Ezekiel 33 16

Ezekiel 33:16 kjv

None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

Ezekiel 33:16 nkjv

None of his sins which he has committed shall be remembered against him; he has done what is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

Ezekiel 33:16 niv

None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.

Ezekiel 33:16 esv

None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live.

Ezekiel 33:16 nlt

None of their past sins will be brought up again, for they have done what is just and right, and they will surely live.

Ezekiel 33 16 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Ezekiel 33:12"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."Ezekiel 18:23 (Parallel Theme)
Ezekiel 18:21"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 18:27 (Parallel Theme)
Jeremiah 3:12"Go and proclaim these words toward the north and say, ‘“Return, O faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD..."Jeremiah 3:22 (Mercy)
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."Luke 15:10 (Joy in Repentance)
Acts 3:19"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,"Acts 2:38 (Repentance and Forgiveness)
1 Corinthians 10:13"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."1 Cor 6:18 (Flee from immorality)
1 John 1:9"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."1 John 2:1 (Advocate)
Revelation 3:3"Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and keep it and repent. If you will not wake, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you."Revelation 3:19 (Repentance Encouraged)
Galatians 6:1"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness."Galatians 5:4 (Lost to Christ)
Psalm 51:17"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."Psalm 32:5 (Forgiveness)
Hebrews 12:1"Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,"Hebrews 12:4 (Endurance)
Romans 8:1"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."Romans 6:1 (Died to Sin)
Romans 11:20-22"...you were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you."Romans 15:4 (Scripture for Instruction)
John 8:11"She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”"John 5:14 (Sin no more)
Colossians 3:9-10"Do not lie to each other, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in the knowledge after the image of its creator."Colossians 3:5 (Put off the old)
Matthew 24:13"But the one who endures to the end will be saved."Matthew 7:13-14 (Wide/Narrow Gates)
Philippians 3:13-14"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."Philippians 3:9 (Righteousness from God)
2 Peter 3:18"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."2 Peter 3:14 (Blameless and Spotless)
Song of Solomon 1:6"Do not look at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me..."Song of Solomon 4:7 (Beauty in imperfection)
James 1:22"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."James 2:14 (Faith without works)

Ezekiel 33 verses

Ezekiel 33 16 Meaning

Ezekiel 33:16 states that any sin committed by a righteous person will not be remembered if they repent and do what is just and right. Their past righteousness will not be credited because of their current transgression. This emphasizes the continuous nature of righteousness and the possibility of a new beginning upon genuine repentance.

Ezekiel 33 16 Context

This verse appears in the latter part of Ezekiel, within a section that deals with divine judgment and restoration. Ezekiel is positioned as a watchman, responsible for warning the people of Israel. Chapters 33-39 reinforce themes of individual responsibility for sin and the consequences thereof, often referencing God’s faithfulness to His promises and His judgment on iniquity. The preceding verses in chapter 33 describe how the watchman's role is tied to the people's response. If the watchman warns, and the people heed, they save their lives. If they do not heed, their blood is on their own hands. This verse shifts the focus to the righteous person who sins, illustrating that a person’s past righteousness does not provide a blanket absolution for present disobedience. It underscores that continued obedience and adherence to God's covenant are paramount. The overall context is one of severe judgment upon Jerusalem for its unfaithfulness, but also a promise of future restoration for a remnant who return to God.

Ezekiel 33 16 Word Analysis

  • All (כָּל - kol) - Indicates completeness or entirety; all of his righteousness.
  • his (נְקִיֹּתָיו - nekiyotav) - Possessive pronoun referring to the righteous person.
  • righteousness (צְדָקָה - tzedakah) - Hebrew for justice, righteousness, charity, vindication. It encompasses actions conforming to God’s law and character.
  • which (אֲשֶׁר - asher) - Relative pronoun, connecting the transgression to the previously committed righteousness.
  • he (הוּא - hu) - Pronoun for the righteous person.
  • hath (עָשָׂה - asah) - Hebrew for "did," "made," or "committed." Refers to an action performed.
  • committed (פֶּשַׁע - pesha') - Hebrew for rebellion, transgression, sin, offense. Implies a willful breaking of divine law.
  • shall (חֵטְא - khet) - Hebrew for sin, iniquity, offense, guilt. A broader term for sin.
  • not (לֹא - lo) - Negation.
  • be (יֵחָשֵׁב - yechashev) - Hebrew for "will be counted," "will be imputed," or "will be reckoned."
  • remembered (אִתּוֹ - ito) - Hebrew for "with him." The sin will be reckoned against him.
  • in (בּוֹ - bo) - Preposition indicating in or with reference to him.
  • his (בְּצִדְקָתוֹ - betzidkato) - Possessive pronoun referring back to the righteous person.
  • wickedness (בְּמִשְׁפָּטוֹ - bemishpato) - Refers to his iniquities or unlawful deeds. This points to the specific acts of unrighteousness committed.

Group Analysis:

  • "All his righteousness which he hath committed": This phrase emphasizes the entirety of a person's previously performed righteous acts. The emphasis is on the totality of good deeds.
  • "shall not be remembered": The negative construct here is powerful, signifying that past merits are nullified by present sin. The act of "remembering" in God’s context refers to bringing to account or judgment.
  • "in his wickedness which he hath committed": This clause highlights the specific, often willful, nature of the transgression that causes the cancellation of prior good standing. The sins committed are what will be considered.

Ezekiel 33 16 Bonus Section

The Hebrew word tzedakah (צְדָקָה) encompasses more than just "righteousness" in the abstract sense. It includes justice, fairness, and acts of charity. This broader meaning implies that the righteousness mentioned here refers not only to personal piety but also to acting justly towards others, as per the covenant obligations. Ezekiel's message is rooted in the covenant relationship God has with Israel, where obedience is intrinsically linked to both individual righteousness and social justice. The principle echoes throughout Scripture, particularly in prophetic calls for repentance and restoration, indicating that a standing with God is dynamic, not static. It emphasizes the ongoing work of sanctification.

Ezekiel 33 16 Commentary

This verse confronts the idea that past good deeds can create an inviolable record, exempting an individual from future judgment due to subsequent sin. It stresses God’s perfect and continuous standard for righteousness. True faithfulness requires persistent obedience, not just a record of past achievements. When a person who has lived righteously falls into grievous sin, that sin becomes the new accounting marker for their relationship with God, at least for the moment of their transgression. This is not to say that God forgets the past, but rather that He judges based on the current state and actions. Genuine repentance and a return to just practices are then required to rectify the situation and begin rebuilding a righteous standing. This principle is vital for understanding God's call for constant vigilance and devotion, mirroring the New Testament concept of not persevering in sin after receiving the knowledge of truth. The gravity of sin is amplified when committed by someone who understood God’s ways.

Practical Usage Example: A believer who has a history of strong faith and service but begins to engage in a pattern of dishonest business practices cannot rely on their past service to excuse their present wrongdoing. They must acknowledge their sin, confess it, and actively change their behavior to align with God’s precepts again.