Ezekiel 24

Parable of the Boiling Pot

1 The word of the Lord came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth [day] of the month:

2 "Son of man, write down today's date, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

3 Now speak a parable to the rebellious house. Tell them: This is what the Lord God says: Put the pot^[a] on [the fire]- put [it] on, and then pour water into it!

4 Place the pieces of meat in it, every good piece- thigh and shoulder. Fill it with choice bones.

5 Take the choicest of the flock and also pile up the fuel^[b] under it. Bring it to a boil and cook the bones in it."

6 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: Woe to the city of bloodshed, the pot that has rust inside it, and whose rust will not come off! Empty it piece by piece; lots should not be cast for its contents.

7 For the blood she shed^[c] is in her midst. She put it out on the bare rock; she didn't pour it on the ground to cover it with dust.^[d]

8 In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have put her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.

9 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: Woe to the city of bloodshed! I Myself will make the pile of kindling large.

10 Pile on the logs and kindle the fire! Cook the meat well and mix in the spices!^[e][f] 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;^[g] 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^[h] 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^[i] or eat the bread of mourners."^[j][k]

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:

21 'Say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your heart. Also, the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.

22 Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover [your] mustache or eat the bread of mourners.^[l]

23 Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not lament or weep but will waste away because of your sins and will groan to one another.

24 Now Ezekiel will be a sign for you. You will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord God .

25 " 'Son of man, know that on the day I take their stronghold from them, their pride and joy, the delight of their eyes and the longing of their hearts, [as well as] their sons and daughters,

26 on that day a fugitive will come to you and report the news.

27 On that day your mouth will be opened [to talk] with him; you will speak and no longer be mute.^[m] So you will be a sign for them, and they will know that I am the Lord.' "

Ezekiel 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

The fate of Jerusalem. (1-14) The extent of the sufferings of the Jews. (15-27)

Verses 1-14 The pot on the fire represented Jerusalem besieged by the Chaldeans: all orders and ranks were within the walls, prepared as a prey for the enemy. They ought to have put away their transgressions, as the scum, which rises by the heat of the fire, is taken from the top of the pot. But they grew worse, and their miseries increased. Jerusalem was to be levelled with the ground. The time appointed for the punishment of wicked men may seem to come slowly, but it will come surely. It is sad to think how many there are, on whom ordinances and providences are all lost.

Verses 15-27 Though mourning for the dead is a duty, yet it must be kept under by religion and right reason: we must not sorrow as men that have no hope. Believers must not copy the language and expressions of those who know not God. The people asked the meaning of the sign. God takes from them all that was dearest to them. And as Ezekiel wept not for his affliction, so neither should they weep for theirs. Blessed be God, we need not pine away under our afflictions; for should all comforts fail, and all sorrows be united, yet the broken heart and the mourner's prayer are always acceptable before God.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ezk 11:3,11
• [b]. Lit bones
• [c]. Lit For her blood
• [d]. Lv 17:13-14; Dt 12:16,24
• [e]. Some Hb mss read well; remove the broth; LXX reads fire so that the meat may be cooked and the broth may be reduced
• [f]. Or and stir the broth
• [g]. Hb obscure
• [h]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg; other Hb mss read They
• [i]. Lv 13:45; 2 Sm 19:4; Mc 3:7
• [j]. Lit men
• [k]. Jr 16:7
• [l]. Lit men
• [m]. Ezk 3:26-27

Chapter Summary

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.