Ezekiel Chapter 33 · Verse 10
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?
Original Language Analysis
בֶן
Therefore O thou son
H1121
בֶן
Therefore O thou son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֗ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֗ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 19
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
בֵּ֣ית
unto the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
unto the 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
כֵּ֤ן
H3651
כֵּ֤ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
פְשָׁעֵ֥ינוּ
If our transgressions
H6588
פְשָׁעֵ֥ינוּ
If our transgressions
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
12 of 19
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
וְחַטֹּאתֵ֖ינוּ
and our sins
H2403
וְחַטֹּאתֵ֖ינוּ
and our sins
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
13 of 19
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
עָלֵ֑ינוּ
H5921
עָלֵ֑ינוּ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Isaiah 49:14But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.Ezekiel 37:11Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.Ezekiel 24:23And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.Ezekiel 4:17That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.Leviticus 26:39And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.
Historical Context
After Jerusalem's destruction (585 BC), surviving exiles felt crushed by guilt. The question "how should we then live?" expressed genuine despair. Jeremiah's Lamentations captures this overwhelming grief. God's response through Ezekiel offered hope: genuine repentance brings restoration. The exile taught that sin brings severe consequences, but God's mercy transcends deserved judgment. This sustained Jewish faith through diaspora and prefigures gospel message: though sin deserves death, God offers life through repentance and faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How should awareness of sin's seriousness drive you toward gospel hope rather than despair?
- What is the relationship between genuine guilt over sin and confident hope in God's mercy?
Analysis & Commentary
"Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?" The exiles' question expresses despair: if sin's consequences are irreversible, how can we survive? God's answer (verse 11) offers hope through repentance. This demonstrates that divine judgment aims toward restoration, not mere punishment. The Reformed emphasis on God's mercy appears: judgment's purpose is revealing sin's seriousness and driving sinners to repentance. Despair over sin should lead to gospel hope, not fatalistic resignation.