Ezekiel 18 26

Ezekiel 18:26 kjv

When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

Ezekiel 18:26 nkjv

When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.

Ezekiel 18:26 niv

If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die.

Ezekiel 18:26 esv

When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die.

Ezekiel 18:26 nlt

When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds.

Ezekiel 18 verses

Ezekiel 18 26 Meaning

Ezekiel 18:26 declares that if a righteous person deviates from their righteous conduct, commits iniquity, and dies in that sinful state, their death is a direct consequence of the iniquity they committed. It emphasizes individual accountability and the severity of persistently embracing unrighteousness after having lived righteously. This verse underscores God's principle of judging individuals based on their final state of adherence to or rebellion against His commands.

Ezekiel 18 26 Context

Ezekiel chapter 18, including verse 26, is part of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry during the Babylonian exile (around 593-571 BC). The exiles in Babylon were clinging to a proverb: "The fathers eat sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge" (Ezek 18:2; Jer 31:29). This proverb implied that the current generation was suffering due to the sins of their ancestors, effectively denying their own responsibility for their situation and challenging God's justice.

In response, God, through Ezekiel, directly refutes this notion. The entire chapter serves as a profound theological exposition on individual accountability, divine justice, and the dynamic nature of a person's relationship with God. God states unequivocally, "The soul who sins will die" (Ezek 18:4, 20). He presents three scenarios: a righteous father with a wicked son, a wicked father with a righteous son, and critically, a person's own changing moral trajectory – turning from wickedness to righteousness, and conversely, turning from righteousness to wickedness. Verse 26 falls within this last scenario, highlighting the grave consequences for a person who, having once walked righteously, deviates and dies unrepentant in their new path of iniquity. It is a polemic against fatalism and hereditary guilt, asserting that God judges each person according to their own actions and present moral state.

Ezekiel 18 26 Word analysis

• "When" (כְּבִגּוֹעַ k’viggōa‘ - derived from the root בּוֹא bō’ meaning 'when', 'at the entry of', or more literally 'in his coming'/'in his turning'): This particle introduces a conditional clause, indicating a specific circumstance under which the stated consequence will occur. It highlights the dynamic and temporal nature of the moral state being described; it’s a specific point in time or a shift.
• "a righteous man" (צַדִּיק tzaddiq): This Hebrew term denotes someone who is just, innocent, and lives in conformity to God’s law. It's not necessarily a state of inherent perfection, but rather a practical demonstration of covenant faithfulness through righteous actions and conduct before God and man. This character is distinguished by their adherence to God’s commands (Ezek 18:5-9).
• "turns away" (סוּר sur): The verb implies a conscious deviation, departure, or apostasy from a path or standard. It suggests an intentional choice to depart from previously held righteous principles or actions. This is an active turning away from.
• "from his righteousness" (מִצִּדְקָתוֹ mitzidaqātō): Literally, "from his justice" or "from his righteous acts/state." This refers to the previous commendable actions and character that marked the individual as righteous. It emphasizes that the person is moving away from their own established pattern of right living.
• "and commits iniquity" (וְעָשָׂה עָוֶל ve'asah 'avel): "Commits" (וְעָשָׂה ve'asah): "and does" or "and makes," indicating an active perpetration of deeds. "Iniquity" (עָוֶל 'avel): This noun signifies perversity, unrighteousness, injustice, or moral wrong. It’s a violation of divine or moral law. The phrase implies engaging in unrighteous behavior and adopting a life contrary to God's will.
• "and dies in it" (וָמֵת בָּהֶם va-met bahem): "And dies" (וָמֵת va-met): Signifies physical death but, in the broader context of Ezekiel 18, primarily denotes spiritual death – separation from God, being cut off from His life-giving presence, or enduring divine judgment and curses instead of life and blessing (shalom). "In it" (בָּהֶם bahem): Refers to "the iniquity" or the state of unrighteousness. This crucial phrase emphasizes that the person's demise occurs while they are persisting in their sinful state, without repentance or turning back to God.
• "it is because of the iniquity" (עַל־עֲוֹנוֹ אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה ‘al ‘avonō ’ašer ‘āsāh): "Because of" (עַל־ ‘al): Implies direct causality or responsibility. "Iniquity" (עֲוֹן 'avō): This term speaks of guilt, punishment for iniquity, or the iniquity itself. "Which he has committed" (אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה ’ašer ‘āsāh): Reinforces the individual's direct culpability for their actions. It negates any notion of inherited guilt or arbitrary judgment; the consequence is tied directly to their own deeds.
• "that he will die" (יָמוּת yamut): A conclusive statement reaffirming the outcome: death, consistent with the repeated phrase "the soul who sins will die." This emphasizes the certain consequence of unrepentant sin for the one who departs from righteousness.

• "When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness": This phrase emphasizes the dynamic nature of a person's spiritual standing. Righteousness in the Old Testament is not a static state of imputed perfection (though God imputes righteousness) but involves continued righteous conduct and covenant fidelity. This highlights the possibility of deviation even after a period of living in alignment with God's commands. It signifies a profound shift in moral direction.
• "and commits iniquity and dies in it": This is a powerful summary of a life trajectory that ends tragically. It highlights that the consequence (death) is tied not just to committing a sin, but to living in that state of iniquity up until the point of death, implying a lack of repentance or return to righteousness. This "death" includes physical, but importantly also spiritual and covenantal consequences—being cut off from God's life-giving presence and blessings.
• "it is because of the iniquity which he has committed that he will die": This phrase directly links the individual's demise to their personal sin. It underscores the theme of individual responsibility, entirely dismantling the "sour grapes" proverb. There is no external blame or inherited curse; the consequence is a direct result of their own actions and choices. This stresses divine justice and a system where individual actions have specific, unavoidable consequences.

Ezekiel 18 26 Bonus section

Ezekiel 18:26 reinforces the idea that while God's mercy offers an opportunity for the wicked to turn and live (Ezek 18:21), the inverse is also true: for the righteous to turn from their way also carries dire consequences. This illustrates the dynamic and responsive nature of God's covenant relationship with His people. It’s not a static, irreversible state, but a walk that requires continued diligence and faithfulness. The verse directly addresses the personal will and choices of the individual. The "righteousness" of the person in Ezekiel 18 is primarily observed righteousness—actions demonstrating adherence to God’s laws. The falling away signifies not a minor lapse, but a profound and persistent abandonment of this former way of life, leading to the condition where one "dies in" their iniquity. This highlights that one's final state and the path chosen until death are crucial in God's judgment.

Ezekiel 18 26 Commentary

Ezekiel 18:26 encapsulates a core theological truth about God's just governance and the principle of individual accountability within the covenant. In a context where the exiles sought to blame their ancestors for their suffering, this verse, along with the entire chapter, vehemently denies hereditary guilt for one's own ultimate spiritual demise. It powerfully states that one who once walked in righteousness but then actively departs, committing unrighteous deeds and persisting in them until death, will justly incur death.

The "death" here refers to spiritual separation from God, often manifested in temporal judgment, being cut off from covenant blessings, and the ultimate loss of divine favor and eternal life. It’s not simply about physical cessation but a deeper spiritual consequence. The key phrase "dies in it" underscores the unrepentant nature of the individual's state at the point of their judgment; their last stand was one of defiance or continued sin, not turning back to God.

This verse emphasizes the serious consequences of apostasy or turning away from God. It serves as a stark warning, particularly relevant for those who assume that past righteous acts somehow inoculate them from future judgment. It teaches that one's final moral standing, reflective of their choices and commitment to God's ways, determines their ultimate outcome. God's justice is always conditional upon a person's present and final disposition towards Him and His commands, underscoring that covenant life demands continued fidelity and obedience.

Examples:

• A person who served faithfully in ministry for years but then consciously abandons their faith and embraces sinful practices without repentance.
• Someone who once walked in integrity but then falls into deep-seated dishonesty, cheating others, and never turns back.