Ezekiel Chapter 18 · Verse 23
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Original Language Analysis
אֶחְפֹּץ֙
Have I any pleasure
H2654
אֶחְפֹּץ֙
Have I any pleasure
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
אֶחְפֹּץ֙
Have I any pleasure
H2654
אֶחְפֹּץ֙
Have I any pleasure
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
מ֣וֹת
should die
H4194
מ֣וֹת
should die
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
3 of 11
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
רָשָׁ֔ע
that the wicked
H7563
רָשָׁ֔ע
that the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
4 of 11
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
הֲל֛וֹא
H3808
הֲל֛וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בְּשׁוּב֥וֹ
and not that he should return
H7725
בְּשׁוּב֥וֹ
and not that he should return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Ezekiel 33:11Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?1 Timothy 2:4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.2 Peter 3:9The 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.Ezekiel 18:32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.Luke 15:32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.Psalms 147:11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.Luke 15:10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Historical Context
Among fatalistic exiles (591 BC) who saw judgment as inevitable, this declaration offered hope. God doesn't arbitrarily condemn but calls all to repentance. The phrase "return from his ways" uses the Hebrew shub (שׁוּב), meaning turn back or repent—the fundamental prophetic call. While theological debates continue over the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, this verse clearly affirms God's sincere desire for sinners' repentance. The gospel call genuinely offers salvation to all, though only the elect respond through effectual grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's lack of pleasure in judgment challenge caricatures of Him as vindictive or arbitrary?
- What is the relationship between God's sincere desire for repentance and the doctrine of election?
Analysis & Commentary
God reveals His heart: "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" This rhetorical question establishes that God takes no delight in judgment but desires repentance. The Hebrew word chaphets (חָפֵץ, "pleasure") indicates delight or desire. While God's holiness requires judging sin, His grace offers salvation. This tension between justice and mercy finds resolution in Christ's substitutionary atonement. The Reformed distinction between God's decretive and preceptive wills appears: God decrees some to judgment while sincerely offering salvation to all who repent.