The Meaning of Ezekiel 33:16 Explained

Ezekiel 33:16

KJV: None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

YLT: None of his sin that he hath sinned is remembered to him, Judgment and righteousness he hath done, He doth surely live.

Darby: None of his sins which he hath committed shall be remembered against him: he hath done judgment and justice; he shall certainly live.

ASV: None of his sins that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

None of his sins  that he hath committed  shall be mentioned  unto him: he hath done  that which is lawful  and right;  he shall surely  live. 

What does Ezekiel 33:16 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 33:16 mean?

All - of his sins which he has committed none shall be remembered against him what is lawful and right he has done surely he shall live
כָּל־ [חטאתו] (חַטֹּאתָיו֙) אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֔א לֹ֥א תִזָּכַ֖רְנָה ל֑וֹ מִשְׁפָּ֧ט וּצְדָקָ֛ה עָשָׂ֖ה חָי֥וֹ יִֽחְיֶֽה

[חטאתו]  - 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
(חַטֹּאתָיו֙)  of  his  sins 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: חַטָּאָה 
Sense: sin, sinful.
חָטָ֔א  he  has  committed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָטָא 
Sense: to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness.
לֹ֥א  none 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
תִזָּכַ֖רְנָה  shall  be  remembered 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person feminine plural
Root: זָכַר 
Sense: to remember, recall, call to mind.
ל֑וֹ  against  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
מִשְׁפָּ֧ט  what  is  lawful 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁפָּט  
Sense: judgment, justice, ordinance.
וּצְדָקָ֛ה  and  right 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.
עָשָׂ֖ה  he  has  done 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
חָי֥וֹ  surely 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: חָיָה  
Sense: to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health.
יִֽחְיֶֽה  he  shall  live 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָיָה  
Sense: to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health.