Ezekiel 18 21

Ezekiel 18:21 kjv

But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Ezekiel 18:21 nkjv

"But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

Ezekiel 18:21 niv

"But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.

Ezekiel 18:21 esv

"But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

Ezekiel 18:21 nlt

But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die.

Ezekiel 18 verses

Ezekiel 18 21 Meaning

Ezekiel 18:21 conveys a profound message of hope, individual accountability, and divine mercy. It asserts that if a wicked person completely abandons their sinful ways, genuinely obeys God's commandments, and consistently practices justice and righteousness, they will certainly live and not face the death (both spiritual and physical) associated with their past iniquity. This verse strongly refutes the idea of inherited guilt or irreversible condemnation based on one's past, emphasizing the possibility of redemption through repentance and transformed obedience.

Ezekiel 18 21 Context

Ezekiel chapter 18 directly challenges a prevailing proverb among the exiles in Babylon: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Ezek 18:2). This proverb suggested inherited guilt, meaning the present generation was suffering for the sins of their ancestors. The people felt hopeless and unjustly punished.

God, through Ezekiel, powerfully refutes this fatalistic view by affirming individual accountability and the possibility of genuine repentance. The chapter presents a series of legal-theological case studies: a righteous person (Ezek 18:5-9), a wicked son of a righteous father (Ezek 18:10-13), a righteous son of a wicked father (Ezek 18:14-17), and finally, the focus of verse 21, a wicked person who repents. This structured argument aims to demonstrate God's justice and His unwavering commitment to judging each individual according to their own actions, not their parentage or past behavior alone. Verse 21, therefore, provides hope that past wickedness is not an immutable sentence, and transformation through obedience leads to life.

Ezekiel 18 21 Word analysis

• But if (וְהָרָשָׁע כִּי - v'ha-rasha ki): Establishes a conditional contrast with the previous scenarios. It introduces a turning point and an opportunity for change, marking a significant shift in direction from the state of wickedness.
• a wicked person (הָרָשָׁע - ha-rasha): This Hebrew term refers to someone whose life is characterized by injustice, moral wrongdoing, and disregard for God's law. It denotes a person living in defiance of God, not merely one who has committed isolated bad acts. The definite article "the" suggests a general classification.
• turns away (יָשׁוּב - yashuv): Derived from the verb שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn," "return," or "repent." This is a crucial concept, implying a deliberate, active, and fundamental change of direction in one's life. It's not passive regret but an active reorientation towards God.
• from all the sins (מִכָּל חַטֹּאתָיו - mi-kol chato'tav): "All" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this turning. It signifies abandoning every single transgression, indicating a complete break with their former sinful lifestyle, not merely picking and choosing which sins to forsake.
• they have committed (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה - asher asah): Underscores personal responsibility for one's actions. The sins are not inherited but actively perpetrated by the individual.
• and keeps (וְשָׁמַר - v'shamar): From שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning "to watch," "guard," "observe," "obey." This is an active, diligent preservation and obedience to the commands, implying a commitment to living by them.
• all my decrees (אֶת כָּל חֻקּוֹתַי - et kol chukotai): "My decrees" refers to God's statutes, ordinances, and laws as revealed in the Mosaic covenant. "All" again emphasizes total adherence and comprehensive obedience, reflecting a heart fully committed to God's ways.
• and does (וְעָשָׂה - v'asah): From עָשָׂה (asah), meaning "to do," "make," "perform." This signifies practical, tangible action. The turning away from sin is accompanied by a positive performance of righteousness.
• what is just (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpat): Refers to justice, judgment, legal right. It implies fair dealings, upholding what is right in societal and legal contexts, showing equitable treatment to others, and ensuring justice for the vulnerable.
• and right (וּצְדָקָה - u'tzedakah): Refers to righteousness, equity, integrity. This term goes beyond merely adhering to rules; it implies an ethical uprightness in all aspects of life, maintaining a right relationship with God and others. Often, mishpat and tzedakah are paired, denoting holistic righteousness in action and character.
• that person will surely live; they will not die (חָיוֹ יִחְיֶה לֹא יָמוּת - hayo yichyeh lo yamut): This uses an emphatic construction ("to live, he will live"), strongly affirming the outcome. The "life" here is multifaceted:
  • Physical well-being/Longevity: A reversal of the consequences often associated with sin (disease, premature death).
  • Spiritual vitality/Restoration of fellowship: Being in right relationship with God, no longer spiritually alienated.
  • Community restoration: Reinstatement within the covenant community.
  • Future hope: Foretaste of eternal life and deliverance from divine judgment.
  • "Not die" directly counters the death pronouncements for persistent wickedness mentioned elsewhere in the chapter.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed": This phrase describes true repentance – a complete and conscious break from a lifestyle of sin, acknowledging personal culpability for past actions. It's a reorientation of the will and desire.
• "and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right": This second part highlights the active demonstration of repentance. It's not just ceasing to do wrong but actively doing what is right, demonstrating a transformed heart through obedient actions that embody justice and righteousness in both internal commitment and external conduct. It moves beyond passive abstention to active righteousness.
• "that person will surely live; they will not die": This is God's assured promise. The double emphasis on "live" reinforces the certainty and fullness of the life offered – deliverance from condemnation and a restoration to holistic well-being under God's favor. It speaks to God's redemptive heart, contrasting the dire consequences of unrepentant sin with the boundless grace extended to those who turn.

Ezekiel 18 21 Bonus section

The theological depth of Ezekiel 18:21 lies in its robust articulation of two foundational biblical truths: individual accountability and God's compassionate will for repentance. In an era where corporate identity and fate often overshadowed individual choices, Ezekiel underscores that one's personal trajectory is not merely determined by group identity or ancestral legacy. This emphasis on individual moral agency paved the way for a deeper understanding of personal faith. Furthermore, the strong emphasis on "shuv" (to turn) or repentance throughout the chapter highlights a recurrent theme in the prophetic tradition. It signifies a radical reorientation of the whole person, not just a superficial change of behavior. The repetition of "all" (sins, decrees) implies the necessity of comprehensive repentance and holistic obedience. This verse also implicitly foreshadows the New Covenant's promise of transformed hearts that are enabled to keep God's decrees, providing a way for humanity to truly "do what is just and right" as described here. It represents God's active pursuit of relationship even with those far from Him.

Ezekiel 18 21 Commentary

Ezekiel 18:21 is a powerful declaration of God's justice intertwined with His profound mercy. It shatters the notion of pre-determined doom based on past sins or ancestral guilt, which was a source of despair for the exiles. Instead, it asserts radical individual accountability and the ever-present opportunity for a new beginning. God explicitly states His willingness to forgive and restore life to anyone—even the deeply wicked—who genuinely repents. This repentance is not mere regret, but a transformative process involving a complete turning from all sin, an active commitment to obeying all of God's revealed laws, and the consistent practice of justice and righteousness in their daily lives. The promised "life" encompasses spiritual vitality, peace with God, and a reversal of the judgment of death. The verse powerfully underpins God's redemptive character, emphasizing that His ultimate desire is not the death of the wicked, but their repentance and restoration to life. It serves as a call to hope and personal responsibility for all who hear it.