Keraia
Ezekiel 3

Ezekiel 3:18

A Watchman for Israel · Ezekiel 3:16–27
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Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
In My saying to the wicked, ‘You will surely die!’ And you do not warn him, and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked one will die in his iniquity, and his blood I will require from your hand.
Latin
Si, dicente me ad impium: Morte morieris, non annuntiaveris ei, neque locutus fueris ut avertatur a via sua impia et vivat, ipse impius in iniquitate sua morietur, sanguinem autem ejus de manu tua requiram.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Ezekiel 3:16–19

Ezekiel was called to be a watchman, a common role for Old Testament prophets (see Isaiah 56:10; Jeremiah 6:17; Hosea 9:8). The watchman looked out for the community. He had to warn people about approaching enemies so they could find safety in time. In this case, the enemy was not a human invader but God. If Ezekiel stayed silent, he would be responsible for the blood of those he failed to warn.

Ezekiel 1:1–3:27

Old Testament prophetic books often begin with a “call narrative.” A call narrative describes how God chose and sent a prophet to serve in this role (for example, Jeremiah 1:4–19).

This account showed that the prophet’s message was legitimate. It made clear that the prophet spoke as the Lord’s ambassador (a representative sent with authority). The call narrative also introduced important themes that the book would explain more fully later.

In Ezekiel, the call narrative focuses on the Lord’s coming judgment on his people.

Events

Glossary

Ezekiel, Book of Kebar Prophet, Prophetess Spirit of God

Topics

Christian Minister: Duties of Christian Minister: Responsibility of Ignorance: Sins of Ministers: should Preach with Faithfulness Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Salvation: Ministers: should Exhort To The Punishment of the Wicked: On Account of Their: Iniquity Warning before Destruction Watchmen on the Wall