Ezekiel 24:15-18

Death of Ezekiel's Wife Is a Sign

15 And the word of the LORD came to me saying,
16 "Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the 1desire of your eyes with a 2blow; but you shall not 3mourn and you shall not weep, and your 4tears shall not come.
17 "Groan silently; make 5no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet, and do not cover your mustache and 6do not eat the bread of men."
18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.

Ezekiel 24:15-18 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.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Song of Songs 7:10; Ezekiel 24:18
  • 2. Job 23:2
  • 3. Jeremiah 16:5; Jeremiah 22:10
  • 4. Jeremiah 13:17
  • 5. Leviticus 21:10-12
  • 6. Jeremiah 16:7; Hosea 9:4
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