Ezekiel 33:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God declares he does not want the wicked to die, but desires they turn and live; he urges the people to repent and live.
The Context of Ezekiel 33:11
God responds to the exiles' despair by revealing his desire for them to turn and live.
What Does Ezekiel 33:11 Mean?
God's answer is clear: he does not delight in death. His desire is the opposite—that the wicked turn from their way and live. This is God's stated preference and character. The urgency of the repeated command—'turn ye, turn ye'—shows the intensity of this call.
The rhetorical question 'why will ye die?' frames the choice as the people's own. God is not forcing death upon them. He offers life through turning. The barrier to life is choosing to remain in evil ways.
Ezekiel 33:11 in the Original Language
חַיִּים (chayyim), 'live' — life in the fullest sense, not mere survival but flourishing and blessing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 33:11
What does Ezekiel 33:11 mean?
God declares he does not want the wicked to die, but desires they turn and live; he urges the people to repent and live.
What is the context of Ezekiel 33:11?
God responds to the exiles' despair by revealing his desire for them to turn and live.