Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Original Language Analysis
הַשְׁלִ֣יכוּ
Cast away
H7993
הַשְׁלִ֣יכוּ
Cast away
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
1 of 18
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֗ם
H5921
מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֗ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 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 #:
4 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פִּשְׁעֵיכֶם֙
from you all your transgressions
H6588
פִּשְׁעֵיכֶם֙
from you all your transgressions
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
5 of 18
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
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
פְּשַׁעְתֶּ֣ם
whereby ye have transgressed
H6586
פְּשַׁעְתֶּ֣ם
whereby ye have transgressed
Strong's:
H6586
Word #:
7 of 18
to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel
וַעֲשׂ֥וּ
and make
H6213
וַעֲשׂ֥וּ
and make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֵ֥ב
heart
H3820
לֵ֥ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
11 of 18
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְר֣וּחַ
spirit
H7307
וְר֣וּחַ
spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
13 of 18
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וְלָ֥מָּה
H4100
וְלָ֥מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תָמֻ֖תוּ
for why will ye die
H4191
תָמֻ֖תוּ
for why will ye die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
16 of 18
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Cross References
Psalms 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.Ezekiel 36:26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.Ezekiel 11:19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:Romans 8:13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.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?Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:1 Peter 2:1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Ezekiel 20:7Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Historical Context
The command (591 BC) to make new hearts seems contradictory since only God can regenerate. However, it emphasizes human responsibility to repent and believe. The imperative drives awareness of inability, creating dependence on grace. This shaped Reformed soteriology: commands reveal inability, demonstrating need for sovereign grace. God commands repentance, convicts of sin, and grants repentance—accomplishing through grace what law demands but cannot produce.
Questions for Reflection
- How do commands to do what only God can do drive dependence on sovereign grace?
- What is the relationship between divine initiative in regeneration and human responsibility to repent?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" God commands what He also promises (11:19, 36:26)—a new heart. This paradox reflects both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. We cannot make ourselves new hearts, yet we must repent and believe. God commands the impossible to demonstrate need for grace, then provides what He demands. The question "why will ye die?" places responsibility on those who refuse despite clear warning and gracious offer.