Ezekiel 33:4 kjv
Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
Ezekiel 33:4 nkjv
then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head.
Ezekiel 33:4 niv
then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.
Ezekiel 33:4 esv
then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
Ezekiel 33:4 nlt
Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die.
Ezekiel 33 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 3:18 | "When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak to warn the wicked from their wicked way, to save their life, that wicked person shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand." | Duty of watchman, consequence of failure |
| Ezekiel 3:20 | "Again, when I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you see him and he turns from his wickedness and turns from his way and saves his life, that person shall die in their iniquity, but you have saved your life." | Warning leading to repentance |
| Ezekiel 18:4 | "Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die." | Principle of individual accountability |
| Ezekiel 18:27 | "If the wicked turn from all the 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." | Possibility of repentance and life |
| Isaiah 58:1 | "Shout aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins." | Prophet's call to bold proclamation |
| Jeremiah 6:17 | "I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’" | Israel's refusal to heed warnings |
| Romans 3:23 | "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" | Universal sinfulness |
| Romans 6:23 | "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." | Consequences of sin vs. gift of God |
| 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." | God provides a way of escape |
| Hebrews 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." | Power and discernment of God's Word |
| James 5:20 | "let him know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." | The reward of turning a sinner from their error |
| 1 Peter 4:17 | "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" | Judgment beginning with believers |
| Acts 20:26 | "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you," | Paul's accountability as a minister |
| Acts 20:31 | "for I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears." | Diligence in warning |
| Luke 12:48 | "But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a flogging, will receive a flogging. And to whom much is given, from him much will be asked, and to whom more is entrusted, from him more will be demanded." | Accountability for those with greater knowledge/responsibility |
| Psalm 141:5 | "Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head; let my head never refuse it." | Welcoming rebuke as an act of kindness |
| Proverbs 27:5 | "Better is open rebuke than hidden love." | Value of open correction |
| 2 Timothy 4:2 | "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." | Mandate for teaching and reproof |
| Revelation 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to give to each as his work shall be." | Christ's coming judgment |
Ezekiel 33 verses
Ezekiel 33 4 Meaning
This verse declares the severe consequences of inaction and silence when observing wrongdoing that leads to death. The watchman's responsibility is to warn the people of impending spiritual or physical destruction, and failure to do so results in that destruction being charged to his account.
Ezekiel 33 4 Context
Chapter 33 of Ezekiel begins with Ezekiel being appointed as a watchman for the house of Israel. The people have been in exile in Babylon, and reports have reached them of Jerusalem's fall. In this chapter, God reiterates the responsibility of the watchman to deliver His warnings. If the watchman fails to warn the wicked when disaster is imminent, and the wicked perishes due to that disaster, then the watchman will be held accountable for that person's death. However, if the watchman does warn the wicked, and the wicked does not repent, then the wicked perishes in their sin, but the watchman's life is preserved. This verse specifically highlights the gravity of the watchman's silence when faced with the consequence of death for the community. It underscores the accountability that comes with spiritual leadership or even just knowledge of impending spiritual danger.
Ezekiel 33 4 Word Analysis
- וְאִם (ve-im): "And if." This is a conjunctive particle introducing a conditional statement, linking this scenario to the preceding verses, which describe the positive outcome of warning.
- רָאָה (ra'ah): "saw." The Hebrew word for "see" encompasses more than just visual perception; it implies understanding, observation, and becoming aware. In this context, it means to perceive or recognize the danger.
- הַשּׁוֹפֵר (ha-shofar): "the trumpet." A ram's horn used for signals in ancient Israel. The sounding of the trumpet was a signal of impending danger, war, or a call to assembly. Its sound was critical for alarm and readiness.
- וְלֹא (v'lo): "and not." A negation particle.
- הִתֵּן (hitten): "gave warning." The root is נָתַן (natan), meaning "to give." Here, it implies "to cause to sound," specifically the trumpet, or more broadly, to "give warning."
- הַמַּזְמֵרָה (ha-mazmerah): "warning." Related to sounding the alarm, to cause to take heed or be warned. It emphasizes the active nature of the message.
- עַל (al): "upon." A preposition indicating "over," "against," or "on." Here it signifies the burden or responsibility placed upon the person.
- עַמּוֹ (ammo): "his people." Refers to the community, the house of Israel.
- וְלֹא (v'lo): "and not." Another negation.
- הִכָּרֵת (hikkaret): "was cut off" or "perished." From the root כָּרַת (karat), meaning "to cut off." It denotes destruction, extermination, or demise. This refers to the death of an individual.
- בַּעֲוֺנוֹ (ba'avon): "in his iniquity." "Iniquity" or "perversity." This emphasizes that the person perishes because of their own sin, not solely because of the watchman's inaction, but the watchman contributes to the outcome by their silence.
- וְדָמוֹ (v'damo): "and his blood." Represents his life, the vital essence.
- מִיֶּדְךָ (midyedecha): "from your hand." This phrase signifies accountability and responsibility. Just as blood on one's hand signifies guilt, failure to warn leads to being responsible for the blood (life) of another.
Group Analysis
- "And if the watchman saw the trumpet and did not give warning to his people...": This clause establishes a direct causal link between seeing a threat (signaled by the trumpet) and the obligation to act. The watchman's duty is defined by perception and proactive communication.
- "...and a sword came and took a life from among them...": This describes the consequence of inaction – death, often through invasion or conflict, symbolizing divine judgment or the result of societal apostasy.
- "...that person was taken from it in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand.": This powerful statement encapsulates the core message: while the individual's sin is the ultimate cause of their perishing ("in his iniquity"), the watchman's failure to warn makes him liable for that life ("his blood I will require from your hand").
Ezekiel 33 4 Bonus Section
The concept of a "watchman" (צֹפֶה - tzofeh) was a prominent metaphor in the Old Testament for prophets and leaders tasked with guarding God's people against spiritual and physical dangers. This verse highlights a reciprocal relationship: God provides the warning through His appointed individuals, and the individuals have the responsibility to heed that warning. The use of "blood" signifies the totality of life, and holding someone "responsible for blood" was a profound accusation in the ancient world, carrying severe consequences. The specific mention of "his iniquity" is important, as it reinforces the doctrine of personal responsibility for sin; God's judgment is always just, and no one is condemned without cause. However, the watchman's failure is presented as a co-consequence, making his negligence directly culpable.
Ezekiel 33 4 Commentary
Ezekiel 33:4 illustrates the critical role of God's spokespeople – prophets, pastors, and indeed all believers who have knowledge of spiritual truth – in warning others about the destructive consequences of sin. The imagery of the watchman and the trumpet is vivid and direct. The trumpet's blast was a universally understood alarm that demanded an immediate response.
The verse doesn't merely suggest a gentle suggestion; it conveys a solemn responsibility. If a watchman, seeing danger, remains silent, he becomes complicit in the ensuing destruction. The phrase "his blood I will require from your hand" is a weighty charge, indicating a direct accountability for the lives lost due to a lack of warning.
This principle extends beyond ancient Israel. In the New Testament, the call to "go and make disciples" and to preach the Gospel carries the same essence of vital communication to save lives. Believers are called to be light and salt, sharing God's truth not to condemn, but to offer salvation and a path away from destruction. Failure to share this life-giving message, when one has the means and opportunity, can have serious spiritual implications for oneself and others. It highlights that spiritual oversight involves not just proclaiming God's grace but also His judgment when that grace is rejected.