Ezekiel 33:7-9

7 "Now as for you, son of man, I have 1appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them 2warning from Me.
8 "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will 3surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand.
9 "But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he 4does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have 5delivered your life.

Ezekiel 33:7-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 33

This chapter treats of the prophet's duty, and the people's sins; contains a vindication of the justice of God; a threatening of destruction to those who remained in the land after the taking of the city; and a detection of the hypocrisy of the prophet's hearers. The duty of a watchman in general is declared, Eze 33:1-6, an application of this to the prophet, Eze 33:7: the sum of whose business is to warn the wicked man of his wickedness; and the consequence of doing, or not doing it, is expressed, Eze 33:8,9, an objection of the people, and the prophet's answer to it, Eze 33:10,11, who is bid to acquaint them, that a righteous man trusting to his righteousness, and sinning, should not live; and that a sinner repenting of his sins should not die, Eze 33:12-16, the people's charge of inequality in the ways of God is retorted upon them, and removed from the Lord, and proved against them, Eze 33:17-20, then follows a prophecy, delivered out after the news was brought of the taking of the city, threatening with ruin those that remained in the land, confident of safety, and that for their sins, which are particularly enumerated, Eze 33:21-29, and the chapter is closed with a discovery of the hypocrisy of those that attended the prophet's ministry, Eze 33:30-33.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Isaiah 62:6; Ezekiel 3:17-21
  • 2. Jeremiah 1:17; Jeremiah 26:2; Ezekiel 2:7, 8; Acts 5:20
  • 3. Isaiah 3:11; Ezek 18:4, 13, 18, 20; Ezekiel 33:14
  • 4. Acts 13:40, 41, 46
  • 5. Ezekiel 3:19, 21; Acts 20:26

Footnotes 2

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