King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Because he thinks it over and repents of all the transgressions he committed, he will certainly live, not die.
Berean Standard Bible:
Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die.
American Standard Version:
Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Because he considereth{H7200}, and turneth away{H7725} from all his transgressions{H6588} that he hath committed{H6213}, he shall surely{H2421} live{H2421}, he shall not die{H4191}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 32:29
- O that they were wise, [that] they understood this, [that] they would consider their latter end!
Luke 15:17
- And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:18
- I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Colossians 3:5
- ¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Colossians 3:9
- Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
James 2:10
- For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.
James 2:12
- So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ezekiel 18:28
Ezekiel 18:28 is a verse that captures a core principle of the prophetic message in the Book of Ezekiel, which was written during the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE). This period was a time of great upheaval and suffering for the Israelites, who were grappling with the theological implications of their homeland's destruction and their subsequent exile. The verse reflects a broader theme in Ezekiel concerning individual responsibility and the possibility of repentance.
The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of a people who are questioning the justice of God. The Israelites were struggling with the idea that they were suffering for the sins of their ancestors, as mentioned in earlier chapters of Ezekiel. However, in chapter 18, Ezekiel directly addresses this concern, emphasizing that each individual is responsible for their own righteousness or sinfulness.
The specific text of Ezekiel 18:28 asserts that when a person reflects on their life, recognizes their transgressions, and genuinely turns away from those sins, they will live. This "living" can be understood both in a literal sense, as in physical life, and in a spiritual sense, as in living in right relationship with God. The verse offers a message of hope: despite past wrongdoings, a person's sincere repentance can lead to life rather than death—a stark contrast to the fate of those who persist in wickedness.
In summary, Ezekiel 18:28 encapsulates the themes of personal accountability and the transformative power of repentance. It reassures the exiled Israelites that their destiny is not predetermined by the sins of their forebears, but rather by their own actions and willingness to turn back to God. This message would have been both comforting and challenging to its original audience, as it called for introspection and moral responsibility while offering the hope of divine favor and restoration.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H7725
There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûwb
Pronunciation: shoob
Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - Strong's Number: H6588
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּשַׁע
Transliteration: peshaʻ
Pronunciation: peh'-shah
Description: from פָּשַׁע; a revolt (national, moral or religious); rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H2421
There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָיָה
Transliteration: châyâh
Pronunciation: khaw-yaw'
Description: a primitive root (compare חָוָה, חָיָה); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive; keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.