Ezekiel 24:10-20

10 Pile on the logs and kindle the fire! Cook the meat well and mix in the spices![a][b] Let the bones be burned!
11 Set the empty pot on its coals so that it becomes hot and its copper glows. Then its impurity will melt inside it; its rust will be consumed.
12 It has frustrated every effort;[c] its thick rust will not come off. Into the fire with its rust!
13 Because of the indecency of your uncleanness- since I tried to purify you, but you would not be purified from your uncleanness- you will not be pure again until I have satisfied My wrath on you.
14 I, the Lord, have spoken. It is coming, and I will do it! I will not refrain, I will not show pity, and I will not relent. I[d] will judge you according to your ways and deeds. [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the declaration of the Lord God .

The Death of Ezekiel's Wife: A Sign

15 Then the word of the Lord came to me:
16 "Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow.
17 Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover [your] mustache[e] or eat the bread of mourners."[f][g]
18 I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded.
19 Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?"
20 So I answered them: "The word of the Lord came to me:

Ezekiel 24:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 24

Is this chapter the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem is prophesied of; the former under the parable of a boiling pot; the latter is represented by the sudden death of Ezekiel's wife. The time of this prophecy was that very day the king of Babylon began the siege of Jerusalem, Eze 24:1,2, the parable of the boiling pot, Eze 24:3-5, the explanation and application of it to the city of Jerusalem, Eze 24:6-14, the prophet is told of the death of his wife, and bid not to mourn on that account, which accordingly came to pass, Eze 24:15-18, upon the people's inquiring what these things meant, he informs them that hereby was signified the profanation of the temple; and that their distress should be so great, that they should not use any set forms of mourning, but pine away and die, Eze 24:19-24, and the chapter is closed with assuring the prophet, that the day these things should come to pass, a messenger should be sent him, to whom he should open his mouth, and be no more dumb, Eze 24:25-27.

Footnotes 7

  • [a]. Some Hb mss read well; remove the broth; LXX reads fire so that the meat may be cooked and the broth may be reduced
  • [b]. Or and stir the broth
  • [c]. Hb obscure
  • [d]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg; other Hb mss read They
  • [e]. Lv 13:45; 2 Sm 19:4; Mc 3:7
  • [f]. Lit men
  • [g]. Jr 16:7
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