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Ezekiel 33:14

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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;

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};

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

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

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

Ezekiel 33:14 (KJV) stands as a powerful declaration of God’s justice tempered with profound mercy, offering hope even to those who have strayed far from Him. It is a vital verse in understanding the biblical concept of repentance and divine forgiveness.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel served during the Babylonian exile, a time of national crisis and spiritual reflection for the people of Israel. Chapter 33 reiterates and expands upon Ezekiel's role as God's "watchman" for the house of Israel, a theme first introduced in Ezekiel 3:17. In this role, Ezekiel was responsible for warning the wicked of their impending judgment and calling the righteous to remain steadfast.

This chapter directly addresses the exiles' complaints that God's ways were not just, and that they were suffering for the sins of their forefathers. Ezekiel 33, much like Ezekiel 18, strongly emphasizes individual accountability before God. Verse 14 specifically highlights God's conditional judgment: while death is the consequence of wickedness, repentance opens a path to life, underscoring God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live, a sentiment powerfully echoed in Ezekiel 18:23 and 18:32.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Mercy: The verse showcases God's perfect balance between righteous judgment and compassionate mercy. While sin leads to death, God provides a way out through repentance.
  • Individual Responsibility: It underscores that each person is accountable for their own choices and actions. Salvation or condemnation is not based on lineage or community, but on personal turning.
  • The Power of Repentance: The core message is that a genuine "turning from sin" (a change of heart and action) can avert the declared judgment and lead to life. This isn't mere regret but a decisive shift in direction.
  • Active Righteousness: Repentance is not passive; it requires actively doing "that which is lawful and right." This implies a commitment to God's commands and righteous living.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "turn from his sin" comes from the Hebrew root shuv (שׁוּב), which means "to turn back," "return," or "repent." It signifies a complete reversal of direction, a spiritual U-turn from a path of wickedness to a path of righteousness. This is not just intellectual assent but a transformative act of the will.

The terms "lawful and right" are translated from the Hebrew mishpat u'tzedakah (מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה), often understood as "justice and righteousness." This refers to living in accordance with God's moral and ethical standards, demonstrating integrity in one's dealings with both God and fellow human beings, reflecting the character of God Himself.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 33:14 offers profound hope and a clear challenge for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Desires Life, Not Death: No one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. Even those labeled "wicked" have an open invitation to repent and receive life. This should inspire evangelism and compassion for others.
  • Repentance is Transformative: True repentance involves a genuine change of heart that leads to a change in behavior. It's about abandoning sin and actively pursuing righteousness. This principle is fundamental to the New Testament call to repentance.
  • Personal Accountability is Key: While we live in community, our ultimate standing before God is based on our individual response to His call. This encourages self-examination and personal commitment to God's ways.
  • God's Character is Consistent: This Old Testament verse perfectly aligns with God's character revealed throughout Scripture: He is just, yet abounding in steadfast love and mercy, always providing a way for humanity to return to Him.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering offer of grace to all who genuinely turn to Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 18:27 (8 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    [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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 28:13 (3 votes)

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