24:1 in the ninth year, in the tenth month This date formula is based on 2 Kgs 25:1, which records the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign. The date correlates to January 5, 587 bc.

24:2 , write for yourself the name of the day Ezekiel’s use of the standard dating system to record this date may be a way to explicitly observe this command and emphasize the exact timing of the prophetic word, synchronizing it with the official dating used in historical records. The prophet’s dates usually follow his own idiosyncratic formula (see v. 1 and note).

24:3 a proverb See note on 17:2.

the rebellious house A common characterization of Ezekiel’s audience (see note on 2:5).

Place the pot A cooking pot (or cauldron) was usually made of clay, but this one is copper (v. 11). Pots for temple use could be made of silver or gold. The same word for the pot is used in the story from 2 Kgs 4:38–41.

24:4 pieces The rare Hebrew term here is usually used to refer to the pieces into which an animal sacrifice has been cut (Exod 29:17; Lev 1:6).

24:5 the bones The Hebrew term here is often rendered as “bones” and is likely a scribal error for a term referring to pieces of wood, based on the context and use of a similar term in Ezek 24:10. The difference in Hebrew is only one letter.

24:6 Woe to the city of bloodguilt Compare the characterization of Jerusalem in 22:2. Ezekiel is concerned with impurity, which is symbolized by bloodshed.

has its rust The meaning of the Hebrew word here used here is uncertain, but the context indicates some type of impurity. The impurity is inside the pot (or cauldron), suggesting that it may refer to the choice cuts of meat. If so, this implies that rather than being Yahweh’s chosen, Jerusalem’s inhabitants are viewed as contaminated and will be discarded.

one is as good as another The Hebrew text can be literally rendered here as “no lot has fallen on it,” evoking the idea of casting lots (a form of divination) used for the selection of property that would be divided up among many other things (Num 33:54; Psa 22:19).

Old Testament Theology and Divination

24:7 she did not pour it on the ground As prescribed by Mosaic law in Lev 17:13 (compare Deut 12:16). Not only did Jerusalem fail to observe the obligation to cover blood with dust, Jerusalem blatantly defied it by pouring the blood on a rock where there was no dirt to cover it. The metaphor suggests that the sins by which Jerusalem became impure were done in the open, with no attempt to hide the behavior.

24:8 so that it may not be covered It remains exposed as a visible testimony to Jerusalem’s sinful behavior. In the book of Job, Job desired that his blood remain uncovered to serve as a witness (Job 16:18).

24:9 I, even I, will make the pile of wood great Yahweh takes on the role of cook from the proverb in Ezek 24:3–5. The imagery of judgment by fire is similar to Isa 30:33.

24:11 make it stand empty upon its burning coals The impure contents have rendered the pot (or cauldron) itself impure, so it must be cleansed and purified by fire.

24:12 thick rust went not out of it Initial attempts to purify the pot (or cauldron) fail. This may allude to past attempts at religious renewal spearheaded by Hezekiah (2 Kgs 18) and Josiah (2 Kgs 22–23).

24:13 until I fully vent my rage on you The people’s stubborn resistance and the failure of previous attempts to purify the city—that is, change their actions—have culminated in Yahweh’s resolve to bring full judgment upon them (see Ezek 5:13).

Symbolic Actions of the Prophets Table

24:16 what is pleasing to your eyes Refers to Ezekiel’s wife (v. 18).

24:17 the dead; you shall not make a mourning ceremony Ezekiel is forbidden to observe the usual mourning rituals for the death of his wife (compare Jer 16:5–7).

Bind your turban on Ezekiel must dress normally, as if nothing out of the ordinary has occurred.

and the bread of mourners you shall not eat Apparently an idiom for the bread used in mourning rituals (see Ezek 24:22; Hos 9:4).

24:18 I spoke to the people in the morning He may have delivered the parable and interpretation from Ezek 24:1–14 (see note on vv. 15–27).

I did in the morning just as I was commanded Ezekiel obeys without objection.

24:19 you not make known to us what these things that you are doing mean for us Ezekiel’s outward indifference to the death of his wife was disturbing to the people of the community, who evidently understood that his unusual behavior was symbolic in some way.

24:21 my sanctuary, the pride of your strength The death of Ezekiel’s wife symbolizes Judah’s loss when the temple is destroyed.

will fall by the sword In addition to the loss of the temple—the symbol of national pride—the people will lose their children, suffering a familial loss similar to Ezekiel’s.

you shall do just as I did Ezekiel explains the significance of his sign-act.

24:27 your mouth shall be opened at the arrival of the fugitive The day the exiles receive the message that Jerusalem has fallen will inaugurate a new phase in Ezekiel’s ministry (see 33:21–22, where this event is fulfilled). Ezekiel’s prophecies in chs. 34–48 are oriented toward Israel’s future salvation and restoration.

you shall not be silent any longer See 3:26–27. The details of his muteness are open to interpretation.