Ezekiel 18:28 kjv
Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Ezekiel 18:28 nkjv
Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
Ezekiel 18:28 niv
Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.
Ezekiel 18:28 esv
Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
Ezekiel 18:28 nlt
They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die.
Ezekiel 18 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 18:27 | When the wicked turns from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. | Immediate context for Ezekiel 18:28 |
| Ezekiel 33:11 | Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, why will you die, O house of Israel? | Reinforces God's desire for repentance |
| Acts 3:19 | Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, | New Testament call to repentance |
| Acts 20:21 | testifying with both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. | Links repentance to faith in Christ |
| 2 Peter 3:9 | The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. | God's patience and desire for repentance |
| Luke 15:7 | Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. | Jesus emphasizes joy in repentance |
| Romans 2:4 | Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? | God's kindness leads to repentance |
| Psalm 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. | The nature of acceptable repentance |
| Jeremiah 3:22 | "Return, O faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you with anger, for I am merciful; I will not keep anger forever. | God's mercy towards returning Israel |
| Proverbs 10:17 | Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejectsreproof leads others astray. | Link between instruction and life |
| Psalm 37:3-4 | Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. | Obedience and its blessings |
| Galatians 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Principle of sowing and reaping |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. | God's love and provision for salvation |
| Colossians 1:13 | He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, | Deliverance through Christ |
| Romans 6:4 | We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. | New life through Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 6:11 | And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. | Transformation through Christ |
| Philippians 3:7-9 | But whatever gain I had, I counted loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. | Faith in Christ supersedes legalism |
| 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. | Being a new creation in Christ |
| Revelation 3:19 | Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline, so be zealous and repent. | Exhortation to zealous repentance |
| Hosea 6:1-3 | "Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has wounded us, that he may bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the morning; he will come to us like the dawn, like the spring rains that water the earth." | Divine healing follows repentance |
Ezekiel 18 verses
Ezekiel 18 28 Meaning
This verse speaks of a turning point. When a wicked person abandons their evil deeds and begins to do what is right and just, they will live. It emphasizes God's desire for life and His willingness to forgive when repentance occurs. The act of turning from wickedness to righteousness is the condition for receiving God's mercy.
Ezekiel 18 28 Context
Ezekiel 18 is part of a larger discourse addressing the accusation that Israel's current suffering is due to their ancestors' sins, not their own. The prophet forcefully refutes this by asserting the principle of individual responsibility. God declares that a person is judged for their own actions. Verses 21-23 and 24-32 specifically highlight God's graciousness in turning from judgment to life if the wicked person repents and the righteous person does not turn from their righteousness. Ezekiel 18:28 serves as a concluding affirmation of this point. The audience, exiles in Babylon, needed assurance that their individual choices and repentance had direct consequences with God, not inherited blame or punishment. This passage challenges any fatalistic or deterministic view of their situation, placing the agency and responsibility squarely on the individual's response to God.
Ezekiel 18 28 Word Analysis
- Behold (H3: wə-)"And / moreover, behold," introduces a consequential statement, emphasizing the outcome.
- He turns (H3: šûḇ)- Root for "turn," "return," "repent." Connotes a fundamental change of direction, both external actions and internal disposition. Signifies a deliberate choice to alter one's path.
- From his transgression (H3: pəšaʿîḇ) "rebellion," "transgression," "sin." A willful turning away from God's law.
- Which he has (H3: ’ǎšer ḥāḇûl) "which he has done." Indicates actions already committed.
- Transgressed (H3: ’ĕlôhîm) "gods," but here in the context of sin, it implies acting against divine law or authority, possibly even idolatrous actions if viewed broadly. Correction: The Hebrew here is "pasha" - to rebel, to sin, transgress. 'Elokim is god. The original Hebrew is "pasha" meaning to rebel, to transgress.
- And (H3: wə-)"And" - Connects the repentance to the new behavior.
- Done (H3: ʿāśâ) "did," "made." Refers to actively performing righteous deeds.
- That which is lawful (H3: məšāp̄âṭ) "judgment," "ordinance," "justice." Connotes acting according to established divine or human (God-ordained) legal and moral standards.
- And right (H3: wayyāšêr) "right," "straight," "upright," "just." Refers to conforming to a morally correct standard; acting with integrity and fairness.
Word Group Analysis:
- "He turns from his transgression ... and done that which is lawful and right": This phrase encapsulates the essence of true repentance: a cessation of sin and the commencement of righteous living. It is not merely turning away from evil, but also actively pursuing good, a comprehensive life change.
Ezekiel 18 28 Bonus Section
The concept of "turning" (šûḇ) is a pivotal theme throughout the Old Testament, often used in calls for national and individual repentance. This verse in Ezekiel aligns with the broader prophetic message that God's judgment is not irreversible for those who truly change their hearts and actions. The parallel passages in Ezekiel 33:10-20 further expand on this theme, emphasizing that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they "turn from their ways and live." This individual accountability in righteousness and repentance is a significant theological development, moving away from earlier concepts that might have seemed more focused on corporate or generational sin. It highlights the personal relationship each individual has with God and their direct responsibility for their spiritual standing.
Ezekiel 18 28 Commentary
This verse underscores the immediate impact of genuine repentance. God does not withhold salvation when an individual abandons their wicked ways and embraces righteousness. The emphasis is on the act of turning and doing, signifying a visible and tangible change. This is not about earning salvation but about responding to God's offer of grace with a transformed life. The passage illustrates the merciful nature of God, who is ever-ready to receive back a wayward soul that decides to return.