Ezekiel 3 19

Ezekiel 3:19 kjv

Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 3:19 nkjv

Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

Ezekiel 3:19 niv

But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.

Ezekiel 3:19 esv

But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Ezekiel 3:19 nlt

If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.

Ezekiel 3 verses

Ezekiel 3 19 Meaning

Ezekiel 3:19 signifies the divine principle of accountability, both for the messenger of God and the recipient of the divine message. It declares that if the prophet, acting as God's watchman, diligently warns a wicked person about their sinful lifestyle and the impending judgment, and that person refuses to turn from their sin, they will face the consequences of their unrepentance, perishing in their iniquity. However, having fulfilled the arduous duty of delivering the warning, the prophet themselves is cleared of any culpability for the individual's demise, thereby having delivered or saved their own soul from bearing the burden of guilt for another's fate. This highlights the prophet's responsibility to faithfully convey God's truth, and the wicked individual's ultimate responsibility for their own choices.

Ezekiel 3 19 Context

Ezekiel 3:19 is a pivotal verse within Ezekiel's initial calling and commission by God. Following a powerful vision of God's glory and a direct confrontation with Israel's rebellion, God appoints Ezekiel as a "watchman" over the house of Israel (Eze 3:17). This specific role entails a weighty responsibility: to deliver divine warnings to both the righteous and the wicked. The verses immediately preceding (Eze 3:18) articulate the prophet's personal peril if he fails to warn, indicating that the blood of the un-warned wicked will be on his hands. Therefore, verse 19, along with its counterpart in Ezekiel 33:1-9, clarifies the prophet's precise duty and the just outcome depending on both his faithfulness and the recipient's response. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, a time when Israel, due to generations of disobedience, was suffering divine judgment. Yet, amidst this judgment, God provides a way for individual responsibility and repentance, challenging the popular notion that sons bore the guilt of their fathers (Jer 31:29; Eze 18:2-3). The watchman motif stresses the urgency and the serious implications of the divine message for both the deliverer and the hearer.

Ezekiel 3 19 Word analysis

• "Yet if": Establishes a conditional statement, introducing the positive outcome for the faithful prophet, contrasting with the negative outcome for the unfaithful prophet mentioned in the preceding verse.
• "thou warn": From the Hebrew verb "זָהַר" (zahar), meaning "to admonish, caution, instruct, teach." This is an active and intentional act of conveying a serious message, implying clarity, urgency, and specific content (God's decree and a call to repentance). It's not passive witnessing but proactive prophetic engagement.
• "the wicked": From Hebrew "רָשָׁע" (rasha'), signifying one who is guilty, unrighteous, criminal, impious, or defiant towards divine law. This is a person living contrary to God's will.
• "and he turn not": This highlights the free will of the individual. "Turn" (שׁוּב, shuv) signifies "to repent, to return, to turn back." It implies a decisive change in behavior and disposition, not merely passive acknowledgement. The phrase underscores human stubbornness and resistance to divine correction.
• "from his wickedness": Refers to their state of unrighteousness and inherent moral corruption, the root cause.
• "nor from his wicked way": Focuses on the outward manifestations – their lifestyle, practices, and specific actions. The double emphasis indicates a refusal to change both the inward heart and outward conduct.
• "he shall die": A certain and definite consequence. In the prophetic context, "die" (מוּת, mut) primarily means to perish spiritually, to be cut off from God's favor and life, leading to eternal separation and judgment, although it can also have temporal implications.
• "in his iniquity": Hebrew "בַּעֲוֹנוֹ" (ba'awono), meaning "in his perversity, guilt, or sin." This emphasizes that the death is a direct, just consequence of their own unrepented sin, not arbitrary divine wrath. Their sin is both the cause and the state in which they perish.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "thou warn the wicked": This phrase encapsulates the core duty of the watchman, active and specific communication to those in danger, identifying the spiritual hazard. It speaks to the prophet's direct mission from God to confront sin.
• "he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way": This comprehensive description emphasizes the obstinate refusal to change both inward character ("wickedness") and outward actions ("wicked way"). It shows the full scope of a rebellious will.
• "he shall die in his iniquity": This strong declarative statement signifies inescapable, just judgment directly tied to personal responsibility. It removes any notion of being condemned unjustly, as their demise stems from their own unaddressed guilt.
• "but thou hast delivered thy soul": From Hebrew "וְאַתָּה אֶת־נַפְשְׁךָ הִצַּלְתָּ" (w'attah et-nafsh'ka hitsalta), meaning "and you, your life/self, you have delivered/rescued." This confirms the prophet's innocence and absolution from blame for the individual's choice. It signifies that the prophet has fulfilled their duty before God and will not be held accountable for the unresponsiveness of others, demonstrating divine justice toward the obedient messenger.

Ezekiel 3 19 Bonus section

• Implications for Modern Ministry: The "watchman" principle extends beyond Old Testament prophecy to New Testament evangelism and discipleship. Believers are called to share the truth of Christ and His kingdom, warning about sin and judgment while inviting repentance and faith (Acts 20:26-27). The comfort of this verse is that our accountability is for proclamation, not for persuasion. We are to sow the seed faithfully, but conversion is God's work, responsive to individual will.
• The Weight of Silence: The converse of this verse, mentioned in Ezekiel 3:18, reveals the severe consequence of a watchman's silence. It underscores that spiritual indifference or fear in delivering God's message can result in divine culpability for the messenger, reinforcing the urgency of speaking truth even when it is unwelcome.
• Spiritual Deliverance: "Delivered thy soul" is more than a legalistic acquittal. It suggests a profound spiritual and emotional relief for the messenger. Knowing one has discharged a grave responsibility before God frees the messenger from the crushing burden of another's lost eternity, allowing them to remain in good standing and fellowship with the Lord.
• Universal Moral Order: This verse subtly teaches a universal principle of morality and justice: consequences are inextricably linked to choices, particularly in matters of rebellion against divine standards. It illustrates that God is both just and merciful; He warns, but He also allows for personal accountability.

Ezekiel 3 19 Commentary

Ezekiel 3:19 establishes a fundamental tenet of divine justice and prophetic ministry: the clear distinction between responsibility for the message and responsibility for the response. God's unwavering character demands that His warning be clearly proclaimed through His chosen watchman. This is not merely a suggestion but an imperative for the prophet to actively and urgently inform the wicked of their peril. However, God equally upholds human agency. The verse clarifies that while God provides the opportunity for repentance through His warning, He does not override the wicked person's free will. If the wicked choose obstinacy over change, their demise is attributed solely to their own unrepentant sin. This outcome affirms divine righteousness, where the wages of sin are death, justly incurred by personal choice. Consequently, the prophet, having discharged their divine duty faithfully, is absolved from any responsibility for the recipient's negative outcome. This dual emphasis ensures justice: the unrepentant bear their own iniquity, and the faithful messenger is exonerated. It highlights the serious implications of both receiving and refusing God's truth.