Ezekiel 24:12

12 But the effort is in vain: its layers of scum will not leave it; so into the fire with its scum!

Ezekiel 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 24:12

She hath wearied herself with lies
With serving idols, which were lying vanities; by trusting to the alliances of neighbouring nations, which deceived her; or by committing sin, in which there was no satisfaction; or it may be understood of wearying of God with their sins, and particularly with her lying promises of repentance and reformation: and her great scum went not forth out of her;
notwithstanding her promises; or notwithstanding the admonitions given, and the chastisements inflicted on her, yet she continued hardened in her sins, impenitent and unreformed: her scum shall be in the fire;
like a pot that boils over, its scum falls into the fire, and is consumed there; and in no other way, but by the fire of divine judgments, or the burning of the city, could the wickedness thereof be consumed. The Targum is,

``and they shall not go out of her that work iniquity; in the fire shall she be burnt, because of the multitude of her sins.''

Ezekiel 24:12 In-Context

10 heap on the wood, light it, cook the meat and add the spices - the bones can just be burned.

11 Put the empty pot on the coals, heat it till its copper bottom glows, till its impurity melts inside it, and its scum is burned away.

12 But the effort is in vain: its layers of scum will not leave it; so into the fire with its scum!

13 Because of your filthy lewdness, because you refused to be purified when I wanted to purify you; now you will not be purified from your filth until I have satisfied my fury on you.

14 "'I, ADONAI, have spoken it, and it will happen. I will do it, I will not turn back, I will not refrain or spare or relent. They will judge you as your ways and deeds deserve,' says Adonai ELOHIM."