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<!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 3:18 If I say to the wicked man, 'You will surely die,' but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/3-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/26_Ezk_03_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 3:18 - A Watchman for Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I say to the wicked man, 'You will surely die,' but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood." /><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/3-18.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/3-18.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/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 18</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="/ad18.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/3-17.htm" title="Ezekiel 3:17">◄</a> Ezekiel 3:18 <a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm" title="Ezekiel 3:19">►</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">Verse<a href="/bsb/ezekiel/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/3.htm">New International Version</a> When I say to a wicked person, &#8216You will surely die,&#8217 and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. <a href="/esv/ezekiel/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. <a href="/bsb/ezekiel/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/3.htm">King James Bible</a> When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. <a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/3.htm">New King James Version</a> When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. <a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When I say to the wicked, ‘You will certainly die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way so that he may live, that wicked person shall die for wrongdoing, but his blood I will require from your hand. <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220When I say to the wicked, &#8216You will surely die,&#8217 and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. <a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die’; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. <a href="/lsb/ezekiel/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. <a href="/amp/ezekiel/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When I say to the wicked, ‘You will certainly die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to tell him to turn from his wicked way to save his life, that same evil man will die in his sin, but you will be responsible for his blood. <a href="/csb/ezekiel/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If I say to the wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him—you don’t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life—that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. <a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If I say to the wicked person, &#8216You will surely die,&#8217 but you do not warn him—you don&#8217t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life—that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. <a href="/asv/ezekiel/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand. <a href="/cev/ezekiel/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When I tell wicked people they will die because of their sins, you must warn them to turn from their sinful ways so they won't be punished. If you refuse, you are responsible for their death. <a href="/erv/ezekiel/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood wilt I require at thine hand. <a href="/gwt/ezekiel/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Suppose I tell you that wicked people will surely die, but you don't warn them or speak out so that they can change their wicked ways in order to save their lives. Then these wicked people will die because of their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths. <a href="/gnt/ezekiel/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> If I announce that someone evil is going to die but you do not warn him to change his ways so that he can save his life, he will die, still a sinner, but I will hold you responsible for his death. <a href="/isv/ezekiel/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> "So when I say to a wicked person, 'You're about to die,' if you don't warn or instruct that wicked person that his behavior is wicked so he can live, that wicked person will die in his sin, but I'll hold you responsible for his death. <a href="/msb/ezekiel/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If I say to the wicked man, ?You will surely die,? but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. <a href="/net/ezekiel/3.htm">NET Bible</a> When I say to the wicked, "You will certainly die," and you do not warn him--you do not speak out to warn the wicked to turn from his wicked deed and wicked lifestyle so that he may live--that wicked person will die for his iniquity, but I will hold you accountable for his death. <a href="/nheb/ezekiel/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When I tell the wicked, 'You shall surely die'; and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand. <a href="/wbt/ezekiel/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> When I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand. <a href="/web/ezekiel/3.htm">World English Bible</a> When I tell the wicked, ‘You will surely die;’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at your hand. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> In My saying to the wicked: You surely die; and you have not warned him, nor have spoken to warn the wicked from his wicked way, so that he lives; he—the wicked—dies in his iniquity, and I require his blood from your hand. <a href="/ylt/ezekiel/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> In My saying to the wicked: Thou dost surely die; and thou hast not warned him, nor hast spoken to warn the wicked from his wicked way, so that he doth live; he -- the wicked -- in his iniquity dieth, and his blood from thy hand I require. <a href="/slt/ezekiel/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In my saying to the unjust, Dying, thou shalt die; and thou admonished him not, and thou spakest not to admonish the unjust from his way of injustice to preserve him alive; this unjust one shall die in his iniquity, and his blood I will seek from thy hand.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezekiel/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> If, when I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die: thou declare it not to him, nor speak to him, that he may be converted from his wicked way, and live: the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at thy hand. <a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> If, when I say to the impious man, ‘You shall certainly die,’ you do not announce it to him, and you do not speak so that he may turn aside from his impious way and live, then the same impious man will die in his iniquity. But I will attribute his blood to your hand. <a href="/nabre/ezekiel/3.htm">New American Bible</a> If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die—and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade the wicked from their evil conduct in order to save their lives—then they shall die for their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their blood. <a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die,” and you give them no warning, or speak to warn the wicked from their wicked way, in order to save their life, those wicked persons shall die for their iniquity; but their blood I will require at your hand.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When I say to the sinner, You shall surely die; but you have not warned him, nor have you spoken to warn the sinner from his wicked way, to save his life; the same sinner shall die in his iniquity; and his blood will I require at your hand. <a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> When I say to the sinner: "You shall surely die”, and you have not warned him and you have not spoken to the sinner that he would be warned of his way, and that sinner would live in his evil, he shall die, and his blood I shall require of your hand!<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezekiel/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> When I say unto the wicked: Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hand. <a href="/sep/ezekiel/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> When I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou hast not warned him, to give warning to the wicked, to turn from his ways, that he should live; that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand. <a href="/parallel/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=561" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/3.htm">A Watchman for Israel</a> …17“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. 18<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: bə·’ā·mə·rî (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">If I say</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: lā·rā·šā‘ (Prep-l, Art:: Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">to the wicked man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mō·wṯ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">‘You will surely die,’</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: tā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but you do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2094.htm" title="2094: hiz·har·tōw (V-Hifil-Perf-2ms:: 3ms) -- To gleam, to enlighten. A primitive root; to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten.">warn him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: ḏib·bar·tā (V-Piel-Perf-2ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">speak out</a> <a href="/hebrew/2094.htm" title="2094: lə·haz·hîr (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To gleam, to enlighten. A primitive root; to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten.">to warn</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: hā·rə·šā·‘āh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">from his wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: mid·dar·kōw (Prep-m:: N-csc:: 3ms) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">way</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: lə·ḥay·yō·ṯōw (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf:: 3ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">to save his life,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">wicked man</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">will die</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ba·‘ă·wō·nōw (Prep-b:: N-csc:: 3ms) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">in his iniquity,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: mî·yā·ḏə·ḵā (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">and I will hold you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: ’ă·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">responsible for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: wə·ḏā·mōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">his blood.</a> 19But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/ezekiel/33-8.htm">Ezekiel 33:8-9</a> If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. / But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life. <a href="/acts/20-26.htm">Acts 20:26-27</a> Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. / For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God. <a href="/jeremiah/6-17.htm">Jeremiah 6:17</a> I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’ <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Acts 18:6</a> But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” <a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10</a> Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-16.htm">1 Corinthians 9:16</a> Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! <a href="/jeremiah/1-17.htm">Jeremiah 1:17-19</a> Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them. / Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. / They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. <a href="/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17</a> Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin. <a href="/2_timothy/4-1.htm">2 Timothy 4:1-2</a> I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: / Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. <a href="/isaiah/58-1.htm">Isaiah 58:1</a> “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. <a href="/matthew/10-14.htm">Matthew 10:14-15</a> And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. <a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17</a> Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you. <a href="/jeremiah/26-2.htm">Jeremiah 26:2-3</a> “This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word. / Perhaps they will listen and turn—each from his evil way of life—so that I may relent of the disaster I am planning to bring upon them because of the evil of their deeds. <a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a> That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded. <a href="/1_timothy/4-16.htm">1 Timothy 4:16</a> Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>When I say to the wicked, You shall surely die; and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand.I say<a href="/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4,13,20</a> Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die… <a href="/ezekiel/33-6.htm">Ezekiel 33:6,8</a> But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand… <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a> But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.to save<a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a> Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin… <a href="/acts/2-40.htm">Acts 2:40</a> And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.<a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a> Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;the same<a href="/ezekiel/33-6.htm">Ezekiel 33:6,9,10</a> But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand… <a href="/proverbs/14-32.htm">Proverbs 14:32</a> The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.<a href="/john/8-21.htm">John 8:21,24</a> Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come… but<a href="/ezekiel/34-10.htm">Ezekiel 34:10</a> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.<a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5,6</a> And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man… <a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22</a> And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/4-14.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Die</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-65.htm">Givest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-14.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-22.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-58.htm">Life</a> <a href="/jeremiah/47-7.htm">Order</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Require</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-17.htm">Save</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-27.htm">Speakest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-7.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Warn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Warning</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-11.htm">Way</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-22.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/3-20.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-33.htm">Givest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm">Life</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-22.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-20.htm">Require</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-18.htm">Save</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-22.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-27.htm">Speakest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-21.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm">Warn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-20.htm">Warning</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm">Way</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 3</div>1. <a href="/ezekiel/3-1.htm">Ezekiel eats the scroll</a> 4. <a href="/ezekiel/3-4.htm">God encourages him</a> 15. <a href="/ezekiel/3-15.htm">God shows him the rule of prophecy</a> 22. <a href="/ezekiel/3-22.htm">God shuts and opens the prophet's mouth</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/3.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/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ This phrase highlights God's direct communication and judgment. The certainty of death for the wicked is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, reflecting the consequences of sin (<a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>). The prophetic role involves conveying God's messages, often including warnings of judgment. This echoes the warnings given to Nineveh through Jonah, where the message of impending doom was meant to lead to repentance (<a href="/jonah/3-4.htm">Jonah 3:4</a>).but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, The responsibility of the prophet or believer is emphasized here. Ezekiel, as a watchman, is tasked with warning the wicked, reflecting the broader biblical principle of accountability (<a href="/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17</a>). The cultural context of ancient Israel placed significant importance on communal responsibility, where failing to warn someone of danger was seen as neglectful. This also parallels the New Testament call for believers to be ambassadors for Christ, urging others to be reconciled to God (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-20.htm">2 Corinthians 5:20</a>).that wicked man will die in his iniquity, The inevitability of judgment for unrepentant sin is underscored. The phrase "die in his iniquity" suggests not just physical death but spiritual separation from God, a theme prevalent in both Old and New Testaments (<a href="/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4</a>, <a href="/john/8-24.htm">John 8:24</a>). The concept of dying in one's sins is a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of rejecting God's ways.and I will hold you responsible for his blood. This phrase indicates the serious responsibility placed on those who are called to warn others. The imagery of blood guilt is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of justice and responsibility (<a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a>). In the New Testament, Paul reflects this principle when he declares himself innocent of the blood of all men because he did not hesitate to proclaim the whole will of God (<a href="/acts/20-26.htm">Acts 20:26-27</a>). This underscores the importance of faithfully delivering God's message to others.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a> A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic acts. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_wicked_man.htm">The Wicked Man</a> Represents individuals living in sin, who are warned by God through His prophets or messengers. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The sovereign Lord who communicates His will and warnings through His prophets, holding them accountable for delivering His messages. 4. <a href="/topical/i/israelites_in_exile.htm">Israelites in Exile</a> The primary audience of Ezekiel's prophecies, living in Babylon due to their disobedience to God. 5. <a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a> The place of exile for the Israelites, where Ezekiel delivered his prophecies.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/responsibility_of_the_messenger.htm">Responsibility of the Messenger</a> As believers, we are called to share God's truth and warnings with others. Failing to do so makes us accountable for their spiritual state. <a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_warning.htm">The Urgency of Warning</a> The message to the wicked is urgent. We must not delay in sharing God's warnings, as lives are at stake. <a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a> God is just in holding the wicked accountable for their sins, but He is also merciful in providing warnings through His messengers. <a href="/topical/p/personal_accountability.htm">Personal Accountability</a> Each person is responsible for their response to God's warnings, but messengers are accountable for delivering the message. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets_and_believers.htm">The Role of Prophets and Believers</a> Like Ezekiel, believers today are called to be watchmen, sharing God's truth with a world in need.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 3</a> <a href="/q/key_themes_in_ezekiel's_life.htm">What are the key themes in Ezekiel's life story?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'house_of_jacob'_mean.htm">Does God love those in hell?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_3_17-18_address_free_will.htm">In Ezekiel 3:17–18, how is the idea of divine responsibility for warning others reconciled with free will and personal accountability? </a> <a href="/q/is_god_capable_of_hatred.htm">Is God capable of hatred?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - Thou givest him not warning, etc. The word, as in the parallels already referral to, is characteristic of Ezekiel, almost indeed, peculiar to him. <a href="/psalms/19-11.htm">Psalm 19:11</a> may be noted as another instance of its use. When the watchman saw danger coming, he was to blow the trumpet (<a href="/ezekiel/33-3.htm">Ezekiel 33:3-6</a>). The prophet was to speak his warnings. Thou shalt surely die; literally, dying thou shalt die. Were the words of <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a> in the prophet's mind? To save his life; literally, for his life, or that he may live. Shall die in his iniquity. Do the words refer only to physical death coming as the punishment of iniquity? or do they point onward further to the judgment that follows death, the loss of the inheritance of eternal life which belongs to those whose names are written in the book of life? Looking to the tremendous responsibility implied in the words, we can hardly, I think, in spite of the questions which have been raised as to the belief of the Hebrews in the immortality of the soul, hesitate to accept the latter meaning. Ezekiel anticipates the teaching of <a href="/philippians/4-3.htm">Philippians 4:3</a>; <a href="/revelation/3-5.htm">Revelation 3:5</a>; <a href="/revelation/13-8.htm">Revelation 13:8</a>, if, indeed, that meaning was not already familiar to him in <a href="/exodus/32-32.htm">Exodus 32:32, 33</a>. For "in" his iniquity we may, perhaps, read "because of." The negligence of the watchman does not avail to procure a full pardon for the evil doer. The degree in which it may extenuate his guilt depends on conditions known to God, but not to us. In any case, as in our Lord's words (<a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47, 48</a>), a man's knowledge and opportunities are the measure of his responsibility. But the unfaithful watchman has his responsibility. It is as though the blood of the sinner had been shed. His guilt may be described in the same words as that of Cain (<a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5</a>). Compare St. Paul's words in <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Acts 18:6</a> and Acts 20:26 as echoes of Ezekiel's thought. <a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>If I say בְּאָמְרִ֤י (bə·’ā·mə·rî) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to the wicked man, לָֽרָשָׁע֙ (lā·rā·šā‘) Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> Wrong, an, bad person ‘You will surely die,’ מ֣וֹת (mō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill but you do not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no warn him הִזְהַרְתּ֗וֹ (hiz·har·tōw) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2094.htm">Strong's 2094: </a> To gleam, to enlighten [or] וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no speak out דִבַּ֛רְתָּ (ḏib·bar·tā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue to warn לְהַזְהִ֥יר (lə·haz·hîr) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2094.htm">Strong's 2094: </a> To gleam, to enlighten him רָשָׁ֛ע (rā·šā‘) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> Wrong, an, bad person from his wicked הָרְשָׁעָ֖ה (hā·rə·šā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> Wrong, an, bad person way מִדַּרְכּ֥וֹ (mid·dar·kōw) Preposition-m | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action to save his life, לְחַיֹּת֑וֹ (lə·ḥay·yō·ṯōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive that ה֤וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are wicked man רָשָׁע֙ (rā·šā‘) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> Wrong, an, bad person will die יָמ֔וּת (yā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill in his iniquity, בַּעֲוֺנ֣וֹ (ba·‘ă·wō·nōw) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity and I will hold you מִיָּדְךָ֥ (mî·yā·ḏə·ḵā) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand responsible for אֲבַקֵּֽשׁ׃ (’ă·ḇaq·qêš) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after his blood. וְדָמ֖וֹ (wə·ḏā·mōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-18.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 3:18 When I tell the wicked You shall (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 3:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 3:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 3:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 3:19" /></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>