if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just listing sins; it's highlighting a crucial distinction. The "eating upon the mountains" and "lifting up eyes to idols" aren't just about outward acts of worship, but also the inward longing and participation in communal idolatrous feasts that were deeply woven into their culture.
if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is outlining the righteous life in contrast to the wickedness of Israel. This verse is part of a list describing a person who truly fears the Lord and will live, contrasting with the false piety of those who still practice idolatry and impurity. The passage continues to build this portrait of righteousness by detailing specific actions of faithfulness and obedience.
It's not enough to just not bow down to a statue. True faithfulness means turning away from the whole system of false worship.
Ezekiel lists several specific actions that demonstrate a rejection of idolatry. 'Eating upon the mountains' refers to participating in feasts associated with idol worship, a practice often done on high places. It signified fellowship with idols. 'Lifting up his eyes to the idols' goes beyond outward action; it implies a longing or trust placed in false gods, even if not outright worship.
This isn't just about avoiding a single sin, but about a comprehensive turning away from anything that rivals God's rightful place in one's life. It means redirecting one's desires, trust, and participation away from anything that is not the true God.
Righteousness involves not only refraining from overt sin but also guarding your desires and intentions.
The verse moves from idolatry to relational sins. 'Defiled his neighbor’s wife' clearly points to adultery, a serious breach of God's law and trust. However, the context also highlights the importance of purity in one's gaze and affections.
Furthermore, 'approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity' speaks to a strict adherence to the purity laws. While this might seem extreme today, it reflects a deep reverence for God's commands and an understanding that even in intimate matters, boundaries were set by God. This implies a thoroughgoing commitment to honoring God in all areas of life, not just the obvious ones.
Understand the original words
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harim · Hebrew Noun
In biblical theology, this refers to religious rites performed at high places, often associated with pagan worship and unauthorized sacrifices, contrary to the central worship at the Temple.
gillulim · Hebrew Noun
Representations of false gods or objects of worship that rival or replace the Lord God; biblically, they are considered worthless and deceptive.
tame' · Hebrew Verb
To make ceremonially unclean or spiritually polluted through sin; it refers to the violation of God’s holiness or ritual laws.
niddah · Hebrew Noun
In the Mosaic Law, the state of ritual uncleanness associated with a woman's menstrual cycle, requiring temporary separation to maintain ritual purity.
Ezekiel addresses the people during the Babylonian exile, a time when the collective punishment of Judah was a major point of discussion. He argues against the popular notion that individuals were suffering solely for the sins of their ancestors, emphasizing personal accountability before God.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and replacing them with foreigners. This event marked a significant religious and political disruption for the northern tribes.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon captures Jerusalem and deports King Jehoiachin, members of the royal family, and skilled workers to Babylon. This was the first major blow to the southern kingdom of Judah.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, executing many survivors and exiling the rest of the population to Babylon. This event represented a profound spiritual and national catastrophe for the Judeans.
c. 593 BC
Ezekiel's Ministry Begins
Ezekiel, an exiled priest living in Babylon, receives his prophetic call. His ministry focuses on confronting the exiles' false hopes and explaining the justice of God in their suffering.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. This pivotal event eventually led to the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple. This marked the beginning of the return from Babylonian exile.
This passage explicitly forbids approaching a woman during her menstrual impurity, directly paralleling one of the prohibitions in Ezekiel 18:6 and highlighting the importance of ritual and moral cleanness.
Deuteronomy 12:17-18This text instructs Israelites to offer sacrifices only at the designated place of worship, not on 'high places' or mountains, which connects to Ezekiel's condemnation of eating at such mountain shrines associated with idolatry.
Jeremiah 5:8Jeremiah also condemns adultery, describing men as 'sated night by night,' which echoes Ezekiel's emphasis on the man who 'has not defiled his neighbor's wife,' showing this was a prevalent sin.
Psalm 121:1The phrase 'lift up his eyes' in Ezekiel is contrasted here with the Psalmist lifting his eyes to the Lord for help, illustrating the righteous man’s focus on God rather than idolatrous objects.
1 Corinthians 10:7Paul warns against idolatry and participating in pagan feasts, directly referencing the sin of 'eating and drinking and rising up to play,' which is similar to the forbidden practice of eating at idolatrous mountain shrines mentioned in Ezekiel.
ellicottEzekiel 18:6: "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,"
(6) Eaten upon the mountains. —The various sins here specified are all enumerated again, with others, and charged upon Jerusalem in Ezekiel 22:2-12 . The particular of eating upon the mountains is mentioned in Ezekiel 18:9 , and refers to the feasts in connection with sacrifices to ido…
cambridgeEzekiel 18:6: "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,"
6 . eaten upon the mountains ] that is, sacrificed on the high places and partaken of the sacrificial meal following, token of fellowship as a guest with the idols there worshipped. The phrase occurs again Ezekiel 18:11; Ezekiel 18:15 , Ezekiel 22:9 . In Ezekiel 33:25 the reading is, e…
This verse isn't just listing sins; it's highlighting a crucial distinction. The "eating upon the mountains" and "lifting up eyes to idols" aren't just about outward acts of worship, but also the inward longing and participation in communal idolatrous feasts that were deeply woven into their culture.
Ezekiel is outlining the righteous life in contrast to the wickedness of Israel. This verse is part of a list describing a person who truly fears the Lord and will live, contrasting with the false piety of those who still practice idolatry and impurity. The passage continues to build this portrait of righteousness by detailing specific actions of faithfulness and obedience.
Ezekiel is outlining the righteous life in contrast to the wickedness of Israel. This verse is part of a list describing a person who truly fears the Lord and will live, contrasting with the false piety of those who still practice idolatry and impurity. The passage continues to build this portrait of righteousness by detailing specific actions of faithfulness and obedience.
"if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity," — This verse isn't just listing sins; it's highlighting a crucial distinction. The "eating upon the mountains" and "lifting up eyes to idols" aren't just about outward acts of worship, but also the inw…
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Last reviewed October 2026