Ezekiel 33:14

KJV

Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

KJV (with Strong's)

Again, when I say {H559} unto the wicked {H7563}, Thou shalt surely {H4191} die {H4191}; if he turn {H7725} from his sin {H2403}, and do {H6213} that which is lawful {H4941} and right {H6666};

Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise, if, after I tell the wicked person, "You must die," he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right -

Berean Standard Bible

But if I tell the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and does what is just and right—

American Standard Version

Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 33:14 presents a profound declaration of God's conditional judgment and boundless mercy, emphasizing that even the most wicked, when confronted with the reality of their impending doom, can avert destruction through genuine repentance. This verse highlights the divine desire for humanity's life over death, underscoring that a decisive turning from sin and an active pursuit of righteousness are the pathways to divine forgiveness and preservation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 33 serves as a pivotal chapter, marking a shift in the prophet's ministry following the fall of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 33:21). Prior to this, much of Ezekiel's prophecy focused on judgment against Judah and the nations. Here, God reiterates Ezekiel's role as a "watchman" (first introduced in [Ezekiel 3:17](/ezekiel/3-17 "Ezekiel 3:17 - The Watchman's Call")), clarifying the individual responsibility inherent in receiving or rejecting divine warnings. The immediate verses (Ezekiel 33:10-20) directly address the exiles' despair and their misinterpretation of God's justice, particularly their fatalistic belief that they were doomed because of past sins or the sins of their ancestors. This verse, therefore, directly counters such notions by presenting a clear path to life through repentance, regardless of one's past wickedness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the sixth century BCE, a period of immense national trauma and spiritual crisis. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, along with the forced displacement, led to deep introspection and often, a sense of hopelessness among the people. Many believed that their fate was sealed by communal sin or by the sins of previous generations, as reflected in the 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 - Proverb of Sour Grapes")). Ezekiel's message, including this verse, was revolutionary in its emphasis on individual accountability and the possibility of personal repentance, directly challenging the prevailing deterministic worldview and offering a path to restoration in a foreign land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It powerfully articulates God's **divine justice and mercy**, demonstrating that while sin inevitably leads to death, God's character is such that He provides a way for the wicked to live if they turn. This is intimately linked to the theme of **individual responsibility**, a cornerstone of Ezekiel's prophecy, particularly in [Ezekiel 18](/ezekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - Individual Responsibility"). The verse underscores that salvation or condemnation is not inherited but determined by one's personal choices and actions. Furthermore, it highlights the **transformative power of repentance**, defining it not merely as regret but as a decisive and active turning from sin towards "that which is lawful and right," emphasizing that true repentance involves both a change of heart and a change of conduct. This aligns with God's stated desire for the wicked to live, as expressed in [Ezekiel 18:23](/ezekiel/18-23 "Ezekiel 18:23 - God Desires Life") and [Ezekiel 18:32](/ezekiel/18-32 "Ezekiel 18:32 - God's Desire for Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** This term refers to an actively bad person, someone who is morally wrong and guilty. It denotes not just a state of being but a pattern of conduct that is contrary to God's law. In this context, it emphasizes the severe moral condition of the individual to whom the warning is addressed, highlighting the depth of their deviation from righteousness.
* **turn (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** A primitive root meaning "to turn back," "return," or "retreat." It signifies a complete reversal of direction, a spiritual U-turn. This is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment of wrongdoing but a decisive, volitional act of reorienting one's life away from sin and back towards God's path. It implies a fundamental change in allegiance and behavior.
* **sin (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** This word encompasses an offense, habitual sinfulness, its penalty, and even the means of expiation. Here, it refers to the moral transgression or habitual wrongdoing from which the wicked person is called to turn. It underscores the destructive nature of actions that miss the mark of God's perfect standard, leading to the declared consequence of death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again, when I say unto the wicked,"**: This phrase reiterates the divine pronouncement and warning. It emphasizes God's direct communication to those who are actively living in rebellion against Him, highlighting His initiative in calling them to account and offering a way out. The "again" links it to previous declarations of judgment and watchman duties.
* **"Thou shalt surely die;"**: This is a solemn and absolute declaration of the consequence of continued wickedness. The repetition of the root word for "die" in the Hebrew (mûwth mûwth) intensifies the certainty and inevitability of this judgment, signifying a spiritual and often physical separation from God's life-giving presence.
* **"if he turn from his sin,"**: This introduces the crucial condition for averting judgment. "Turning" implies a radical change of heart and direction, a conscious decision to abandon the path of sin (chaṭṭâʼâh). It's an active, volitional act of repentance, moving away from moral offense and its destructive trajectory.
* **"and do that which is lawful and right;"**: This clause specifies the practical outworking of genuine repentance. It's not enough to simply cease from sin; there must be a positive, active pursuit of righteousness. "Lawful" (mishpâṭ) refers to justice, judgment, and adherence to God's decrees and ordinances, while "right" (tsᵉdâqâh) refers to moral rectitude, virtue, and righteous conduct. Together, they signify living in accordance with God's revealed will, demonstrating integrity and uprightness in all aspects of life.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 33:14 employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most prominent is a **conditional statement**, introduced by "if," which clearly delineates the choice presented to the wicked: continued wickedness leads to death, but a specific action (turning and doing) leads to life. This creates a stark **antithesis** between the declared consequence of "surely die" and the implied outcome of life for those who repent, highlighting the two possible paths. The phrase "surely die" itself uses a form of **emphatic repetition** (an infinitive absolute construction in Hebrew, _mûwth tāmûth_), which serves to underscore the absolute certainty and severity of the divine judgment for unrepentant sin. This rhetorical emphasis ensures the gravity of the warning is fully conveyed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 33:14 is a cornerstone verse for understanding God's character as both perfectly just and profoundly merciful. It reveals that while sin carries the ultimate penalty of death, God's heart is not set on the destruction of the wicked but rather on their repentance and life. This divine posture underscores the principle of individual accountability, asserting that one's fate is not predetermined by lineage or past actions alone, but by their present response to God's call. The verse beautifully illustrates that God's justice is not punitive for its own sake, but serves to uphold His holy standard, while His mercy provides a pathway for reconciliation and renewed life through genuine turning and active righteousness.

* [Ezekiel 18:32](/ezekiel/18-32 "Ezekiel 18:32 - God's Desire for Repentance"): "For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
* [Isaiah 55:7](/isaiah/55-7 "Isaiah 55:7 - Call to Repentance"): "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience and Desire for Repentance"): "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 33:14 offers timeless hope and a clear call to action for every individual. It dismantles any notion of fatalism, asserting that personal choice and genuine repentance hold immense power in the face of divine judgment. For those who feel trapped by past mistakes or overwhelmed by their sinful nature, this verse is a beacon of God's unwavering willingness to forgive and restore. It challenges us to move beyond mere regret to a radical reorientation of our lives, actively abandoning sin and diligently pursuing what is "lawful and right" in God's eyes. This means not only ceasing from ungodly practices but also intentionally engaging in acts of justice, righteousness, and obedience to God's commands. It reminds us that God's desire is always for our flourishing and spiritual life, prompting us to examine our own hearts and ensure our lives reflect a true turning towards Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to genuinely "turn from sin" and actively pursue God's "lawful and right" ways?**
* **How does the emphasis on individual responsibility in this verse challenge or affirm my understanding of salvation and discipleship?**
* **What does "doing that which is lawful and right" look like practically in my daily interactions and decisions?**
* **How can the profound mercy of God, as revealed in this verse, inspire me to share the message of repentance and hope with others?**

### FAQ
**Does "surely die" refer only to physical death, or something more?**

Answer: While physical death is a part of the human condition, in biblical prophecy, "surely die" (Hebrew, _mûwth tāmûth_) often carries a deeper, spiritual connotation beyond mere cessation of physical life. It refers to spiritual death, which is separation from God, the source of all life. For the wicked, it implies not just the end of their physical existence but also the eternal consequence of being cut off from God's presence and blessing. This spiritual death is the ultimate outcome of unrepentant sin, whereas turning from sin offers the promise of spiritual life and communion with God, as seen in the broader context of [Ezekiel 33](/ezekiel/33 "Ezekiel 33 - The Watchman's Role and Repentance").

**What is the difference between "lawful" and "right" in this verse?**

Answer: The terms "lawful" (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ_) and "right" (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh_) are often paired in Hebrew thought and refer to distinct but complementary aspects of righteous living. _Mishpâṭ_ (lawful/justice) typically refers to adherence to established laws, ordinances, and judgments, particularly in a societal or judicial sense. It speaks to fairness, equity, and the proper administration of justice. _Tsᵉdâqâh_ (right/righteousness) refers more broadly to moral rectitude, virtue, and living in conformity with God's character and ethical standards. While _mishpâṭ_ is about doing what is prescribed and just, _tsᵉdâqâh_ is about being inherently righteous and virtuous. Together, they encompass a holistic life of obedience to God's commands and a demonstration of His character in one's actions and relationships.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 33:14, with its emphasis on turning from sin to life, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament offered a conditional path to life through repentance and obedience to the Law, it revealed humanity's consistent inability to perfectly "do that which is lawful and right." The "surely die" of the wicked was a consequence that no amount of human effort could fully escape. Jesus, however, became the perfect fulfillment of the "lawful and right" (the Law and the Prophets), living a life of perfect righteousness on humanity's behalf. He then bore the "surely die" for the wicked, taking upon Himself the penalty of sin on the cross, so that all who "turn from their sin" and place their faith in Him might not perish but have eternal life. His call to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" ([Matthew 4:17](/matthew/4-17 "Matthew 4:17 - Jesus Begins His Ministry")) echoes Ezekiel's message, but now with the power of His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, offering not just a reprieve from death but new, eternal life in Him. The active "doing that which is lawful and right" is now empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabling believers to walk in the righteousness that is imputed to them through Christ ([Romans 3:22](/romans/3-22 "Romans 3:22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, Christ is the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the perfect means by which the wicked can turn and truly live.

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

Ezekiel 18:27

Again, when the wicked [man] turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

Jeremiah 18:7

[At what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy [it];

Jeremiah 18:8

If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Ezekiel 33:8

When I say unto the wicked, O wicked [man], thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Hosea 14:1

¶ O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

Proverbs 28:13

¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.