Ezekiel 33 18

Ezekiel 33:18 kjv

When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

Ezekiel 33:18 nkjv

When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it.

Ezekiel 33:18 niv

If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, they will die for it.

Ezekiel 33:18 esv

When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it.

Ezekiel 33:18 nlt

For again I say, when righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and turn to evil, they will die.

Ezekiel 33 verses

Ezekiel 33 18 Meaning

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

Ezekiel 33 18 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's renewed commissioning as a watchman for Israel, building on the prophecy in chapter 33. The preceding verses (33:1-6) reiterate God's call for Ezekiel to warn the people. This specific verse, and the following ones in the chapter, address the people's perceived injustice and God's unchanging standards. They had complained that God's ways were unequal (Eze 33:17). God responds by reaffirming His principle of personal accountability: individuals will be judged for their own actions, not their ancestors' or even their own past righteousness if they turn away from it. This message directly contrasts with the fatalistic or unjust blame the people felt was being placed upon them. Ezekiel's role is to be a mouthpiece for God, conveying this truth of individual responsibility.

Ezekiel 33 18 Word Analysis

• And (וְ‎ ve): A common conjunction, linking clauses or ideas, here connecting the concept of the righteous person turning to their fate.
• When (כִּֽי־‎ ki-): This particle can mean "when," "if," "for," or "that." Here, it introduces a conditional statement.
• the righteous (צַדִּיק‎ tsaddiq): One who is in right relationship with God, characterized by justice, fairness, and obedience. This state is not self-achieved but a gift through faithfulness.
• turns (יָסוּר‎ yasur): From the root suwr, meaning "to turn aside," "depart," "remove." It signifies a deliberate act of abandoning a previous course.
• away (מִצִּדְקָתוֹ‎ mittsdaqatho): "from his righteousness." This specifies what is being turned away from – the state or practice of righteousness.
• and (וְ‎ ve): Another connecting conjunction.
• commits (וְעָשָׂה‎ veʿasah): From the verb ʿasah, "to do," "make," "commit." It denotes the action of performing.
• iniquity (עָוֶל‎ ʿāwel): Wrongdoing, injustice, crookedness. It's a general term for sin.
• for (בְּעָוֺנוֹ‎ beʿāwono): "in his iniquity."
• which (אֲשֶׁר‎ aser): Relative pronoun.
• he has committed (חָמָס‎ hamas): "violence," "wrong," "injustice." Here it likely encompasses the specific sins committed, emphasizing their egregious nature.

Word Group Analysis:

• "When the righteous turns away from his righteousness": This phrase is critical. It doesn't mean the inherently righteous can lose their core righteousness in an instant like a forfeiture of salvation in Calvinist theology. Instead, it refers to a deliberate and persistent departure from the practice of righteousness, the walking in right ways. It’s a moral turning, a forsaking of God's paths for paths of sin.
• "and commits iniquity": This complements the turning away. The abandonment of righteousness is manifested in the commission of sin, described here with terms implying unjust or violent acts, highlighting the gravity of the transgression.
• "for his iniquity which he has committed, he shall die.": This is the consequence. Death, in the Old Testament, can refer to physical death, but also spiritual separation from God, or even cessation of existence. The "iniquity which he has committed" points to the specific sins that have been done, reinforcing individual accountability. The death is a direct result of his actions.

Ezekiel 33 18 Bonus Section

This verse reflects a similar sentiment to the warnings found in both Old and New Testaments about persevering in faith. It speaks to the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings and the personal responsibility of the believer to remain in relationship with God through obedience and faithfulness. The concept of "dying for his iniquity" can be understood not only as temporal punishment but also as a potential loss of fellowship with God and eternal separation, depending on the completeness and persistence of the turning away. It's crucial to balance this with verses on God's immeasurable grace and the secure hope believers have in Christ, ensuring this passage isn't used to promote a doctrine of works-based salvation or the terrifying possibility of losing one's salvation based on transient failures rather than a persistent rejection of God. The context within Ezekiel is God's response to the people's complaints about His justice; He is assuring them that His justice is fair and that He holds individuals accountable for their own choices.

Ezekiel 33 18 Commentary

This verse underscores a fundamental principle of divine justice: individual accountability. God's judgment is not based on corporate identity or past merits alone, but on the present state of one's heart and actions. If a person who has been living righteously decides to persistently turn away from God and actively pursue sin, they will face death as a consequence of those unrighteous actions. This does not negate God's grace or the efficacy of past righteousness, but highlights that a willful apostasy from a life of righteousness incurs God's judgment for the sins committed during that departure. It serves as a stern warning against complacency and emphasizes the ongoing need for vigilance and faithfulness in one's walk with God.

Practical Usage Example: A person who has been a devoted Christian for years, known for their good works and sound doctrine, might begin to dabble in sinful practices, eventually becoming habitually involved in serious sin, forsaking their former commitment to live according to God's word. If they persist in this unrighteous path without repentance, this verse speaks to the serious spiritual consequence that awaits them for those specific transgressions.