "" He has not bound a pledge, "" And he has not taken away plunder, "" He has given his bread to the hungry, "" And he covered the naked with a garment, Berean Literal Bible and he has not oppressed a man; he has not withheld a pledge with violence he has not robbed; he has given his bread to the hungry and the naked he has covered with clothing; Young's Literal Translation A man -- he hath not oppressed, A pledge he hath not bound, And plunder he hath not taken away, His bread to the hungry he hath given, And the naked he covered with a garment, Smith's Literal Translation And not oppressing a man, not binding the pledge, and not stripping off plunder, giving his bread to him hungry, and clothing the naked with a garment. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd hath not grieved any man, nor withholden the pledge, nor taken away with violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and covered the naked with a garment: Catholic Public Domain Version and who has not grieved any man, nor withheld the collateral, nor seized by violence, but instead has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment, New American Bible who does not oppress anyone, or exact a pledge, or commit robbery; who gives his food to the hungry and clothes the naked; New Revised Standard Version does not wrong anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleOppresses no man, takes no pledge from any one, extorts no one, but shall give his bread to the hungry and cover the naked with a garment; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Neither will he cheat a man, nor take away the security of a man, nor do harm, and he will give bread to the hungry and he will clothe the naked OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917neither hath wronged any, hath not taken aught to pledge, neither hath taken by robbery, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, Brenton Septuagint Translation and has not oppressed a man, and has not retained the pledge, nor committed robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has clothed the naked, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context A Proverb about Israel…15He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife. 16He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. 17He withholds his hand from harming the poor and takes no interest or usury. He keeps My ordinances and follows My statutes. Such a man will not die for his father’s iniquity. He will surely live.… Cross References He does not oppress another, Leviticus 19:13 You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand. Zechariah 7:10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. or retain a pledge, Exodus 22:26-27 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. Deuteronomy 24:10-13 When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security. / You are to stand outside while the man to whom you are lending brings the security out to you. / If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; … Amos 2:8 They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. And in the house of their God, they drink wine obtained through fines. or commit robbery. Proverbs 22:22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, Isaiah 61:8 For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them. Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. He gives his bread to the hungry Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, Isaiah 58:10 and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. and covers the naked with clothing. Matthew 25:36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ Isaiah 58:7 Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Job 31:19-20 if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak, / if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep, Isaiah 58:6-7 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Treasury of Scripture Neither has oppressed any, has not withheld the pledge, neither has spoiled by violence, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment, withholden the pledge. Ezekiel 18:7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; but hath Job 22:7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. Job 31:19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; Proverbs 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Jump to Previous Aught Bread Clothing Commit Commits Covered Covers Debt Exacts Exercised Food Force Garment Gives Goods Hungry Loan Naked Need Oppress Oppressed Pledge Provides Require Retain Robbery Spoiled Stripped Violence Withheld Withholden WrongedJump to Next Aught Bread Clothing Commit Commits Covered Covers Debt Exacts Exercised Food Force Garment Gives Goods Hungry Loan Naked Need Oppress Oppressed Pledge Provides Require Retain Robbery Spoiled Stripped Violence Withheld Withholden WrongedEzekiel 18 1. God defends his justice31. and exhorts to repentance He does not oppress another, The righteous son refuses the injustice practiced by his father and deals fairly with those in his power. Israel’s Law protected widows, orphans, foreigners, debtors, and the poor because the Lord hears the cry of the afflicted (Exodus 22:21–24). Lev 19:13 You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him.… or retain a pledge, A creditor was not permitted to keep collateral that deprived a poor borrower of necessary clothing or livelihood. Returning a cloak by sunset honored both the debtor’s dignity and God’s command to show mercy (Exodus 22:26–27; Deuteronomy 24:12–13). Exo 22:26-27 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral,… or commit robbery. He does not seize what belongs to another through violence, fraud, or abuse of power. Such conduct violated the commandment against stealing and marked the corruption condemned by Israel’s prophets (Exodus 20:15; Micah 2:2). Pro 22:22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor,… He gives his bread to the hungry Righteousness includes active generosity rather than mere avoidance of evil. Sharing food with the needy reflects the Lord’s care for the hungry and anticipates Christ’s command to serve Him by caring for the least of His brethren (Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:35). Mat 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat,… and covers the naked with clothing. Providing garments meets a basic human need and displays the mercy God requires of His people. The Lord Himself clothed Adam and Eve after their sin, and His servants are to reflect His compassion toward those without protection or provision (Genesis 3:21; Job 31:19–20). Mat 25:36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick… Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet in the Old Testament who conveyed God's messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. His prophecies often focused on individual responsibility and the need for personal righteousness. 2. Israelites The people of Israel, who were in exile in Babylon at the time of Ezekiel's prophecies. They were being called to repentance and personal accountability for their actions. 3. Babylon The place of exile for the Israelites, representing a period of judgment and reflection for the nation of Israel. Teaching Points Personal ResponsibilityEach individual is accountable for their actions. Ezekiel 18:16 highlights the importance of personal righteousness and integrity in our dealings with others. Compassion and Justice The verse calls believers to act justly and compassionately, restoring what is owed and providing for those in need. This reflects God's heart for justice and mercy. Practical Love True love for others is demonstrated through tangible actions, such as feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. This is a call to live out our faith in practical ways. Repentance and Change The context of Ezekiel 18 encourages turning away from sin and embracing a life that honors God through righteous actions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 18:16?2. How does Ezekiel 18:16 encourage us to show compassion to the poor? 3. What does "not oppress anyone" in Ezekiel 18:16 teach about justice? 4. How can we apply "restores his pledge" to modern financial practices? 5. Which New Testament teachings align with Ezekiel 18:16's call for righteousness? 6. How does Ezekiel 18:16 challenge us to live out our faith daily? 7. How does Ezekiel 18:16 challenge the concept of inherited sin or guilt? 8. What does Ezekiel 18:16 reveal about personal responsibility in biblical theology? 9. How does Ezekiel 18:16 align with the broader message of justice in the Bible? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 18? What Does Ezekiel 18:16 Mean He does not oppress anotherOppression is any use of power to crush, exploit, or intimidate. God repeatedly condemns it (Leviticus 25:17; Proverbs 14:31; Zechariah 7:9–10). In Ezekiel 18 the Lord sketches the life of a righteous man—someone who refuses to gain advantage by pushing others down. Justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8) mark every relationship he has. Or retain a pledge Under Moses’ law, collateral taken from a poor borrower had to be returned by sunset, so the man could sleep in his cloak (Exodus 22:26-27; Deuteronomy 24:10-13). Holding it overnight signaled cold-hearted greed. By promptly releasing the pledge, the righteous person values people over profit, mirroring God’s compassion (Psalm 103:13). Or commit robbery He steers clear of outright theft (Exodus 20:15; Leviticus 19:13) and the subtler forms that hide behind paperwork or intimidation (Psalm 62:10). His hands stay clean because he trusts God, not crooked gain (Proverbs 10:2; Ephesians 4:28). He gives his bread to the hungry Generosity flows naturally from a heart in tune with the Lord (Isaiah 58:7; Proverbs 22:9). Instead of clutching resources, he opens his hand (Luke 3:11) and finds that God replenishes what he shares (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Every meal becomes an opportunity to reflect Christ, who fed multitudes and still feeds souls today (Matthew 14:19-20). And covers the naked with clothing He notices need and moves toward it (Job 31:19-20; Matthew 25:36). Providing clothing is more than charity; it restores dignity, echoing the God who first clothed Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). Love becomes tangible, wrapping the vulnerable in warmth and worth. summary Ezekiel 18:16 paints a portrait of practical righteousness: no exploitation, no financial cruelty, no theft—just open-handed care for the needy. Such a life demonstrates genuine faith, aligns with God’s unchanging standards, and points forward to the grace fully revealed in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled every demand and calls His people to the same wholehearted justice and mercy. Hebrew He does notלֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no oppress הוֹנָ֔ה (hō·w·nāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3238: To rage, be violent, to suppress, to maltreat another, וְאִישׁ֙ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person or retain חָבָ֔ל (ḥā·ḇāl) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2254: To wind tightly, to bind, a pledge, to pervert, destroy, to writhe in pain a pledge, חֲבֹל֙ (ḥă·ḇōl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2258: A pledge or commit גָזָ֑ל (ḡā·zāl) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1497: To pluck off, to flay, strip, rob robbery. וּגְזֵלָ֖ה (ū·ḡə·zê·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1500: Robbery, plunder He gives נָתָ֔ן (nā·ṯān) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set his bread לַחְמוֹ֙ (laḥ·mōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain to the hungry לְרָעֵ֣ב (lə·rā·‘êḇ) Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7457: Hungry and covers כִּסָּה־ (kis·sāh-) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover the naked וְעֵר֖וֹם (wə·‘ê·rō·wm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 5903: Naked, nakedness with clothing. בָֽגֶד׃ (ḇā·ḡeḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage Additonal Resources Ezekiel 18:16 Blue Letter BibleEzekiel 18:16 Bible Gateway Ezekiel 18:16 Bible.com Ezekiel 18:16 NIV |
    |