Ezekiel 18:24
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְשׁ֨וּב
turneth away
H7725
וּבְשׁ֨וּב
turneth away
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 26
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
צִדְקֹתָ֤ו
All his righteousness
H6666
צִדְקֹתָ֤ו
All his righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
3 of 26
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
עָשָׂה֙
and committeth
H6213
עָשָׂה֙
and committeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כְּכֹ֨ל
H3605
כְּכֹ֨ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַתּוֹעֵב֜וֹת
according to all the abominations
H8441
הַתּוֹעֵב֜וֹת
according to all the abominations
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂה֙
and committeth
H6213
עָשָׂה֙
and committeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הָרָשָׁ֛ע
that the wicked
H7563
הָרָשָׁ֛ע
that the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
10 of 26
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
עָשָׂה֙
and committeth
H6213
עָשָׂה֙
and committeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
צִדְקֹתָ֤ו
All his righteousness
H6666
צִדְקֹתָ֤ו
All his righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
14 of 26
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂה֙
and committeth
H6213
עָשָׂה֙
and committeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
16 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִזָּכַ֔רְנָה
shall not be mentioned
H2142
תִזָּכַ֔רְנָה
shall not be mentioned
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
בְּמַעֲל֧וֹ
in his trespass
H4603
בְּמַעֲל֧וֹ
in his trespass
Strong's:
H4603
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וּבְחַטָּאת֥וֹ
and in his sin
H2403
וּבְחַטָּאת֥וֹ
and in his sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
22 of 26
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Ezekiel 33:18When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.Proverbs 21:16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.2 John 1:8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.Galatians 3:4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.Ezekiel 18:26When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.1 John 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.1 Samuel 15:11It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.Revelation 3:11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.Revelation 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.Psalms 125:5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
Historical Context
Among the exiles (591 BC), some appeared righteous but lacked genuine transformation. God warns that mere external righteousness without heart change proves insufficient. Israel's history included many who started well but finished poorly. The warning guards against presumptuous assurance based on past performance rather than present faith. The early church recognized this danger: apostasy reveals false profession (1 John 2:19, Hebrews 6:4-6). True faith perseveres; false faith eventually manifests itself.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this warning challenge presumptuous assurance based on past religious performance?
- What is the relationship between genuine persevering faith and temporary false profession?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die." This sobering warning addresses apostasy danger. The phrase "turneth away from righteousness" indicates deliberate departure, not momentary lapse. Final apostasy proves that prior "righteousness" was external conformity, not genuine faith. The Reformed doctrine of perseverance teaches that true believers ultimately persevere; those who utterly apostatize demonstrate they never possessed saving faith.