Very strange verse: Ezek.20:25

[LAGoff]

The verse says that "I give you statutes (chukim) that are not good and mishpatim (laws?) that you can't live by them."

Why does he say this and what does it mean?

[David_L]

The Artscroll Tanach's footnote for that verse:

In punishment, I let them be subjugated by the bitter, impossible decrees of their enemies (Radak).

Rashi's commentary on that verse, from http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo ... =true&v=25

statutes that were not good: I delivered them into the hands of their temptation to stumble over their iniquity, and so did Jonathan render: And I delivered them into the hands of their foolish temptation, and they went and made decrees that were not good, and practices by which they cannot live.

[David_L]

By the way, who is the "Jonathan" mentioned in Rashi's commentary?

[rivka]

Targum Yonatan.

[David_L]

Thanks, Rivka.

[LAGoff]

The Artscroll Tanach's footnote for that verse:

In punishment, I let them be subjugated by the bitter, impossible decrees of their enemies (Radak).

Rashi's commentary on that verse, from http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo ... =true&v=25

statutes that were not good: I delivered them into the hands of their temptation to stumble over their iniquity, and so did Jonathan render: And I delivered them into the hands of their foolish temptation, and they went and made decrees that were not good, and practices by which they cannot live.

The NLT (a Christian version) corroborates Rashi/Johnathan/Radak. v.25: "I gave them over to worthless decrees and regulations that would not lead to life." v.26: "I let them pollute themselves..."