But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

EZEKIEL 18:24KJV
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Ezekiel 18:24 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 18:24 mean?

Ezekiel 18:24 says that if someone who has lived righteously turns away from doing what is right and instead chooses to do wrong and commit the same sins as wicked people, none of their past good deeds will be remembered; they will face the consequences of their wrongdoing. This verse emphasizes personal responsibility and that past righteousness does not excuse present sin.

In this chapter, God is speaking to the people of Israel through the prophet Ezekiel, addressing their complaints about fairness in how God judges people. The verse is part of a larger argument that each person is judged by their own choices, not by the actions of others or by their past. The focus is on the seriousness of turning away from a life of righteousness and the reality that ongoing choices matter.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 18:24

  • "Righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq) refers to someone who lives according to God's standards. The verse shows that being "righteous" is not a permanent status but depends on current actions.
  • "Turneth away" (שׁוּב, shuv) means to turn back or return. Here, it highlights a deliberate change in direction—from doing right to doing wrong.
  • "Iniquity" (עַוְלָה, avlah) points to injustice or moral wrongdoing, not just a minor mistake but a serious departure from what is right.
  • "Abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah) means acts that are detestable or repugnant, especially in a religious or moral sense. This word underlines the gravity of the sins being committed.

Why Ezekiel 18:24 matters

  • Ezekiel 18:24 corrects the idea that a lifetime of good deeds guarantees safety regardless of later choices, making clear that ongoing faithfulness is what matters.
  • The verse is central to the chapter’s message that each person is responsible for their own actions, not for the actions of their ancestors or descendants.
  • This teaching challenges any belief that God’s judgment is unfair, showing that both righteousness and wickedness are measured by present conduct, not just the past.

Where else these words appear

“live” Hebrew H2425 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
  • Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

“trespassed” Hebrew H4604 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • Joshua 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
  • Ezra 9:2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.

“trespass” Hebrew H4603 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • 1 Chronicles 2:7 And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.
  • Ezra 10:2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.

“iniquity” Hebrew H5766 · used in 51 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Job 27:4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
  • Proverbs 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.