King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 18:27 Mean?

Ezekiel 18:27 in the King James Version says “Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and r...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.”

Ezekiel 18:27 · KJV

Salvation

Context

25

Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

26

When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

27

Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

28

Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

29

Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

Read Ezekiel 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.' The flip side: a wicked person can repent and find life. 'Turneth away' (Hebrew shuv) is the word for repentance—changing direction. Doing 'that which is lawful and right' demonstrates genuine repentance. 'He shall save his soul alive'—repentance brings salvation. This offers hope to the worst sinners.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Examples include Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), Nineveh (Jonah 3), and the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43). No one is beyond God's reach. The gospel offers salvation to anyone who repents and believes, regardless of past wickedness. This prepares for the New Covenant promise of heart transformation (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the possibility of late-in-life repentance encourage evangelism to hardened sinners?
  2. What does 'saving his soul alive' involve both now and eternally?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וּבְשׁ֣וּב1 of 12

“man turneth away”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

רָשָׁ֗ע2 of 12

“Again when the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

מֵֽרִשְׁעָתוֹ֙3 of 12

“from his wickedness”

H7564

wrong (especially moral)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ5 of 12

“and doeth”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ6 of 12

“and doeth”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מִשְׁפָּ֖ט7 of 12

“that which is lawful”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וּצְדָקָ֑ה8 of 12

“and right”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

ה֖וּא9 of 12
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אֶת10 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשׁ֥וֹ11 of 12

“his soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

יְחַיֶּֽה׃12 of 12

“alive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 18:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 18:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 18:21Isaiah 1:18Isaiah 55:7Acts 3:19Acts 26:201 Timothy 4:16

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