Contradiction with Exodus 20:5
This verse states that God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, which contrasts with Ezekiel 18:4 where it suggests individuals are responsible for their own sins.
Exodus 20:5: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:16
States that children shall not be put to death for their fathers' sins, directly aligning with Ezekiel 18:4, but potentially contradicting some interpretations of collective punishment seen elsewhere.
Deuteronomy 24:16: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Contradiction with 2 Samuel 12:13-14
David sins, but instead of him, his child suffers the consequence, which opposes the individual responsibility highlighted in Ezekiel 18:4.
2 Samuel 12:13-14: And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 31:29-30
Similar to Ezekiel 18:4, it foreshadows that the son will not suffer for the father's iniquity, which may contradict previous collective punishment themes.
Jeremiah 31:29-30: In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
Contradiction with Numbers 14:18
The verse implies long-term consequences for the sins of parents upon their descendants, which seems inconsistent with the message of individual responsibility in Ezekiel 18:4.
Numbers 14:18: The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].
Contradiction with Lamentations 5:7
Says that fathers have sinned, and children bear the punishment, which contradicts the idea that each soul is responsible for its own sin as presented in Ezekiel 18:4.
Lamentations 5:7: Our fathers have sinned, [and are] not; and we have borne their iniquities.
Paradox #1
Ezekiel 18:4 could seem to contradict the belief in inherited sin or the idea that children bear the sins of their parents. Some people might see a conflict because other parts of the Bible, like certain interpretations of original sin, suggest that sin can be passed down through generations. This verse, however, emphasizes individual responsibility for sin.