Ezekiel 18:23
Ezekiel 18:23 in Multiple Translations
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?
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? saith the Lord Jehovah; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?
Have I any pleasure in the death of the evil-doer? says the Lord: am I not pleased if he is turned from his way so that he may have life?
Do I like it when wicked people die? declares the Lord God. Of course not—I would be delighted if they stopped sinning and lived!
Haue I any desire that the wicked should die, sayth the Lord God? or shall he not liue, if he returne from his wayes?
Do I at all desire the death of the wicked? An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, Is it not in his turning back from his way — And he hath lived?
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord GOD, “and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Is it my will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways, and live?
I, Yahweh the Lord, declare that I certainly am not [RHQ] happy about wicked people dying. Instead, I am happy when they turn away from their wicked behavior, andbecause of that, they remain alive.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 18:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 18:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֶ/חָפֹ֤ץ
אֶחְפֹּץ֙
מ֣וֹת
רָשָׁ֔ע
נְאֻ֖ם
אֲדֹנָ֣/י
יְהוִ֑ה
הֲ/ל֛וֹא
בְּ/שׁוּב֥/וֹ
מִ/דְּרָכָ֖י/ו
וְ/חָיָֽה
הֶ/חָפֹ֤ץ
châphêts
H2654
to delight in
Part | V-Qal-Ptc
אֶחְפֹּץ֙
châphêts
H2654
to delight in
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
מ֣וֹת
mâveth
H4194
death
N-ms
רָשָׁ֔ע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
נְאֻ֖ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
utterance
N-ms
אֲדֹנָ֣/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
Lord
N-mp | Suff
יְהוִ֑ה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
YHWH/God
N-proper
הֲ/ל֛וֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part | Part
בְּ/שׁוּב֥/וֹ
shûwb
H7725
to return
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
מִ/דְּרָכָ֖י/ו
derek
H1870
way
Prep | N-cp | Suff
וְ/חָיָֽה
châyâh
H2421
to live
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 18:23
הֶ/חָפֹ֤ץ
châphêts
H2654
"to delight in"
Part | V-Qal-Ptc
This verb means to be pleased with something or someone. In the Bible, it describes God's delight in his people and their desire to follow him, like in Psalm 51.
Definition: 1) to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with 1a) (Qal) 1a1) of men 1a1a) to take pleasure in, delight in 1a1b) to delight, desire, be pleased to do 1a2) of God 1a2a) to delight in, have pleasure in 1a2b) to be pleased to do
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would. See also: Genesis 34:19; Psalms 51:21; Psalms 18:20.
אֶחְפֹּץ֙
châphêts
H2654
"to delight in"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This verb means to be pleased with something or someone. In the Bible, it describes God's delight in his people and their desire to follow him, like in Psalm 51.
Definition: 1) to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with 1a) (Qal) 1a1) of men 1a1a) to take pleasure in, delight in 1a1b) to delight, desire, be pleased to do 1a2) of God 1a2a) to delight in, have pleasure in 1a2b) to be pleased to do
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would. See also: Genesis 34:19; Psalms 51:21; Psalms 18:20.
מ֣וֹת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
רָשָׁ֔ע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
נְאֻ֖ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
"utterance"
N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
אֲדֹנָ֣/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
"Lord"
N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
יְהוִ֑ה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
"YHWH/God"
N-proper
YHWH is a name for God, often used in combination with 'Lord'. It is similar to Yehovah, but with different vowels. This name emphasizes God's power and authority.
Definition: 1) Jehovah-used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah' 1a) equal to ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) but pointed with the vowels of e.lo.him (אֱלֹהִים "God" H0430)
Usage: Occurs in 296 OT verses. KJV: God. See also: Genesis 15:2; Ezekiel 14:21; Psalms 68:21.
הֲ/ל֛וֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
בְּ/שׁוּב֥/וֹ
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
מִ/דְּרָכָ֖י/ו
derek
H1870
"way"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
וְ/חָיָֽה
châyâh
H2421
"to live"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. See also: Genesis 5:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 22:27.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 18:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 18:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 18:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 18:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 18:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
- Sermons on Ezekiel 18:23
Context — The Soul Who Sins Will Die
21But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.
22None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live.
23Do 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?
24But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die. 25Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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?’ |
| 2 | 1 Timothy 2:4 | who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 18:32 | For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! |
| 5 | Luke 15:10 | In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” |
| 6 | Psalms 147:11 | The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion. |
| 7 | Luke 15:32 | But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” |
| 8 | Luke 15:22–24 | But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate. |
| 9 | Luke 15:4–7 | “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. |
| 10 | Exodus 34:6–7 | Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” |
Ezekiel 18:23 Summary
[God does not want anyone to die, but rather for everyone to turn from their sins and live. He is a loving and patient God, as seen in Ezekiel 18:23, and wants us to repent and turn to Him. This is also seen in 2 Peter 3:9, where it says that God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. By turning to God and following His ways, we can live a life that is pleasing to Him and experience His love and forgiveness.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Does God take pleasure in the death of the wicked?
No, according to Ezekiel 18:23, God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather desires that they turn from their ways and live, as also seen in 2 Peter 3:9 where it is written that God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
What is God's desire for those who are wicked?
God's desire is for the wicked to turn from their ways and live, as stated in Ezekiel 18:23, which is in line with His command to repent and turn to Him in Isaiah 55:7.
Is God's judgment unfair?
No, God's judgment is fair and just, as seen in Ezekiel 18:25, where He asks if His way is unjust, and in Romans 3:4, which says that God is always just in His words and blameless in His judgment.
How can a wicked person turn from their ways and live?
A wicked person can turn from their ways and live by keeping God's statutes, doing what is just and right, and practicing righteousness, as seen in Ezekiel 18:21-22, and by putting their faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in John 3:16.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can turn from my own wicked ways and live a righteous life?
- How can I share God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways with those around me?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to turn from my ways and live according to God's will?
- How can I trust in God's justice and fairness, even when I do not understand His ways?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 18:23
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God,.... Perish by sword, famine, or pestilence, or go into captivity; this, though the Lord's will and work, yet is his strange work; mercy is his delight.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 18:23
But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
Now, O ye perverse Jews! if by these truths you will judge of me, could it enter the thoughts of any one of you, that I should, as delighting in the death of sinners, impute other men’ s sins to you, that you might die for them, when I could not slay you for your own? Think not thus of the God of mercy, who pities, forbears, and though at last hath punished obstinate sinners, yet never delighted in their death. Is it not my command that you and other sinners repent? Have not you and others found mercy upon seeming repentance? And as for that repentance which is sound, it ever had a full pardon; and the promise of life and pardon hath been repeated and confirmed to you again and again; so that it is the most unjust, unreasonable, and impious quarrel you, O Jews, have taken up against your God, who would have you repent of your own sins, and you should live, but if you repent not, you shall die, but for your own sins, not your fathers’ . Since therefore I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God, turn yourselves, and live ye, as it is ; for this 23rd verse equally declares God’ s mercy and our duty, the one in his pleasure at our return, the other in our pleasing him herein.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
Ezekiel 18:23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?Ver. 23. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?] No, verily; for then he should do nothing but do and undo, make a world and unmake it again, since we provoke him continually; but he is longsuffering. “ Atque dolet quoties cogitur esse ferox. ” And not that he should return.] Had not I rather pardon than punish? Is not this last my work, my strange work
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
(23) Have I any pleasure at all?—This brings out that fundamental truth which underlies the whole teaching of both the Old and New Testaments, and which should have satisfied Israel of the Lord’s readiness to receive every penitent sinner. God created man; and when he had fallen, ordered both the old and the new dispensations, and employed methods of infinite love to win him to salvation. He can have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; His delight can only be when man fulfils the design for which he was created, and returns to obedience and communion with God. Yet neither, as is declared in the next verse, can the Almighty suffer that His creature should set at nought His love and despise His salvation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
Verse 23. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?] No! That is foreign to him whose name is love, and whose nature is mercy. On the contrary he "wills that he should return from his evil ways and live." And if God can have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, he cannot have made a decree to abandon him to the evil of his nature, and then damn him for what he could not avoid: for as God can do nothing with which he is not pleased, so he can decree nothing with which he is not pleased. But he is "not pleased with the death of a sinner," therefore he cannot have made a decree to bring him to this death.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 18:23
23. The verse meets a feeling of despair both in regard to themselves and in regard to God which was beginning to take possession of the minds of some, perhaps many, among the people. The despair in regard to themselves is seen in ch. Ezekiel 33:10-11, “We pine away in our iniquities, how should we live?” and the despair in regard to God, which is but another side of that in regard to themselves, is expressed in such passages as Lamentations 3:42-44, “We have rebelled and thou hast not pardoned … Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud that our prayer should not pass through.” The Lord had brought the evil on them which he had purposed (Lamentations 2:8; Lamentations 2:17), and it was final (Lamentations 2:9). The same despondency, though softened in some measure by the lapse of time, appears in another prophet, Isaiah 40:27-31; Isaiah 49:14, “Zion hath said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.” So long as the state existed the covenant might also be thought to remain, and the prophets could sustain the hearts of men by reminding them that the Lord was their God; but when the state fell and Israel was no more to appearance the people of Jehovah, they had to go behind the covenant and fall back on that unchanging nature of Jehovah which originated the covenant—that mercy which endureth for ever. The prevailing disposition of the mind of Jehovah was towards the salvation of men.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23
23. Have I any pleasure… that the wicked should die — The prophecies of coming calamity were regarded by many as not being from Jehovah at all.
Sermons on Ezekiel 18:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 31-35 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of churches putting on entertaining programs to draw crowds instead of focusing on sound doctrine. He emphasizes that people with it |
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Prayer Summit - Part 10 by Gerhard Dutoit by Gerhard Du Toit | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering all aspects of our lives to God, highlighting the profound love and sacrifice Jesus made for each individual, the power of the |
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The Sovereignty of God and the Responsibility of Man - Part 1 by Bob Hoekstra | In this sermon, the speaker explores the theological debate between Calvinism and Arminianism, which centers around the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. The speake |
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Free Grace by John Wesley | John Wesley passionately preaches on the concept of Free Grace, emphasizing that God's love and grace are freely given to all, regardless of human merit or actions. He argues again |
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The Examination of Conscience and the Resolution to Amend by Thomas a Kempis | Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of approaching the Sacrament with humility, faith, and reverence, urging believers to cleanse their conscience through true contrition and |
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Put Away the Wickedness by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome preaches about the importance of repentance, emphasizing God's desire for sinners to turn from their iniquity and seek His forgiveness. He highlights God's gracious |
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The Second Word by W.R. Inge | W.R. Inge preaches about the powerful transformation of the thief on the cross next to Jesus, who went from reviling Christ to repenting and confessing Him as the Son of God. This |