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Ezekiel 33:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 33:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning, if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning, if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
Ezekiel 33:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman;
3if, when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning, if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him; whereas if he had taken warning, he would have delivered his soul.
6But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned, and 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.
7So thou, son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
← Ezekiel 33:3Ezekiel 33:5 →
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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
“Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh no warning, &c.] Does not mind the notice given him; is incredulous of the danger he is in, or negligent of providing for his safety; fancies it is an alarm, and nothing else; and imagines there is no real danger, or what is a mere trifle; or, that the enemy is at a great distance, and it is time enough to provide for his defence: if the sword come and take him away; those that kill with the sword, as the Targum, come suddenly on him, and take away his life, or carry him captive: his blood shall be upon his own head; the guilt of his slaughter, as the Targum; the sin will be his own; it must be brought in wilful murder; no blame can…”
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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
“blood . . . upon his own head--metaphor from sacrificial victims, on the heads of which they used to lay their hands, praying that their guilt should be upon the victims.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“whosoever heareth: Heb. he that hearing heareth, Ch2 25:16; Pro 29:1; Jer 6:17, Jer 42:20-22; Zac 1:2-4; Jam 1:22 his blood: Eze 33:5, Eze 33:9, Eze 18:13; Lev 20:9, 11-27; Sa2 1:16; Kg1 2:37; Act 18:6, Act 20:26 Ezekiel 33:5”
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Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 33 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification