CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>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?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/18-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/26_Ezk_18_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 18:23 - The Soul who Sins will Die" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/18-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/18-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/18-22.htm" title="Ezekiel 18:22">◄</a> Ezekiel 18:23 <a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm" title="Ezekiel 18:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: <i>and</i> not that he should return from his ways, and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “<i>and</i> not that he should turn from his ways and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord GOD, “rather than that he would turn from his ways and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,&#8221 declares the Lord GOD, &#8220rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord GOD, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares Lord Yahweh, “is it not that he should turn from his ways and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” says the Lord GOD, “rather than that he should turn [away] from his [malevolent] acts and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. “Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?&#8221 This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. &#8220Instead, don&#8217t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I, the LORD God, don't like to see wicked people die. I had much rather see them turn back from their sins and live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? saith the Lord GOD: and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I don't want wicked people to die." declares the Almighty LORD. "I want them to turn from their evil ways and live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do you think I enjoy seeing evil people die?" asks the Sovereign LORD. "No, I would rather see them repent and live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I don't take delight in the death of the wicked, do I?" asks the Lord GOD. "Shouldn't I rather delight when he turns from his wicked ways and lives? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do I actually delight in the death of the wicked, declares the sovereign LORD? Do I not prefer that he turn from his wicked conduct and live? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord Yahweh, “and not rather that he should return from his way, and live? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do I take pleasure [or] delight in the death of the wicked?” A declaration of Lord YHWH, “Is it not in his turning back from his way—And he has lived?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Delighting, shall I delight in the death of the unjust one? says the Lord Jehovah: not in his turning back from his way and living?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />How could it be my will that an impious man should die, says the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked—oracle of the Lord GOD? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord GOD, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, says the LORD God; but rather that he should return from his evil ways and live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I do not desire the death of a sinner, says THE LORD OF LORDS, but that he would return from his evil way, and he will live<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD; and not rather that he should return from his ways, and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Shall I at all desire death of the sinner, saith the Lord, as I <i>desire</i> that he should turn from <i>his</i> evil way, and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=4722" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/18.htm">The Soul who Sins will Die</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2654.htm" title="2654: he·ḥā·p̄ōṣ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire.">Do I take any pleasure</a> <a href="/hebrew/2654.htm" title="2654: ’eḥ·pōṣ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: mō·wṯ (N-msc) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">in the death</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">of the wicked?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">the Lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/3069.htm" title="3069: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- YHWH. A variation of Yhovah.">GOD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Wouldn’t I prefer</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: bə·šū·ḇōw (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">that he turn</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: mid·də·rā·ḵāw (Prep-m:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">from his ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: wə·ḥā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">and live?</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>But 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-4.htm">1 Timothy 2:4</a></span><br />who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Luke 15:7</a></span><br />I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-10.htm">Luke 15:10</a></span><br />In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-32.htm">Luke 15:32</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-14.htm">Matthew 18:14</a></span><br />In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16-17</a></span><br />For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4</a></span><br />Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30-31</a></span><br />Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. / For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-9.htm">1 John 4:9-10</a></span><br />This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. / And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></span><br />Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm">Jeremiah 18:7-8</a></span><br />At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-10.htm">Jonah 3:10</a></span><br />When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Micah 7:18</a></span><br />Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a></span><br />“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? said the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?</p><p class="hdg">I any</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/18-32.htm">Ezekiel 18:32</a></b></br> For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn <i>yourselves</i>, and live ye.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/33-11.htm">Ezekiel 33:11</a></b></br> Say unto them, <i>As</i> I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/3-33.htm">Lamentations 3:33</a></b></br> For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.</p><p class="hdg">not that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6,7</a></b></br> And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-27.htm">Job 33:27,28</a></b></br> He looketh upon men, and <i>if any</i> say, I have sinned, and perverted <i>that which was</i> right, and it profited me not; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/147-11.htm">Psalm 147:11</a></b></br> The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-9.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-28.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-22.htm">Live</a> <a href="/jeremiah/42-22.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-37.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-5.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-3.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-6.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-43.htm">Way</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-61.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/18-32.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-26.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-5.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Live</a> <a href="/daniel/4-27.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-32.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-32.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-28.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-25.htm">Way</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-25.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/18-1.htm">God defends his justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">and exhorts to repentance</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?</b><br>This rhetorical question emphasizes God's character as just and merciful. In the context of Ezekiel, the Israelites were in exile due to their disobedience, and this verse underscores God's desire for repentance rather than punishment. The question reflects God's consistent nature throughout Scripture, as seen in <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>, where it states that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish. The phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's justice and mercy, as seen in the story of Jonah and Nineveh, where God relents from sending calamity when the people repent.<p><b>declares the Lord GOD.</b><br>This phrase asserts the authority and sovereignty of God. The use of "declares" indicates a definitive statement from God, emphasizing that this is not merely a human opinion but a divine truth. The title "Lord GOD" (YHWH Elohim) combines God's covenant name with His title as Creator and Ruler, reinforcing His ultimate authority over life and death. This declaration is consistent with God's self-revelation throughout the Old Testament, where He often speaks directly to His people through prophets.<p><b>Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?</b><br>This part of the verse highlights God's desire for repentance and life. The concept of "turning" is central to the biblical idea of repentance, which involves a change of direction and heart. The call to "turn from his ways" implies a personal responsibility to abandon sinful behavior and align with God's will. The promise of life for those who repent is a recurring theme in Scripture, seen in passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19</a>, where God sets before the people life and death, urging them to choose life. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament message of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life to those who believe.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord_god.htm">The Lord GOD</a></b><br>The sovereign and just God of Israel, who speaks through Ezekiel, expressing His desire for repentance rather than punishment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>Refers to those who live in sin and rebellion against God's commandments, specifically the Israelites who have turned away from God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/repentance.htm">Repentance</a></b><br>The act of turning away from sin and returning to God, which is central to the message of this verse.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/life.htm">Life</a></b><br>Symbolizes not just physical life but spiritual renewal and restoration in relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_heart_for_repentance.htm">God's Heart for Repentance</a></b><br>God does not delight in punishment but desires that all turn from their sinful ways and live. This reflects His compassionate and merciful nature.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_turn.htm">The Call to Turn</a></b><br>Repentance is a personal decision to turn away from sin and towards God. It is an invitation to experience true life and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_repentance.htm">The Urgency of Repentance</a></b><br>While God is patient, the call to repentance is urgent. We are encouraged to respond to God's invitation without delay.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>God's justice demands accountability for sin, but His mercy offers a path to forgiveness and life through repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_alignment_with_god's_will.htm">Living in Alignment with God's Will</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to align our lives with God's will, seeking His guidance and strength to turn from sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_ezekiel_32's_violence.htm">Ezekiel 32 overall - How do we reconcile the violent imagery of divine judgment here with other biblical passages that emphasize mercy and compassion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'house_of_jacob'_mean.htm">Does God love those in hell?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_lam_3_31-33_with_ot_judgments.htm">How do we reconcile Lamentations 3:31–33, where God claims not to afflict willingly, with the harsh judgments described throughout the Old Testament? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_malachi_4_conflict_with_grace.htm">Why does Malachi 4’s emphasis on judgment seem to conflict with other biblical passages that portray God’s grace and mercy toward evildoers?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Have I any pleasure at all?</span>--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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Have I</span> <span class="cmt_word">any pleasure,</span> etc.? Ezekiel's anticipations of the gospel of Christ take a yet wider range, and we come at last to what had been throughout the suppressed premise of the argument. To him, as afterwards to St. Paul (<a href="/1_timothy/2-4.htm">1 Timothy 2:4</a>) and St. Peter (<a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>), the mind of God was presented as being at once absolutely righteous and absolutely loving. The death of the wicked, the loss, <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, of true life, for a time, or even forever, might be the necessary consequence of laws that were righteous in themselves, and were working out the well being of the universe; but that death was not to be thought of as the result of a Divine decree, or contemplated by the Divine mind with any satisfaction. If it were not given to Ezekiel to see, as clearly as Isaiah seems to have seen it, how the Divine philanthropy was to manifest itself, he at least gauged that philanthropy itself, and found it fathomless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do I take any pleasure</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶחָפֹ֤ץ</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḥā·p̄ōṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2654.htm">Strong's 2654: </a> </span><span class="str2">To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the death</span><br /><span class="heb">מ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the wicked?</span><br /><span class="heb">רָשָׁ֔ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declares</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Lord</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Lord</span><br /><br /><span class="word">GOD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוִ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Would I not prefer</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲל֛וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he turn</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשׁוּב֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·šū·ḇōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from his ways</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדְּרָכָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(mid·də·rā·ḵāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and live?</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחָיָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/18-23.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 18:23 Have I any pleasure in the death (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/18-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 18:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 18:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 18:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 18:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>