King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 18:31 Mean?

Ezekiel 18:31 in the King James Version says “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Ezekiel 18:31 · KJV


Context

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?

30

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. yourselves: or, others

31

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

32

For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. yourselves: or, others


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" God commands what He also promises (11:19, 36:26)—a new heart. This paradox reflects both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. We cannot make ourselves new hearts, yet we must repent and believe. God commands the impossible to demonstrate need for grace, then provides what He demands. The question "why will ye die?" places responsibility on those who refuse despite clear warning and gracious offer.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The command (591 BC) to make new hearts seems contradictory since only God can regenerate. However, it emphasizes human responsibility to repent and believe. The imperative drives awareness of inability, creating dependence on grace. This shaped Reformed soteriology: commands reveal inability, demonstrating need for sovereign grace. God commands repentance, convicts of sin, and grants repentance—accomplishing through grace what law demands but cannot produce.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do commands to do what only God can do drive dependence on sovereign grace?
  2. What is the relationship between divine initiative in regeneration and human responsibility to repent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
הַשְׁלִ֣יכוּ1 of 18

Cast away

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֗ם2 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶת3 of 18
H853

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

כָּל4 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פִּשְׁעֵיכֶם֙5 of 18

from you all your transgressions

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 18
H834

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

פְּשַׁעְתֶּ֣ם7 of 18

whereby ye have transgressed

H6586

to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel

בָּ֔ם8 of 18
H0
וַעֲשׂ֥וּ9 of 18

and make

H6213

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

לָכֶ֛ם10 of 18
H0
לֵ֥ב11 of 18

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

חֲדָשָׁ֑ה12 of 18

and a new

H2319

new

וְר֣וּחַ13 of 18

spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

חֲדָשָׁ֑ה14 of 18

and a new

H2319

new

וְלָ֥מָּה15 of 18
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תָמֻ֖תוּ16 of 18

for why will ye die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בֵּ֥ית17 of 18

O house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃18 of 18

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


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 18:31 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 18:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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