Ezekiel 18:23
Ezekiel 18:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked; He wants them to repent and live.
The Context of Ezekiel 18:23
God's desire is repentance and life, not death.
What Does Ezekiel 18:23 Mean?
This rhetorical question reveals God's heart and motivation: He does not rejoice in death or punishment. The desire is for return—for the wicked to turn from their paths and live. God's preference is clearly for life and transformation.
This reshapes the entire dialogue: all the warnings and threats have a redemptive purpose. God speaks judgment not as final condemnation but as an invitation to repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 18:23
What does Ezekiel 18:23 mean?
God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked; He wants them to repent and live.
What is the context of Ezekiel 18:23?
God's desire is repentance and life, not death.