Bible Strands
Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord GOD speaks through the prophet Ezekiel to the exiled house of Israel, concluding a discourse on individual responsibility and divine justice.
The words — The Hebrew אֶחְפֹּץ ('echpotz) means "I take pleasure," paired with לֹא (lo') "not," forming the declaration that Yahweh's utterance is against delighting in the death of the one who dies.
The thread — This declaration echoes Ezekiel 18:23 and 33:11, where God explicitly denies taking pleasure in the wicked's death, and aligns with 2 Peter 3:9's statement that God is patient, not desiring anyone to perish.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate repentance as the necessary condition for life, placing the responsibility for survival squarely on the listener's choice to abandon transgression.
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
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Cross-references
- 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
- Ezekiel 18:23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?
- Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
- Lamentations 3:33 For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.