Ezekiel 33:10
New International Version
“Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?"’

New Living Translation
“Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’

English Standard Version
“And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’

Berean Standard Bible
Now as for you, son of man, tell the house of Israel that this is what they have said: ‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us, and we are wasting away because of them! How can we live?’

Berean Literal Bible
Now you, son of man, say to the house of Israel: Thus you⁺ have spoken, saying, ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and in them we rot away! How then can we live?’

King James Bible
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

New King James Version
“Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?” ’

New American Standard Bible
“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what you have said: “Surely our offenses and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?”’

NASB 1995
“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have spoken, saying, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?"’

NASB 1977
“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have spoken, saying, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?”’

Legacy Standard Bible
“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have spoken, saying, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we live?”’

Amplified Bible
“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have said, “Truly our transgressions and our sins are on us, and we are rotting away because of them; how then can we live?”’

Berean Annotated Bible
Now as for you, son of man, tell the house of Israel (he wrestles with God) that this is what they have said: ‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us, and we are wasting away because of them! How can we live?

Christian Standard Bible
“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘You have said this: “Our transgressions and our sins are heavy on us, and we are wasting away because of them! How then can we survive? ” ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel: You have said this, ‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy on us, and we are wasting away because of them! How then can we survive?’

American Standard Version
And thou, son of man, say unto the house of Israel: Thus ye speak, saying, Our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we pine away in them; how then can we live?

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said: Ezekiel, son of man, the people of Israel are complaining that the punishment for their sins is more than they can stand. They have lost all hope for survival, and they blame me.

English Revised Version
And thou, son of man, say unto the house of Israel: Thus ye speak, saying, Our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we pine away in them; how then should we live?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Son of man, say to the people of Israel, 'You have said this, "Our wickedness and our sins weigh us down, and we are rotting away because of them. How can we live?"'

Good News Translation
The LORD spoke to me. "Mortal man," he said, "repeat to the Israelites what they are saying: 'We are burdened with our sins and the wrongs we have done. We are wasting away. How can we live?'

International Standard Version
"'Now, Son of Man, tell this to the house of Israel: 'You keep saying, "Our crimes and sins burden us so much that we're rotting away, so how can we keep on living?"'

NET Bible
"And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'This is what you have said: "Our rebellious acts and our sins have caught up with us, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?"'

New Heart English Bible
"You, son of man, tell the house of Israel: 'Thus you speak, saying, "Our transgressions and our sins are on us, and we pine away in them; how then can we live?"'

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak to the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Now as for you, son of man, tell the house of Israel that this is what they have said: ‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us, and we are wasting away because of them! How can we live?’

World English Bible
“You, son of man, tell the house of Israel: ‘You say this, “Our transgressions and our sins are on us, and we pine away in them. How then can we live?”’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel: You have spoken correctly, saying, "" Surely our transgressions and our sins [are] on us, "" And we are wasting away in them, "" How, then, do we live?

Berean Literal Bible
Now you, son of man, say to the house of Israel: Thus you⁺ have spoken, saying, ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and in them we rot away! How then can we live?’

Young's Literal Translation
And thou, son of man, say unto the house of Israel: Rightly ye have spoken, saying: Surely our transgressions and our sins are on us, And in them we are wasting away, How, then, do we live?

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou son of man, say to the house of Israel: Thus ye said, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pining away in them, and how shall we live?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou therefore, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: Thus you have spoken, saying: Our iniquities, and our sins are upon us, and we pine away in them: how then can we live?

Catholic Public Domain Version
You, therefore, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: You have spoken in this way, saying: ‘Our iniquities and our sins are upon us, and we waste away in them. So then, how would we be able to live?’

New American Bible
As for you, son of man, speak to the house of Israel: You people say, “Our crimes and our sins weigh us down; we are rotting away because of them. How can we survive?”

New Revised Standard Version
Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You therefore, O Son of man, say to the house of Israel. Thus have you spoken, saying, Our iniquity and our sins be upon us, and we are pining away in them; how can we live?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But you, son of man, say to the house of Israel: thus you have said, ‘Our evil and our sins are upon us, and we waste away in them! How are we living?’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore, O thou son of man, say unto the house of Israel: Thus ye speak, saying: Our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we pine away in them; how then can we live?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou, son of man, say to the house of Israel; Thus have ye spoken, saying, Our errors, and our iniquities weigh upon us, and we pine away in them, and how then shall we live?

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Message of the Watchman
10Now as for you, son of man, tell the house of Israel that this is what they have said: ‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us, and we are wasting away because of them! How can we live?’ 11Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’…

Cross References
Now as for you, son of man,

Ezekiel 2:1
“Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”

Ezekiel 3:1
“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.”

Ezekiel 3:17
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
tell the house of Israel

Ezekiel 3:4
Then He said to me, “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak My words to them.

Ezekiel 2:3
“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me.

Ezekiel 2:7
But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.
that this is what they have said:

1 Kings 8:47
and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’

Leviticus 26:40-42
But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.

Daniel 9:5-6
we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances. / We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, fathers, and all the people of the land.
‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us,

Psalm 38:4
For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear.

Psalm 40:12
For evils without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed within me.

Ezra 9:6
and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.
and we are wasting away because of them!

Leviticus 26:39
Those of you who survive in the lands of your enemies will waste away in their iniquity and will decay in the sins of their fathers.

Psalm 31:10
For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away.

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
How can we live?’

Ezekiel 18:31-32
Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore, O you son of man, speak to the house of Israel; Thus you speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be on us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

Ezekiel 24:23
And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

Leviticus 26:39
And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.

how

Ezekiel 37:11
Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

Psalm 130:7
Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

Isaiah 49:14
But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.

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Ezekiel 33
1. According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people
7. Ezekiel is admonished of his duty
10. God shows the justice of his ways toward the penitent and toward revolters
17. He maintains his justice
21. Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem
25. he prophecies the desolation of the land
30. God's judgment upon the mockers of the prophets












Now as for you, son of man,

God addresses Ezekiel by the title that emphasizes his human weakness before the sovereign Lord and his appointed role as God’s messenger to the exiles.

Ezk 2:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet”…
Ezk 3:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here.”…
Ezk 3:17 Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house…

tell the house of Israel

The warning belongs to the whole covenant nation, whose rebellion had brought judgment and exile in Babylon.

Ezk 3:4 Then He said to me, “Son of man, go now…
Ezk 2:3 “Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you…
Ezk 2:7 But speak My words to them, whether they listen…

that this is what they have said:

The people have begun to admit the misery produced by their rebellion, though their confession is marked by despair.

1Ki 8:47 We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly…
Lev 26:40-42 But if they will confess their iniquity…
Dan 9:5-6 we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly.…

‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us,

They recognize that their persistent disobedience has brought guilt and divine discipline upon them.

Psa 38:4 For my iniquities have overwhelmed me;…
Psa 40:12 For evils without number surround me; my sins have overtaken…
Ezr 9:6 O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed…

and we are wasting away because of them!

Their national ruin, exile, and suffering reveal sin’s destructive power.

Lev 26:39 Those of you who survive in the lands of your enemies…
Psa 31:10 For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning…
Isa 64:6 Each of us has become like something unclean,…

How can we live?’

Believing themselves beyond recovery, they ask whether restoration is possible. The question prepares for God’s declaration that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but calls them to turn and live.

Ezk 18:31-32 Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions…
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today…
Hos 14:1-2 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God for you have stumbled…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. Known for his vivid visions and symbolic acts.

2. House of Israel
Refers to the collective people of Israel, who are in exile due to their disobedience and sin against God.

3. Exile in Babylon
The historical context in which the Israelites find themselves, having been taken captive due to their persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.
Teaching Points
Acknowledgment of Sin
Recognizing our transgressions is the first step toward repentance. The Israelites' awareness of their sins is crucial for their spiritual renewal.

Despair vs. Hope
The question "How then can we live?" reflects a sense of despair. However, it opens the door to hope through repentance and God's mercy.

God's Desire for Repentance
God does not delight in the death of the wicked but desires that they turn from their ways and live. This underscores His mercy and willingness to forgive.

Personal Reflection
Just as the Israelites were called to reflect on their sins, we too must examine our lives and seek God's forgiveness and guidance.

Life Through Repentance
True life, both spiritually and eternally, is found in turning away from sin and toward God, embracing His grace and forgiveness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 33:10?

2. How does Ezekiel 33:10 address the people's feelings of hopelessness and despair?

3. What does "our offenses and sins weigh us down" reveal about sin's impact?

4. How can Ezekiel 33:10 guide us in seeking God's forgiveness today?

5. Connect Ezekiel 33:10 with 1 John 1:9 on confession and forgiveness.

6. How can we encourage others feeling overwhelmed by sin, as in Ezekiel 33:10?

7. How does Ezekiel 33:10 address the concept of personal responsibility for sin?

8. What is the historical context of Ezekiel 33:10 in the Babylonian exile?

9. How does Ezekiel 33:10 relate to the theme of repentance in the Bible?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 33?


(10) How should we then live?--Formerly, when the prophet had given them warning of impending judgments, the people had refused to believe: now, however, when those judgments had been realised, they despaired, and cried out, "If all this is in punishment for our sins, how can there yet be any hope for us?"

Verse 10. - Thus ye speak, saying, etc. At the earlier stage the prophet had to contend with scorn, incredulity, derision (Ezekiel 12:22). They trusted in the promises of the false prophets (Ezekiel 13:6). They laid to their soul the flattering unction that they were suffering, not for their own sins, but for the sins of their fathers (Ezekiel 18:2). Now they stand face to face with the fulfillment of the prophet's words. They cherish no hopes, and they make no excuses. They have fallen into the abyss of despair. Admitting their own sin and the righteousness of their punishment, does not the very admission exclude hope? Who can bring life to those that are thus dead in trespasses and sins? The parallelism with Leviticus 26:39-42 is so striking that it can scarcely be accidental

Ezekiel 33:10 records Israel’s despair under the crushing weight of sin. God calls His prophet to relay their own words back to them, highlighting genuine awareness of guilt yet revealing their lack of hope. Sin’s heaviness leads to spiritual wasting, driving them to ask, “How can we live?” The verse sets the stage for God’s gracious invitation in the next verse: “Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?” The passage reminds believers that recognizing sin’s burden is essential, but true life is found only by turning to the Lord who freely offers forgiveness and renewal.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now as for you,
וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of man,
אָדָ֗ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

tell
אֱמֹר֙ (’ĕ·mōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

that this is what
כֵּ֤ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

[they] have said:
אֲמַרְתֶּם֙ (’ă·mar·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Our transgressions
פְשָׁעֵ֥ינוּ (p̄ə·šā·‘ê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 6588: Transgression

and our sins
וְחַטֹּאתֵ֖ינוּ (wə·ḥaṭ·ṭō·ṯê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

are heavy
עָלֵ֑ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

upon us,
וּבָ֛ם (ū·ḇām)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

and we
אֲנַ֥חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

are wasting away because of them!
נְמַקִּ֖ים (nə·maq·qîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 4743: To melt, to flow, dwindle, vanish

How
וְאֵ֥יךְ (wə·’êḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

can we live?’
נִֽחְיֶֽה׃ (niḥ·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive


Additonal Resources
Ezekiel 33:10 Blue Letter Bible
Ezekiel 33:10 Bible Gateway
Ezekiel 33:10 Bible.com

Ezekiel 33:10 NIV
Ezekiel 33:10 NLT
Ezekiel 33:10 ESV
Ezekiel 33:10 NASB
Ezekiel 33:10 KJV

Ezekiel 33:10 Study Bible
Ezekiel 33:10 Biblia Paralela
Ezekiel 33:10 Chinese Bible
Ezekiel 33:10 French Bible
Ezekiel 33:10 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:10 You son of man tell the house (Ezek. Eze Ezk)

Ezekiel 33:9
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