Ezekiel Chapter 18 · Verse 21

Authorized King James Version

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But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָרָשָׁ֗ע But if the wicked H7563
וְהָרָשָׁ֗ע But if the wicked
Strong's: H7563
Word #: 1 of 18
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 2 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָשׁוּב֙ will turn H7725
יָשׁוּב֙ will turn
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 3 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מִכָּל H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חַטֹּאתָו֙ from all his sins H2403
חַטֹּאתָו֙ from all his sins
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 5 of 18
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְעָשָׂ֥ה and do H6213
וְעָשָׂ֥ה and do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְשָׁמַר֙ and keep H8104
וְשָׁמַר֙ and keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 8 of 18
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֻקוֹתַ֔י all my statutes H2708
חֻקוֹתַ֔י all my statutes
Strong's: H2708
Word #: 11 of 18
a statute
וְעָשָׂ֥ה and do H6213
וְעָשָׂ֥ה and do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 12 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט that which is lawful H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט that which is lawful
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 13 of 18
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וּצְדָקָ֑ה and right H6666
וּצְדָקָ֑ה and right
Strong's: H6666
Word #: 14 of 18
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
יִחְיֶ֖ה he shall surely H2421
יִחְיֶ֖ה he shall surely
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 15 of 18
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
יִחְיֶ֖ה he shall surely H2421
יִחְיֶ֖ה he shall surely
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 16 of 18
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 17 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמֽוּת׃ he shall not die H4191
יָמֽוּת׃ he shall not die
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 18 of 18
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis & Commentary

"But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die." God offers hope to the wicked through genuine repentance. The phrase "turn from all his sins" emphasizes comprehensive transformation, not selective reformation. True repentance involves both turning from sin and turning to God's statutes. The promise "he shall surely live" guarantees salvation for genuine converts. This demonstrates both God's justice (sin brings death) and mercy (repentance brings life). The gospel offers this hope to all who truly repent.

Historical Context

The exiles (591 BC) needed assurance that genuine repentance would be accepted despite past wickedness. This encouraged hope while maintaining moral seriousness. The principle appears throughout Scripture: God welcomes repentant sinners regardless of past (Luke 15:11-24, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). However, the repentance must be genuine—comprehensive turning from sin, not mere regret. This shaped Christian understanding of conversion: radical transformation through faith and repentance, not gradual self-improvement.

Questions for Reflection