In Ezekiel 24, Ezekiel is commissioned to announce to his fellow-exiles that the destruction of Jerusalem, so long foretold, was now in course of execution, that the siege had actually begun. This he is to declare: (1) by a parable - of the boiling pot, (2) by a symbolic act - the abstaining from... [ Continue Reading ]
The prophecies in this chapter were delivered two years and five months after those of the previous section Ezekiel 20:1. The day mentioned here was the very day on which Nebuchadnezzar completed his arrangements for the siege, and closed in the city (marginal references). After the captivity this d... [ Continue Reading ]
A POT - Or, the caldron; with reference to Ezekiel 11:3. The prophet indicates by the figure utter destruction. The caldron is the city, the fire is the surrounding army, the flesh and bones are the inhabitants shut in within the walls.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PIECES THEREOF - Or, that belong to it; i. e., the pieces which are designed for the caldron, and belong to it as the inhabitants belong to the city. The choice pieces are the choice members of the community Ezekiel 11:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
BURN - Rather, as in margin; the bones would serve for fuel.... [ Continue Reading ]
SCUM - Better, rust (and in Ezekiel 24:11). BRING IT OUT PIECE BY PIECE - It, the city; bring out the inhabitants, one by one, clear the city of them, whether by death, exile, or captivity. LET NO LOT FALL UPON IT - In the captivity of Jehoiakim and in that of Jehoiachin, some were taken, others l... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TOP OF A ROCK - The blood was poured upon a naked, dry, rock where it could not be absorbed or unnoticed.... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSUME ... SPICE IT WELL - i. e., “dress the flesh, and make it froth and bubble, that the bones and the flesh may be all boiled up together.”... [ Continue Reading ]
The death of Ezekiel’s wife took place in the evening of the same day that he delivered the foregoing prophecy. This event was to signify to the people that the Lord would take from them all that was most dear to them; and - owing to the extraordinary nature of the times - quiet lamentation for the... [ Continue Reading ]