Bible Strands
Ezekiel 33:18
If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he will die for it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Ezekiel addresses the exiled Israelites during a period of renewed judgment and warning. He speaks to correct their complaint that God’s ways are unjust by establishing individual moral accountability.
The words — The Hebrew term צַדִּיק (tza.Dik) denotes a righteous person, while עָוֶל ('A.vel) means unrighteousness or iniquity. The verb שׁוּב (shuv) literally means to turn back or depart, indicating a deliberate reversal of moral standing.
The thread — This principle of conditional standing appears in Ezekiel 33:12, which states that past righteousness will not deliver one on the day of transgression. The New Testament echoes this warning in Hebrews 10:38 regarding shrinking back and in 2 Peter 2:20 regarding escaping corruption.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers recognize moral standing is maintained by continued obedience, not secured by past virtue. It requires immediate self-examination rather than reliance on historical faith or merit.
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
When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 33:12 Therefore, son of man, say to your people: ‘The righteousness of the righteous man will not deliver him in the day of his transgression; neither will the wickedness of the wicked man cause him to stumble on the day he turns from his wickedness. Nor will the righteous man be able to survive by his righteousness on the day he sins.’
- Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
- 2 Peter 2:20 If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
- Ezekiel 18:26 If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has committed.
- Ezekiel 3:20 Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.