Ezekiel 24:9-19

9 This is what the Sovereign Lord is saying: "The city of murderers is doomed! I myself will pile up the firewood.
10 Bring more wood! Fan the flames! Cook the meat! Boil away the broth! Burn up the bones!
11 Now set the empty bronze pot on the coals and let it get red-hot. Then the pot will be ritually pure again after the corrosion is burned off,
12 although all that corrosion will not disappear in the flames.
13 Jerusalem, your immoral actions have defiled you. Although I tried to purify you, you remained defiled. You will not be pure again until you have felt the full force of my anger.
14 I, the Lord, have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not ignore your sins or show pity or be merciful. You will be punished for what you have done." The Sovereign Lord has spoken.
15 The Lord spoke to me.
16 "Mortal man," he said, "with one blow I am going to take away the person you love most. You are not to complain or cry or shed any tears.
17 Don't let your sobbing be heard. Do not go bareheaded or barefoot as a sign of mourning. Don't cover your face or eat the food that mourners eat."
18 Early in the day I was talking with the people. That evening my wife died, and the next day I did as I had been told.
19 The people asked me, "Why are you acting like this?"

Ezekiel 24:9-19 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.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Some ancient translations] Boil away the broth!; [Hebrew unclear.]
  • [b]. [Verse 12 in Hebrew begins with two words, the meaning of which is unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.