FocusSigns, visions, and covenant unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. A sustained sequence of signs and messages exposes Jerusalem's sin and announces the coming disaster.
interpretation Ezekiel 24:6
KJVWherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it.
Read it in context
The Parable of the Cooking Pot
Start reading at Ezekiel 24:1 (Ezekiel 24:1 to Ezekiel 24:14).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. A sustained sequence of signs and messages exposes Jerusalem's sin and announces the coming disaster.
- 24:1 Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
- 24:2 Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
- 24:3 And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it:
- 24:4 Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones.
- 24:5 Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, and make it boil well, and let them seethe the bones of it therein.
- 24:6 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it.
- 24:7 For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;
- 24:8 That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.
- 24:9 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great.
- 24:10 Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned.
- 24:11 Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed.
- 24:12 She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.
- 24:13 In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.
- 24:14 I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest and prophet among the exiles, is the named prophetic voice and traditional author. Biblical references: Ezekiel 1:1; Ezekiel 1:3. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ezekiel 21:1–24:27): The messages concern Jerusalem, Judah's leaders, and the exiled house of Israel. Ezekiel's personal bereavement becomes a sign explained to the people. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The house of Israel, with Ezekiel speaking especially among the Judean exiles in Babylonia. Some visions concern people in Jerusalem or other nations rather than people physically present with him. Biblical references: Ezekiel 3:11; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 24:21. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Parable of the Cooking Pot. Read Ezekiel 24:1 through Ezekiel 24:14 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. A sustained sequence of signs and messages exposes Jerusalem's sin and announces the coming disaster. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book repeatedly dates visions by years of captivity. Events pictured in a vision, the time of receiving it, and the time of later fulfillment should be distinguished. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Ezekiel is among the exiles by the river Chebar. Visions carry him to other scenes, including Jerusalem; visionary location is not automatically ordinary physical travel. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Parable of the Cooking Pot (Ezekiel 24:1 to Ezekiel 24:14). Start reading at Ezekiel 24:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The shepherd promise can be read alongside Jesus' teaching about the good shepherd. The connection should retain Ezekiel's concern for the scattered flock and the failure of Israel's shepherds. See Ezekiel 34:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Take warnings about personal responsibility and corrupt leadership seriously. When interpreting symbolic acts or visions, begin with the explanations supplied within the book. interpretation
Cited: Ezekiel 24:1, Ezekiel 24:14, Ezekiel 34:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11
Who wrote it, and how we know
Ezekiel the prophet
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book is written in the first person by Ezekiel the priest.
Ezekiel 1:1Ezekiel 1:3
Early traditionTradition names Ezekiel.
What is debatedSome scholars propose later editing.
Related passages
- Woe Ezek 24:9 Ezek 11:6-7 Ezek 22:2,6-9,12,27 Ezek 23:37-45 2 Kgs 21:16 2 Kgs 24:4 Mic 7:2 Nah 3:1
- to the pot Ezek 24:11-13 Jer 6:29
- bring Ezek 9:5-6 Ezek 11:7-9,11 Josh 10:22
- let no Josh 7:16-18 1 Sam 14:40-42 2 Sam 8:2 Joel 3:3 Obad 1:11 Jonah 1:7 Nah 3:10
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ezekiel 24
Ezekiel locates his ministry among the exiles and dates many visions by years of captivity. Symbolic acts and visions require attention to their stated explanations; a modern identification is not supplied merely by the presence of a symbol. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 1:2 Ezekiel 1:3
Ezekiel’s Wife Dies
Ezekiel 24:15–27FocusSigns, visions, and covenant unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. A sustained sequence of signs and messages exposes Jerusalem's sin and announces the coming disaster.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ezekiel
Ezekiel locates his ministry among the exiles and dates many visions by years of captivity. Symbolic acts and visions require attention to their stated explanations; a modern identification is not supplied merely by the presence of a symbol.
Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 1:2 Ezekiel 1:3
The vision and commission
Ezekiel 1:1–3:27FocusGlory, the scroll, and responsibility
Connection to the wholeThe opening vision and commission establish Ezekiel's task among the exiles and his responsibility to speak the LORD's words.
interpretation FocusSigns, visions, and covenant unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeA sustained sequence of signs and messages exposes Jerusalem's sin and announces the coming disaster.
interpretation Oracles against the nations
Ezekiel 25:1–32:32FocusThe surrounding powers judged
Connection to the wholeThe messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem.
interpretation After the fall: responsibility and restoration
Ezekiel 33:1–39:29FocusShepherding, cleansing, and renewed life
Connection to the wholeThe messages turn toward restoration while preserving individual responsibility and the LORD's judgment against hostile powers.
interpretation The vision of temple and land
Ezekiel 40:1–48:35FocusOrdered worship and the LORD's presence
Connection to the wholeThe final vision describes the temple, worship, life-giving waters, and the land. Its interpretation should be distinguished from what the vision itself depicts.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.