Ezekiel 18:27

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וּבְשׁ֣וּב man turneth away H7725
וּבְשׁ֣וּב man turneth away
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 12
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
רָשָׁ֗ע Again when the wicked H7563
רָשָׁ֗ע Again when the wicked
Strong's: H7563
Word #: 2 of 12
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
מֵֽרִשְׁעָתוֹ֙ from his wickedness H7564
מֵֽרִשְׁעָתוֹ֙ from his wickedness
Strong's: H7564
Word #: 3 of 12
wrong (especially moral)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ and doeth H6213
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ and doeth
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 5 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ and doeth H6213
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ and doeth
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 6 of 12
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 #: 7 of 12
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 #: 8 of 12
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
ה֖וּא H1931
ה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 9 of 12
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשׁ֥וֹ his soul H5315
נַפְשׁ֥וֹ his soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 11 of 12
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
יְחַיֶּֽה׃ alive H2421
יְחַיֶּֽה׃ alive
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 12 of 12
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

Analysis & Commentary

'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.' The flip side: a wicked person can repent and find life. 'Turneth away' (Hebrew shuv) is the word for repentance—changing direction. Doing 'that which is lawful and right' demonstrates genuine repentance. 'He shall save his soul alive'—repentance brings salvation. This offers hope to the worst sinners.

Historical Context

Examples include Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), Nineveh (Jonah 3), and the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43). No one is beyond God's reach. The gospel offers salvation to anyone who repents and believes, regardless of past wickedness. This prepares for the New Covenant promise of heart transformation (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Questions for Reflection

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