Ezekiel 24:19

19 The people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these actions of yours mean for us?"

Ezekiel 24:19 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 24:19

And the people said unto me
Either seriously, as being desirous of knowing what was meant by all this; since they had reason to believe that it was not out of want of affection in Ezekiel to his wife that he so behaved; and therefore there must be some hidden meaning in it, which they should be glad to be informed of: or in a ludicrous manner, deriding the prophet for his conduct, and despising what he meant to instruct them in hereby: wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?
for they suspected it vas not on his own account, but to signify something to them, that these things were done; and laughing at him, they say, to what purpose are these things done? if you do not tell us for what reason they are done, instruct us by words, and not by actions; these were his fellow captives in Babylon.

Ezekiel 24:19 In-Context

17 Sigh silently, don't observe mourning for the dead, bind your turban on your head, put your sandals on your feet, don't cover your upper lip, and don't eat the food people prepare for mourners."

18 I spoke to the people in the morning, and that evening my wife died. So I did the following morning as I had been ordered.

19 The people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these actions of yours mean for us?"

20 I answered them, "The word of ADONAI came to me, telling me

21 to speak to the house of Isra'el and say that this is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'I am about to profane my sanctuary, the pride of your strength, the delight of your eyes and your heart's desire. Your sons and daughters whom you have left behind will die by the sword.