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Ezekiel 3:19

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 3:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ezekiel 3:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
18When 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.
19Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
20Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
21Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and thou hast delivered thy soul.
22And the hand of Jehovah was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.
← Ezekiel 3:18Ezekiel 3:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet if thou warn the wicked, &c.] Of his sin and danger; lay before him his evil, and show him the sad consequences of going on in a course of sin, and warn him to flee from wrath to come: and he turn not from his wickedness, and from his wicked way; does not repent of it, nor abstain from it: he shall die in his iniquity; and for it, and that very righteously: but thou hast delivered thy soul; thou hast done the duty of thine office; thou art clear from the charge of negligence and sloth, and from being answerable for the death of the sinner; and shalt save thyself, though not the wicked man; (see <540416>1 Timothy 4:16).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“wickedness . . . wicked way--internal wickedness of heart, and external of the life, respectively. delivered thy soul-- (Isa 49:4-5; Act 20:26).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This passage anticipates the great moral principle of divine government Ezekiel 18:0 that each man is individually responsible for his own actions, and will be judged according to these and these alone. Ezekiel 3:20 I lay a stumblingblock before him - I bring him to trial by placing difficulties and temptations in his way (compare Ezekiel 7:19; Ezekiel 44:12 margin; Ezekiel 14:3-4). It is true that God tempts no man in order to his destruction, but in the course of His Providence He permits men to be tried in order that their faith may be approved, and in this trial some who seem to be righteous fall. Because thou ... his blood ... - So far as the prophet was concerned, the neglect of his…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“if thou: Kg2 17:13-23; Ch2 36:15, Ch2 36:16; Pro 29:1; Jer 42:19-22, Jer 44:4, Jer 44:5; Luk 10:10, Luk 10:11; Act 18:5, Act 18:6; Th1 4:6; Heb 2:1-3, Heb 12:25 he shall: Eze 3:18; Th2 1:8, Th2 1:9; Heb 10:26, Heb 10:27 but thou: Eze 3:21, Eze 14:14, Eze 14:20, Eze 33:5, Eze 33:9; Isa 49:4, Isa 49:5; Act 13:45, Act 13:46, Act 20:26; Co2 2:15-17 Ezekiel 3:20”
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Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification