Ezekiel 33:11

Authorized King James Version

Say 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?

Word-by-Word Analysis

אֱמֹ֨ר

H559

Say

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חַי

H2416

unto them As I live

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָ֣נִי׀

H589

נְאֻ֣ם׀

H5002

saith

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֣י

H136

the Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֗ה

H3069

GOD

god

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶחְפֹּץ֙

H2654

I have no pleasure

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

#10

בְּמ֣וֹת

H4194

in the death

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

#11

רָשָׁ֛ע

H7563

but that the wicked

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

#12

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#13

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#14

שׁ֜וּבוּ

H7725

turn

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#15

רָשָׁ֛ע

H7563

but that the wicked

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

#16

מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֧ם

H1870

from his way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#17

וְחָיָ֑ה

H2421

and live

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

#18

שׁ֜וּבוּ

H7725

turn

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#19

שׁ֜וּבוּ

H7725

turn

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#20

מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֧ם

H1870

from his way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#21

הָרָעִ֛ים

H7451

ye from your evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#22

וְלָ֥מָּה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#23

תָמ֖וּתוּ

H4191

for why will ye die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#24

בֵּ֥ית

H1004

O house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#25

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ezekiel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Ezekiel.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 33 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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