The Meaning of Ezekiel 33:14 Explained

Ezekiel 33:14

KJV: Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

YLT: And in My saying to the wicked: Thou surely diest, And -- he hath turned back from his sin, And hath done judgment and righteousness,

Darby: And when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt certainly die, and he turneth from his sin, and doeth judgment and justice;

ASV: Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Again, when I say  unto the wicked,  Thou shalt surely  die;  if he turn  from his sin,  and do  that which is lawful  and right; 

What does Ezekiel 33:14 Mean?

Context Summary

Ezekiel 33:1-16 - "why Will Ye Die?"
The prophet depicts the peasantry of a fertile valley as engaged in pastoral pursuits. It is a peaceful, happy scene; but, creeping through the mountain passes, are their deadliest foes. How necessary that there should be a watchman, trumpet in hand, to give notice; and how unspeakable his guilt if he forbear to sound a warning! We are not responsible for those who refuse to take warning from our announcements, faithfully given; but if we perceive a soul in mortal danger and forbear to warn it, we are not only responsible for its ruin, but we bring awful retribution upon ourselves. Well might Richard Baxter lie awake at night beneath his awful sense of responsibility for the souls of men. God desires our salvation. If only the sinner will confess his sins to the faithful and merciful High Priest, and make such restitution as he can, not one of his sins shall be remembered against him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ezekiel 33

1  According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people
7  Ezekiel is admonished of his duty
10  God shows the justice of his ways toward the penitent and toward revolters
17  He maintains his justice
21  Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem
25  he prophecies the desolation of the land
30  God's judgment upon the mockers of the prophets

What do the individual words in Ezekiel 33:14 mean?

And Again when I say to the wicked surely You shall die and if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right
וּבְאָמְרִ֥י לָֽרָשָׁ֖ע מ֣וֹת תָּמ֑וּת וְשָׁב֙ מֵֽחַטָּאת֔וֹ וְעָשָׂ֥ה מִשְׁפָּ֖ט וּצְדָקָֽה

וּבְאָמְרִ֥י  And  Again  when  I  say 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, first person common singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
לָֽרָשָׁ֖ע  to  the  wicked 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
מ֣וֹת  surely 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.
תָּמ֑וּת  You  shall  die 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.
וְשָׁב֙  and  if  he  turns 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
מֵֽחַטָּאת֔וֹ  from  his  sin 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: חַטָּאָה 
Sense: sin, sinful.
וְעָשָׂ֥ה  and  does 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט  what  is  lawful 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁפָּט  
Sense: judgment, justice, ordinance.
וּצְדָקָֽה  and  right 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.