Ezekiel 18:28

KJV

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)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 18:28 stands as a powerful declaration of God's individual justice and profound mercy, asserting that spiritual destiny is not determined by ancestral sin or past transgressions, but by one's personal and decisive choice to repent. This verse directly refutes the fatalistic proverb prevalent among the exiles, emphasizing that a genuine turning away from sin, marked by thoughtful consideration and active change, leads unequivocally to life, not death. It underscores the immediate efficacy of true repentance and God's unwavering desire for humanity's reconciliation and flourishing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 18:28 is a climactic statement within a chapter dedicated to refuting the popular Israelite proverb, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" ([Ezekiel 18:2](/ezekiel/18-2 "Ezekiel 18:2 - The Proverb of Sour Grapes")). This proverb, born out of the experience of exile, suggested that the current generation was being punished for the sins of their ancestors, fostering a sense of hopelessness and undermining individual accountability. Throughout the chapter, God, through Ezekiel, systematically dismantles this notion by presenting various scenarios: the righteous individual who lives, the wicked individual who dies, and, crucially, the wicked individual who turns from their sin. Verses 21-23 establish the principle that if a wicked person repents, their past sins will not be remembered against them, and they will live. Verse 28 reiterates and emphatically confirms this divine promise, serving as a cornerstone of God's compassionate justice within the broader argument for individual responsibility.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the sixth century BCE, a period of profound national trauma following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The exiles struggled to reconcile their suffering with God's justice, often resorting to fatalistic interpretations like the "sour grapes" proverb. They felt unjustly punished, believing their fate was sealed by the sins of previous generations (e.g., [Jeremiah 31:29](/jeremiah/31-29 "Jeremiah 31:29 - The Proverb of Sour Grapes")). Ezekiel's message, therefore, was revolutionary. It challenged a deeply ingrained cultural fatalism and a communal understanding of sin and punishment, shifting the focus back to individual culpability and, more importantly, individual opportunity for repentance and restoration. The emphasis on "life" and "death" carried both immediate physical and long-term spiritual connotations within their worldview, signifying well-being, blessing, and covenant relationship versus judgment, suffering, and separation from God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, **Individual Responsibility** is paramount, asserting that each person's spiritual standing before God is determined by their own choices, not by inherited guilt or the actions of others. This is a foundational principle for understanding God's justice and the nature of covenant relationship, as seen also in [Deuteronomy 24:16](/deuteronomy/24-16 "Deuteronomy 24:16 - Individual Accountability"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Efficacy and Power of Repentance (Teshuvah)**. It demonstrates that a genuine turning from sin, encompassing both internal reflection and external action, is immediately effective in securing divine forgiveness and life. This theme is central to the prophetic call for Israel to return to God ([Isaiah 55:7](/isaiah/55-7 "Isaiah 55:7 - Call to Repentance")). Thirdly, it reveals God's **Merciful and Just Character**. Far from being a vengeful deity, God is portrayed as one who "desires not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live" ([Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for Life")). This verse underscores His readiness to extend grace and offer a path to redemption, affirming His ultimate desire for life and restoration for His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Considereth (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** From H7200, meaning "to see, literally or figuratively," and in this context, "to consider, discern, take heed." This implies more than a casual glance; it denotes a deep, introspective perception and understanding of one's actions and their consequences. It's the cognitive and moral awakening that precedes true change, a thoughtful reflection on the gravity of one's transgressions.
* **Turneth away (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From H7725, meaning "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively." This is the foundational biblical concept of repentance (teshuvah). It signifies a decisive, active change of direction—a complete turning around from a path of sin towards God's ways. It is not merely regret or remorse, but a fundamental reorientation of one's life. The repetition of the root `shûwb` in the original text (implied by the KJV's "considereth, and turneth away" which both derive from the same root in some interpretations or are closely linked in meaning here) emphasizes the thoroughness of this turning.
* **Transgressions (Hebrew, _peshaʻ'_):** From H6588, meaning "a revolt (national, moral or religious); rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass." This term denotes a deliberate act of rebellion against God's law or covenant. It highlights the severity of the actions being turned away from, implying a conscious breaking of relationship or divine order. The turning away is from acts of willful defiance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because he considereth,"**: This opening clause establishes the prerequisite for the promised life. It points to an internal, cognitive process. The individual doesn't merely stumble into repentance; there is a conscious, deliberate act of reflection and discernment regarding their past actions and their spiritual state. This "considering" is the intellectual and moral awakening that initiates the process of turning.
* **"and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed,"**: This clause describes the active, behavioral component of repentance. It's not enough to merely think about sin; one must actively "turn away" from it. The phrase "from all his transgressions that he hath committed" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this turning. It's not a partial or selective repentance, but a complete abandonment of the sinful lifestyle and specific acts of rebellion that characterized their past. This turning is decisive and holistic.
* **"he shall surely live, he shall not die."**: This is the emphatic divine promise and consequence of genuine repentance. The double negative ("shall not die") combined with the positive affirmation ("shall surely live") provides absolute certainty. "Live" here encompasses not just physical preservation, but spiritual vitality, restoration of relationship with God, and participation in His covenant blessings. Conversely, "die" signifies not only physical death but spiritual separation and judgment. The promise is immediate and unconditional upon the act of true turning.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 18:28 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Repetition and Emphasis**, particularly in the concluding phrase "he shall surely live, he shall not die." This uses a positive affirmation followed by a negative denial of the opposite outcome, creating a powerful rhetorical flourish that underscores the absolute certainty and immediacy of the life promised to the repentant. This **Antithesis** (life vs. death) highlights the stark choice and the clear consequences. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Conditional Clause**, structured with "Because [condition], he shall [consequence]." This logical structure clearly links the act of considering and turning away from sin directly to the outcome of life, emphasizing cause and effect in God's moral order. The very structure of the chapter, presenting contrasting scenarios of the righteous, the wicked, and the repentant wicked, relies on **Juxtaposition** to highlight the transformative power of individual choice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 18:28 profoundly articulates God's character as both just and merciful, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to individual accountability while simultaneously extending an open invitation to life through repentance. It reveals a God who does not delight in the death of the wicked but earnestly desires their turning and flourishing. This principle of immediate divine response to genuine repentance is a cornerstone of biblical theology, emphasizing that God's grace is accessible to all who humble themselves and reorient their lives towards Him, regardless of their past. It foreshadows the New Covenant emphasis on a transformed heart and the accessibility of forgiveness.

* [Isaiah 55:7](/isaiah/55-7 "Isaiah 55:7 - Call to Repentance and Forgiveness")
* [Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Repentance and Times of Refreshing")
* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience and Desire for Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 18:28 offers timeless encouragement and a profound challenge for believers today. It dismantles any notion of inherited spiritual fatalism, reminding us that our past, no matter how stained by sin, does not irrevocably determine our future. God's mercy is so vast that a genuine turning—a thoughtful consideration of our wrongdoings followed by a decisive abandonment of them—is met with the immediate and certain promise of life. This calls us to a radical honesty with ourselves and with God, prompting us to examine areas where we might still be clinging to "transgressions" rather than fully turning away. It assures us that God's desire is always for our flourishing and restoration, not our condemnation. This verse empowers us to take personal responsibility for our spiritual state, knowing that the path to life is always open through sincere repentance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "transgressions" in my life do I need to "consider" more deeply and decisively "turn away" from?**
* **How does the promise "he shall surely live, he shall not die" challenge any fatalistic views I might hold about my past or my spiritual future?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a more consistent practice of genuine repentance in my daily walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Does "surely live, he shall not die" refer only to physical life, or something more?**

Answer: While the immediate context in Ezekiel often includes physical well-being and preservation from the judgment of exile or death, the phrase "surely live, he shall not die" extends beyond mere physical existence. In biblical thought, "life" (Hebrew: *châyâh*) encompasses spiritual vitality, a restored and flourishing relationship with God, covenant blessings, and true well-being in every sense. Conversely, "death" (Hebrew: *mûwth*) signifies separation from God, judgment, and spiritual barrenness. Therefore, the promise is primarily about spiritual life and a restored relationship with God, which often has positive implications for one's physical and communal existence, but is not limited to it. It speaks to a profound transformation of one's destiny from condemnation to communion.

**Is this verse saying that good works can earn salvation, or is it about grace?**

Answer: Ezekiel 18:28 is not advocating for salvation by works, but rather highlighting the divine principle that genuine repentance, which is a turning *from* sin *to* God, is the necessary condition for receiving God's life-giving mercy. The "turning away" is not a meritorious act that earns life, but an act of humble submission and reorientation that aligns an individual with God's will and opens them to His grace. The life promised is a gift from God, contingent upon this change of heart and direction. It emphasizes individual accountability and God's just response to a sincere change of heart, which is always rooted in His prior grace and desire for humanity to live ([Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for Life")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 18:28 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of the life promised and the means by which true repentance becomes possible and effective. While the Old Testament offered a path to life through turning from sin, it also revealed humanity's inherent inability to perfectly "turn away from all his transgressions." The Law exposed sin but could not ultimately provide the power for consistent righteousness ([Romans 7:7-13](/romans/7-7 "Romans 7:7-13 - The Law and Sin")). Christ, however, perfectly fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law and, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, took upon Himself the "death" that our "transgressions" deserved ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Now, through faith in Him, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to truly "consider" our sin and "turn away" from it, not in our own strength, but by His transforming grace. The "life" promised in Ezekiel 18:28 is fully realized in the new spiritual life offered in Christ, where believers are made alive together with Him ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - Made Alive in Christ")), receiving eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")) and a restored relationship with God that "shall not die" ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, making genuine, life-giving repentance truly accessible to all who believe ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.