Ezekiel 24

1 et factum est verbum Domini ad me in anno nono in mense decimo decima mensis dicens

2 fili hominis scribe tibi nomen diei huius in qua confirmatus est rex Babylonis adversum Hierusalem hodie

3 et dices per proverbium ad domum inritatricem parabolam et loqueris ad eos haec dicit Dominus Deus pone ollam pone inquam et mitte in ea aquam

4 congere frusta eius in ea omnem partem bonam femur et armum electa et ossibus plena

5 pinguissimum pecus adsume conpone quoque struices ossuum sub ea efferbuit coctio eius et discocta sunt ossa illius in medio eius

6 propterea haec dicit Dominus Deus vae civitati sanguinum ollae cuius rubigo in ea est et rubigo eius non exivit de ea per partes et per partes suas eice eam non cecidit super eam sors

7 sanguis enim eius in medio eius est super limpidissimam petram effudit illum non effudit illum super terram ut possit operiri pulvere

8 ut superducerem indignationem meam et vindicta ulciscerer dedi sanguinem eius super petram limpidissimam ne operiretur

9 propterea haec dicit Dominus Deus vae civitati sanguinum cuius ego grandem faciam pyram

10 congere ossa quae igne succendam consumentur carnes et concoquetur universa conpositio et ossa tabescent

11 pone quoque eam super prunas vacuam ut incalescat et liquefiat aes eius et confletur in medio eius inquinamentum eius et consumatur rubigo eius

12 multo labore sudatum est et non exibit de ea nimia rubigo eius neque per ignem

13 inmunditia tua execrabilis quia mundare te volui et non es mundata a sordibus tuis sed nec mundaberis prius donec quiescere faciam indignationem meam in te

14 ego Dominus locutus sum venit et faciam non transeam nec parcam nec placabor iuxta vias tuas et iuxta adinventiones tuas iudicavi te dicit Dominus

15 et factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens

16 fili hominis ecce ego tollo a te desiderabile oculorum tuorum in plaga et non planges neque plorabis neque fluent lacrimae tuae

17 ingemesce tacens mortuorum luctum non facies corona tua circumligata sit tibi et calciamenta tua erunt in pedibus tuis nec amictu ora velabis nec cibos lugentium comedes

18 locutus sum ergo ad populum mane et mortua est uxor mea vesperi fecique mane sicut praeceperat mihi

19 et dixit ad me populus quare non indicas nobis quid ista significent quae tu facis

20 et dixi ad eos sermo Domini factus est ad me dicens

21 loquere domui Israhel haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego polluam sanctuarium meum superbiam imperii vestri et desiderabile oculorum vestrorum et super quo pavet anima vestra et filii vestri et filiae quas reliquistis gladio cadent

22 et facietis sicut feci ora amictu non velabitis et cibos lugentium non comedetis

23 coronas habebitis in capitibus vestris et calciamenta in pedibus non plangetis neque flebitis sed tabescetis in iniquitatibus vestris et unusquisque gemet ad fratrem suum

24 eritque Hiezecihel vobis in portentum iuxta omnia quae fecit facietis cum venerit istud et scietis quia ego Dominus Deus

25 et tu fili hominis ecce in die quo tollam ab eis fortitudinem eorum et gaudium dignitatis et desiderium oculorum eorum super quo requiescunt animae eorum filios et filias eorum

26 in die illa cum venerit fugiens ad te ut adnuntiet tibi

27 in die inquam illa aperietur os tuum cum eo qui fugit et loqueris et non silebis ultra erisque eis in portentum et scietis quia ego Dominus

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.

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.