Ezekiel 24:18

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Ezekiel

Ezekiel 24

18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.

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Ezekiel 24:18 in Other Translations

KJV

18 So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

ESV

18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded.

NLT

18 So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do.

MSG

18 I preached to the people in the morning. That evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I'd been told.

CSB

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.

Ezekiel 24:18 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 24:18

So I spake unto the people in the morning
Did the duty of his office as a prophet; exhorted and instructed the people, particularly informed them of what had been said to him by the Lord, the evening or night before, concerning the death of his wife, and how he was to behave under such a providence; which he told them of before hand, that, when it came to pass, they might have a further proof of his being a true prophet of the Lord: and at even my wife died;
suddenly, as it was said she should; this shows who is meant by the desire of his eyes, and what by the taking it away; and I did in the morning as I was commanded;
neither moaned, nor sighed, nor wept, nor shed a tear, nor used any of the common ceremonies of mourning, but dressed and ate as at other times, as he was ordered to do; this was the next morning after his wife died. So the Syriac version,

``in the morning of the other day;''

and the Arabic version,

``in the morning of the following day.''

Thus whatever the Lord commands is to be done, though ever so contrary to the customs of men, or to natural inclinations and affections.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Ezekiel 24:18 In-Context

16 “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.

17 Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners.”

18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.

19 Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things have to do with us? Why are you acting like this?”

20 So I said to them, “The word of the LORD came to me: