Ezekiel 20:11

11 I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live.

Ezekiel 20:11 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
11 And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 I gave them my statutes and made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them.
The Message Bible (MSG)
11 "'I gave them laws for living, showed them how to live well and obediently before me.
American Standard Version (ASV)
11 And I gave them my statutes, and showed them mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live in them.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
11 I gave them my laws and made my rules known to them. If people obey them they will live.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
11 Then I gave them My statutes and explained My ordinances to them-the person who does them will live by them.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
11 I gave them my rules. I made my laws known to them. The one who obeys them will live by them.

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 But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.
10 Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.
11 I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live.
12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy.
13 “ ‘Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the wilderness.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Exodus 20:1-23; Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 4:7-8; S Ezekiel 18:9; S Romans 10:5
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