Ezekiel 33:6
New International Version
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’

New Living Translation
But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’

English Standard Version
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.

Berean Standard Bible
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’

King James Bible
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

New King James Version
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’

New American Standard Bible
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the horn and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away for his wrongdoing; but I will require his blood from the watchman’s hand.’

NASB 1995
‘But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

NASB 1977
‘But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

Legacy Standard Bible
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

Amplified Bible
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, he is taken away because of his corruption and sin; but I will require his blood from the watchman’s hand.’

Christian Standard Bible
However, suppose the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn’t blow the ram’s horn, so that the people aren’t warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives. Then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, if the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn’t blow the trumpet, so that the people aren’t warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives, then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.”

American Standard Version
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned, and the sword come, and take any person from among them; he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

Contemporary English Version
But suppose the person watching fails to sound the warning signal. The enemy will attack and kill some of the sinful people in that country, and I, the LORD, will hold that person responsible for their death.

English Revised Version
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned, and the sword come, and take any person from among them; he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn't blow his horn to warn the people and the enemy comes and kills someone, that watchman must die because of his sin. I will hold him responsible for their deaths.'

Good News Translation
If, however, the lookout sees the enemy coming and does not sound the alarm, the enemy will come and kill those sinners, but I will hold the lookout responsible for their death.

International Standard Version
If that sentinel notices that violence is approaching, but does not sound an alarm, then because the nation does not take warning and the sword arrives and destroys their lives because of their guilt, I'll seek retribution for their shed blood from the one who was acting as sentinel.'"

Majority Standard Bible
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’

NET Bible
But suppose the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people. Then the sword comes and takes one of their lives. He is swept away for his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for that person's death.'

New Heart English Bible
But if the watchman sees the sword come, and doesn't blow the trumpet, and the people aren't warned, and the sword comes, and take any person from among them; he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.'

Webster's Bible Translation
But if the watchman shall see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword shall come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

World English Bible
But if the watchman sees the sword come and doesn’t blow the trumpet, and the people aren’t warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the watchman, when he sees the sword coming in, "" And he has not blown with a horn, "" And the people have not been warned, "" And a sword comes in, "" And takes away a soul from them, "" He is taken away in his iniquity, "" And I require his blood from the hand of the watchman.

Young's Literal Translation
And the watchman, when he seeth the sword coming in, And he hath not blown with a trumpet, And the people hath not been warned, And come in doth a sword, And taketh away of them -- a soul, He in his iniquity is taken away, And his blood from the hand of the watchman I require.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if the watchman shall see the sword coming, and he struck not upon the trumpet, and the people were not warned; and the sword shall come and take a soul from them, he was taken away in his iniquity, and his blood I will seek from the watchman's hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if the watchman see the sword coming, and sound not the trumpet: and the people look not to themselves, and the sword come, and cut off a soul from among them: he indeed is taken away in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at the hand of the watchman.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if the watchman sees the sword approaching, and he does not sound the trumpet, and so the people do not guard themselves, and the sword arrives and takes some of their lives, certainly these have been taken due to their own iniquity. But I will attribute their blood to the hand of the watchman.

New American Bible
If, however, the sentinel sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the sword attacks and takes someone’s life, his life will be taken for his own sin, but I will hold the sentinel responsible for his blood.

New Revised Standard Version
But if the sentinel sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any of them, they are taken away in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at the sentinel’s hand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But when the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and does not warn the people, and the sword comes and takes the life from among them, that life is taken away in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at the watchman's hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But whenever the Watchman sees the sword coming and he does not sound on the trumpet, and he does not warn the people, and the sword has come and it took a life from them, this life was taken by his sins, and I shall require its blood from the hands of the Watchman
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the horn, and the people be not warned, and the sword do come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if the watchman see the sword coming, and do not sound the trumpet, and the people do not watch; and the sword come, and take a soul from among them, that soul is taken because of its iniquity; but the blood thereof will I require at the watchman's hand.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezekiel the Watchman for Israel
5Since he heard the sound of the horn but failed to heed the warning, his blood will be on his own head. If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved his life. 6But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’ 7As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me.…

Cross References
Isaiah 56:10
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Jeremiah 6:17
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’

Acts 20:26-27
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. / For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Isaiah 21:6-8
For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. / When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.” / Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post.

2 Timothy 4:1-5
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: / Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. / For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. ...

Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

Hosea 9:8
The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God!

Isaiah 62:6
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,

1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Matthew 25:13
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Luke 12:37-40
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. / Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ...

1 Peter 5:2-4
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Proverbs 24:11-12
Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. / If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?


Treasury of Scripture

But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

and blow

Isaiah 56:10,11
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber…

he is

Ezekiel 33:8,9
When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand…

Ezekiel 18:20,24
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him…

Proverbs 14:32
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

his blood

Ezekiel 3:18-20
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand…

Ezekiel 34:10
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

Genesis 9:5
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

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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














But if the watchman
The term "watchman" in Hebrew is "צֹפֶה" (tsopheh), which refers to someone who is vigilant and observant, often stationed on a high place to see far into the distance. In ancient times, watchmen were crucial for the safety of a city, tasked with warning of impending danger. Spiritually, this role symbolizes those who are called to be alert and to warn others of spiritual dangers, such as prophets, pastors, or any believer with a message from God. The watchman’s duty is not just a physical task but a spiritual responsibility, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in the Christian life.

sees the sword coming
The "sword" is a metaphor for impending judgment or disaster. In the Hebrew context, the sword often symbolizes war, divine judgment, or calamity. The watchman’s ability to "see" indicates discernment and awareness of spiritual realities. This phrase challenges believers to be perceptive to the signs of the times and the moral and spiritual decline that may invite divine judgment. It underscores the necessity for spiritual insight and the courage to act upon what is seen.

and fails to blow the trumpet
The "trumpet" (Hebrew: "שׁוֹפָר" - shofar) was an instrument used to signal danger or call people to action. In biblical times, the sound of the trumpet was unmistakable and urgent, designed to rouse people from complacency. Failing to blow the trumpet signifies neglecting one's duty to warn others. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibility to speak out against sin and to alert others to the consequences of ignoring God’s commands. It is a call to proactive faith, where silence in the face of sin is not an option.

to warn the people
The act of warning is a compassionate and necessary duty. The Hebrew root "הִזְהִיר" (hizhir) implies shining a light or making something clear. The watchman’s role is to illuminate the truth and make the danger evident to the people. This phrase highlights the importance of clear communication and the moral obligation to guide others away from harm. It reflects the heart of God, who desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance.

and the sword comes and takes away a life
This phrase illustrates the consequence of inaction. The inevitability of the sword coming and taking a life underscores the seriousness of the watchman’s duty. It serves as a stark reminder of the reality of judgment and the cost of spiritual negligence. The imagery of life being taken away is a powerful call to action, emphasizing the urgency of the watchman’s task to prevent such loss.

then that one is taken away in his iniquity
"Iniquity" (Hebrew: "עָוֹן" - avon) refers to sin or moral perversity. The person taken away in their iniquity signifies the personal responsibility each individual bears for their own sin. This phrase reinforces the biblical principle that while the watchman has a duty to warn, each person is ultimately accountable for their own actions. It highlights the justice of God, who holds each person responsible for their choices.

but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood
The accountability of the watchman is a profound theme. The Hebrew word for "accountable" (בָּקַשׁ - baqash) implies seeking or requiring something. God requires an account from the watchman for the blood of those who perish unwarned. This phrase underscores the gravity of spiritual leadership and the weight of responsibility that comes with it. It serves as a solemn reminder that those entrusted with the truth must faithfully discharge their duty to warn others, as they will be held accountable by God for their stewardship.

Verses 6-9. - But if the watchman: etc. The words imply what we might almost call the agony of self-accusation. The prophet asks himself whether he has acted on the warning which was borne in on his mind at the very beginning of his mission. Has he sounded the trumpet? Has he warned the people of the destruction that is coming on them? The outward imagery vanishes in Ver. 7. It is of no Chaldean invader that the prophet had to give personal and direct warning, but of each man's own special sin which was Bringing ruin on himself and on his country.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the watchman
וְ֠הַצֹּפֶה (wə·haṣ·ṣō·p̄eh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await

sees
יִרְאֶ֨ה (yir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the sword
הַחֶ֜רֶב (ha·ḥe·reḇ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

coming
בָּאָ֗ה (bā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and fails
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to blow
תָקַ֤ע (ṯā·qa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8628: To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsman

the trumpet,
בַּשּׁוֹפָר֙ (baš·šō·w·p̄ār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7782: A cornet, curved horn

so that the people
וְהָעָ֣ם (wə·hā·‘ām)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

are not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

warned,
נִזְהָ֔ר (niz·hār)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2094: To gleam, to enlighten

and the sword
חֶ֔רֶב (ḥe·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

comes
וַתָּב֣וֹא (wat·tā·ḇō·w)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and takes away
וַתִּקַּ֥ח (wat·tiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a life,
נָ֑פֶשׁ (nā·p̄eš)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

then that one
ה֚וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is taken away
נִלְקָ֔ח (nil·qāḥ)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

in his iniquity,
בַּעֲוֺנ֣וֹ (ba·‘ă·wō·nōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

but I will hold the watchman
הַצֹּפֶ֥ה (haṣ·ṣō·p̄eh)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await

accountable
אֶדְרֹֽשׁ׃ (’eḏ·rōš)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

for his blood.?
וְדָמ֖וֹ (wə·ḏā·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman sees the sword (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 33:5
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