Bible Strands
Ezekiel 18:28
Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ezekiel addresses the exiled house of Israel at the close of a paragraph on individual moral accountability, explaining the fate of a wicked man who repents.
The words — וַ/יָּ֔שָׁב (va/i.ya.shov) means "and he turned away," while חָי֥וֹ (cha.Yo) and יִחְיֶ֖ה (yich.Yeh) literally render "certainly live" and "he will live."
The thread — This pattern of turning from sin to receive life appears in Deuteronomy 32:29, Luke 15:17, and Colossians 3:5.
Why it lands — The text states that abandoning all committed transgressions guarantees life and prevents death. This requires a reader to accept that personal repentance, not inherited guilt or divine caprice, determines the outcome.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 32:29 If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
- Luke 15:17 Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!
- Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
- James 2:10 Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
- Psalms 119:1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.
- Psalms 119:6 Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.
- Psalms 119:59 I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.
- Jeremiah 31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God.
- Ezekiel 12:3 Therefore, son of man, pack your bags for exile. In broad daylight, set out from your place and go to another as they watch. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.
- Ezekiel 18:14 Now suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father has committed, considers them, and does not do likewise: