Ezekiel 18:9
Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
יְהַלֵּ֛ךְ
Hath walked
H1980
יְהַלֵּ֛ךְ
Hath walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 13
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וּמִשְׁפָּטַ֥י
my judgments
H4941
וּמִשְׁפָּטַ֥י
my judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
שָׁמַ֖ר
and hath kept
H8104
שָׁמַ֖ר
and hath kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת
to deal
H6213
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת
to deal
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱמֶ֑ת
truly
H571
אֱמֶ֑ת
truly
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
6 of 13
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 13
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
יִֽחְיֶ֔ה
he shall surely
H2421
יִֽחְיֶ֔ה
he shall surely
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
9 of 13
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
יִֽחְיֶ֔ה
he shall surely
H2421
יִֽחְיֶ֔ה
he shall surely
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
10 of 13
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
Cross References
Amos 5:4For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:Ezekiel 20:11And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.Habakkuk 2:4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.Ezekiel 18:17That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.1 John 2:29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.Romans 1:17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Historical Context
In the Deuteronomic covenant, obedience brought life and blessing, disobedience brought death and curse (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). Ezekiel applies this principle individually: each person's fate depends on their own righteousness or wickedness. This prepares for the New Covenant where Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, producing obedient fruit.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we hold together faith alone for salvation with the fruit of obedience as evidence?
- What does 'surely live' mean in both temporal and eternal dimensions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.' This verse summarizes: covenant faithfulness (walking in statutes), obedience (keeping judgments), and integrity (dealing truly). The divine verdict: 'he is just, he shall surely live.' The Hebrew chayah chayah ('live, live') uses emphatic repetition—absolute certainty. This life includes both temporal blessing and eternal salvation, depending on context.