Bible Strands
Ezekiel 3:21
But if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he heeded your warning, and you will have saved yourself.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks to Ezekiel immediately after describing the liability for failing to warn a righteous man who turns to sin, just before commanding him to rise and go to the plain.
The words — הִזְהַרְתּוֹ (hiz.har.T/o) means "you have warned him," and צַדִּיק (tza.Dik) means "a righteous person."
The thread — The obligation to warn and instruct appears in 1 Timothy 4:16, Proverbs 9:9, and 1 Corinthians 4:14.
Why it lands — The text states that a righteous man who heeds the warning will live, and the messenger's responsibility is discharged. It requires the reader to deliver the warning without omission, noting that the outcome depends on the hearer's response and the messenger's compliance.
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
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
- Proverbs 9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
- 1 Corinthians 4:14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
- Titus 2:15 Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
- James 5:20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
- Psalms 19:11 By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.
- Ezekiel 3:19 But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.
- Acts 20:31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
- Galatians 1:6 I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
- 1 John 3:6 No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.