Ezekiel 18:30

Authorized King James Version

PDF

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Original Language Analysis

לָכֵן֩ H3651
לָכֵן֩
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 1 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אִ֨ישׁ every one H376
אִ֨ישׁ every one
Strong's: H376
Word #: 2 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּדְרָכָ֜יו according to his ways H1870
כִּדְרָכָ֜יו according to his ways
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 3 of 19
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֶשְׁפֹּ֤ט Therefore I will judge H8199
אֶשְׁפֹּ֤ט Therefore I will judge
Strong's: H8199
Word #: 4 of 19
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אֶתְכֶם֙ H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית you O house H1004
בֵּ֣ית you O house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 6 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 7 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נְאֻ֖ם saith H5002
נְאֻ֖ם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 8 of 19
an oracle
אֲדֹנָ֣י the Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֣י the Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 9 of 19
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִ֑ה H3068
יְהוִ֑ה
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהָשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ Repent H7725
וְהָשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ Repent
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 11 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְהָשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ Repent H7725
וְהָשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ Repent
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 12 of 19
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 #: 13 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פִּשְׁעֵיכֶ֔ם yourselves from all your transgressions H6588
פִּשְׁעֵיכֶ֔ם yourselves from all your transgressions
Strong's: H6588
Word #: 14 of 19
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 15 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֥ה H1961
יִהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 16 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָכֶ֛ם H0
לָכֶ֛ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 17 of 19
לְמִכְשׁ֖וֹל shall not be your ruin H4383
לְמִכְשׁ֖וֹל shall not be your ruin
Strong's: H4383
Word #: 18 of 19
a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)
עָוֹֽן׃ so iniquity H5771
עָוֹֽן׃ so iniquity
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 19 of 19
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

Analysis & Commentary

"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin." God's judgment is personal and equitable—each person judged according to their own ways. The command to repent emphasizes both negative (turn from sin) and positive (turn to God) aspects. The phrase "so iniquity shall not be your ruin" promises that genuine repentance prevents destruction. This demonstrates God's desire: He judges justly but prefers mercy. The Reformed emphasis on God's sovereign grace appears alongside human responsibility—God commands repentance and grants it to the elect.

Historical Context

This summation (591 BC) concludes Ezekiel 18's teaching on individual responsibility. The exiles needed clear understanding: judgment is personal, not merely corporate or generational. Each person bears responsibility for their response to God. The call to repentance offered hope: genuine conversion prevents ruin despite past wickedness. This principle sustained Jewish faith through diaspora and shaped Christian soteriology—individual accountability before God, salvation through repentance and faith. The early church proclaimed this same message: repent and believe the gospel.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People