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 33:17 Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/33-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/26_Ezk_33_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 33:17 - The Message of the Watchman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just." /><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/33-17.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/33-17.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/33.htm">Chapter 33</a> > Verse 17</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="/ad17.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/33-16.htm" title="Ezekiel 33:16">◄</a> Ezekiel 33:17 <a href="/ezekiel/33-18.htm" title="Ezekiel 33:18">►</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/33.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/33.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Yet your people say, &#8216The way of the Lord is not just.&#8217 But it is their way that is not just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/33.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Your people are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right,’ but it is they who are not doing what’s right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/33.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just,’ when it is their own way that is not just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/33.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/33.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/33.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Yet the children of your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ But it is their way which is not fair!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/33.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Yet your fellow citizens say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right,’ when it is their own way that is not right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/33.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Yet your fellow citizens say, &#8216The way of the Lord is not right,&#8217 when it is their own way that is not right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/33.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Yet your fellow citizens say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right,’ when it is their own way that is not right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/33.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Yet the sons of your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right,’ when it is their own way that is not right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/33.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Yet your people [who are in exile in Babylon] say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right;’ but as for them, it is their own way that is not right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/33.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“ ‘But your people say, “The Lord’s way isn’t fair,” even though it is their own way that isn’t fair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/33.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But your people say, &#8216The Lord&#8217s way isn&#8217t fair,&#8217 even though it is their own way that isn&#8217t fair. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/33.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/33.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Ezekiel, your people accuse me of being unfair. But they are the ones who are unfair. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/33.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/33.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"But your people say, 'The Lord's way is unfair.' Yet, their ways are unfair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/33.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"And your people say that what I do isn't right! No, it's their way that isn't right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/33.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Nevertheless, your people's children keep saying, 'Living life the Lord's way isn't right,' when all the while it is their way of living that isn't right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/33.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet your people say, ?The way of the Lord is not just.? But it is their way that is not just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/33.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Yet your people say, 'The behavior of the Lord is not right,' when it is their behavior that is not right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/33.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Yet the children of your people say, 'The way of the LORD is not just': but as for them, their way is not just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/33.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/33.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘Yet the children of your people say, “The way of the Lord is not fair;” but as for them, their way is not fair. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/33.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the sons of your people have said: The way of the Lord is not pondered, "" As for them—their way is not pondered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/33.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the sons of thy people have said: The way of the Lord is not pondered, As to them -- their way is not pondered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/33.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of my people said, The way of Jehovah will not make even: and they their way shall not make even.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/33.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the children of thy people have said: The way of the Lord is not equitable: whereas their own way is unjust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/33.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the sons of your people have said, ‘The way of the Lord is not a fair balance,’ even while their own way is unjust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/33.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Your people say, “The way of the LORD is not fair!” But it is their way that is not fair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/33.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet your people say, “The way of the Lord is not just,” when it is their own way that is not just.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/33.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Yet your people say, The way of the LORD is not fair; but it is their own ways that are not fair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/33.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the children of your people were saying: ‘The way of LORD JEHOVAH is not right!’ It is their ways that are not right<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/33.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Yet the children of thy people say: The way of the Lord is not equal; but as for them, their way is not equal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/33.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Yet the children of thy people will say, The way of the Lord is not straight: whereas this their way is not straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/33-17.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=9737" 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/33.htm">The Message of the Watchman</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>None of the sins he has committed will be held against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">Yet your people</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">‘The way</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">of the Lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8505.htm" title="8505: yit·tā·ḵên (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to balance, i.e. Measure out; figuratively, arrange, equalize, through the idea of levelling.">just.’</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm·māh (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">But it is</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: dar·kām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">their way</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">that is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8505.htm" title="8505: yit·tā·ḵên (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to balance, i.e. Measure out; figuratively, arrange, equalize, through the idea of levelling.">just.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he will die for it.…<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="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14-15</a></span><br />What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! / For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/50-21.htm">Psalm 50:21</a></span><br />You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Malachi 2:17</a></span><br />You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5-6</a></span><br />But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. / Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-10.htm">Job 34:10-12</a></span><br />Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. / For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. / Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Romans 2:5-6</a></span><br />But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. / God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Matthew 20:15</a></span><br />Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a></span><br />He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-36</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” / “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-15.htm">Psalm 92:15</a></span><br />to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31-35</a></span><br />“To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like? / They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ / For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a></span><br />Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Yet the children of your people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/33-20.htm">Ezekiel 33:20</a></b></br> Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/18-25.htm">Ezekiel 18:25,29</a></b></br> Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-2.htm">Job 35:2</a></b></br> Thinkest thou this to be right, <i>that</i> thou saidst, My righteousness <i>is</i> more than God's?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/33-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-12.htm">Citizens</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-2.htm">Countrymen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/31-8.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-12.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-29.htm">Pondered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-16.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-11.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/33-20.htm">Children</a> <a href="/luke/15-15.htm">Citizens</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-18.htm">Countrymen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-20.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/jonah/1-7.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-20.htm">Pondered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-19.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-20.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 33</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/33-1.htm">According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/33-7.htm">Ezekiel is admonished of his duty</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/33-10.htm">God shows the justice of his ways toward the penitent and toward revolters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/33-17.htm">He maintains his justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/33-21.htm">Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem </a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/33-25.htm">he prophecies the desolation of the land</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/33-30.htm">God's judgment upon the mockers of the prophets</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/33.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/33.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Yet your people say,</b><br>This phrase indicates a direct address to the Israelites, highlighting their collective voice and opinion. The context is the period of the Babylonian exile, where the Israelites are questioning God's justice due to their suffering and displacement. Historically, this reflects a time of crisis and doubt among the people, who are struggling to understand their circumstances in light of their covenant with God.<p><b>‘The way of the Lord is not just.’</b><br>Here, the Israelites are accusing God of injustice. This reflects a common theme in the prophetic books where people question God's fairness, especially when facing punishment or hardship. Theologically, this accusation challenges the character of God as depicted throughout the Bible, where His ways are described as righteous and just (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a>, <a href="/psalms/145-17.htm">Psalm 145:17</a>). This complaint is similar to the sentiments expressed in other parts of Ezekiel (<a href="/ezekiel/18-25.htm">Ezekiel 18:25</a>) and reflects a misunderstanding of divine justice, which often transcends human comprehension.<p><b>But it is their way that is not just.</b><br>This response from God through the prophet Ezekiel turns the accusation back on the Israelites, highlighting their own moral failings. The phrase underscores the biblical principle that human ways are often flawed and unjust (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). It serves as a call to self-examination and repentance, urging the people to recognize their own sins and the consequences thereof. This theme is consistent with the prophetic message throughout the Old Testament, where the call to return to God's ways is central (<a href="/jeremiah/7-3.htm">Jeremiah 7:3-7</a>). Theologically, it points to the need for a savior, fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect justice and righteousness (<a href="/romans/3-21.htm">Romans 3:21-26</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic acts.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who are in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry. They are questioning God's justice in this passage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The place of exile for the Israelites, representing a period of judgment and reflection for the nation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The Lord</a></b><br>The sovereign God of Israel, whose ways and judgments are being questioned by His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exile.htm">The Exile</a></b><br>A significant event in Israel's history where they were taken captive by Babylon as a consequence of their sins.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_justice.htm">Understanding God's Justice</a></b><br>God's justice is perfect and beyond human understanding. We must trust in His righteous character even when circumstances seem unfair.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-reflection_on_our_ways.htm">Self-Reflection on Our Ways</a></b><br>Like the Israelites, we must examine our own ways and recognize where we fall short of God's standards rather than questioning His justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>In times of doubt, we should lean on the truth of God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for good, even when it is not immediately apparent.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_alignment_with_god.htm">Repentance and Alignment with God</a></b><br>The call to repentance is implicit; aligning our ways with God's ways is crucial for a right relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_plan.htm">Faith in God's Plan</a></b><br>Faith involves trusting God's plan and timing, knowing that His ways are just and will ultimately lead to His glory and our good.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_33.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 33</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_scripture_show_collective_punishment.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 – If God’s ways are truly just, why do we see instances of collective punishment and suffering elsewhere in Scripture? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_the_discrepancy_on_jehoshaphat's_actions.htm">In 1 Kings 22:43, why does the text imply Jehoshaphat removed high places when 2 Chronicles 20:33 suggests otherwise?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_19_10-14_align_with_judah's_promises.htm">How do we reconcile Ezekiel 19:10-14's portrayal of the vine's destruction with other biblical promises of Judah's enduring lineage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ezekiel_18_25__are_god's_ways_truly_fair.htm">Ezekiel 18:25 - How can God declare His ways fair when the reality of suffering and injustice seems to contradict this claim?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/33.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The way of the Lord is not equal</span>. The prophet now proclaims what he had been taught, perhaps then, without proclaiming it, in <a href="/ezekiel/18-25.htm">Ezekiel 18:25-30</a>. Men are dealt with by the Divine Judge, not as their fathers have Been before them, not even as they themselves have been in times past, but exactly as they are. Where could there be a more perfect rule of equity? The question how far Ezekiel thinks of the judgment itself as final, whether there is the possibility of repentance and pardon after it has fallen, and during its continuance, is not directly answered. He is speaking, we must remember, of a judgment on this side the grave, and therefore what we call the problems of eschatology were not before him. But the language of the document which lies at the basis of his theology (<a href="/leviticus/26-41.htm">Leviticus 26:41</a>) asserts that if men repented and, "accepted" their earthly punishment, then Jehovah would remember his covenant, and would not destroy them utterly. And his own language as to Sodom and Samaria (<a href="/ezekiel/16-53.htm">Ezekiel 16:53</a>) indicates a leaning to the wider hope. If the problems of the unseen world had been brought before him, we may believe that he would have dealt with them as with those with which he actually came in contact, and that there also his words would have been, "O house of Israel, O sons of men, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/33-17.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">Yet your people</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">say,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָמְרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘The way</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֣רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<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">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָ֑י</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">is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</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">just.’</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתָּכֵ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(yit·tā·ḵên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8505.htm">Strong's 8505: </a> </span><span class="str2">To balance, measure out, arrange, equalize, levelling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But it is</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֵ֖מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their way</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּרְכָּ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(dar·kām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<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">that is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</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">just.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתָּכֵֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(yit·tā·ḵên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8505.htm">Strong's 8505: </a> </span><span class="str2">To balance, measure out, arrange, equalize, levelling</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/33-17.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/33-17.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:17 Yet the children of your people say (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/33-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 33:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 33:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/33-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 33:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 33:18" /></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>