Keraia
Ezekiel 24

Ezekiel 24:2

The Parable of the Cooking Pot · Ezekiel 24:1–14
Read Ezekiel 24

Translations

Modern
“Son of man, write down today’s date, for on this very day the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem.
Traditional
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.
Literal
“Son of man, write down for yourself the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege against Jerusalem on this very day.
Latin
Fili hominis, scribe tibi nomen diei hujus, in qua confirmatus est rex Babylonis adversum Jerusalem hodie.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Son of man, write down today’s date, for on this very day the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem.

Notes

Ezekiel 24:2

  • Ezekiel had warned the people about this event, and it had finally happened (see also 2 Kings 25:1–2).

  • has laid siege (literally is leaning on): The same words were used when a worshiper placed his hands on the animal he brought for sacrifice (Leviticus 1:4; 3:2).

    When the worshiper pressed his hands on the animal, he showed that the animal was taking his place.

    In this picture, Jerusalem is like that animal. The city is shown as a sacrificial lamb that will be killed. Its destruction would display God’s glory and justice.

Ezekiel 24:1–14

At first, the picture of a cooking pot seems positive. It makes people think about good food and shared meals. In many cultures, a meal brings people together in peace and joy.

The pot was filled with choice pieces of meat from a sacrifice. A fire burned under the pot. The meat began to cook slowly.

However, like many parables, this story has a sharp ending. What should have been a good meal became rotten and unclean. The best pieces of meat went into the pot, but they came out spoiled.

The pot represents Jerusalem (Ezekiel 24:9). The meat inside represents the people. Instead of being pure and pleasing to God, they had become corrupt (morally ruined). As a result, the pot and its contents would be burned and destroyed.

Theme notes and profiles

Prophetic Sign Acts

Events

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Ezekiel, Book of

Topics

Ezekiel: Teaches by Pantomime: Employs a Boiling Pot to Symbolize the Destruction of Jerusalem Instruction by Object Lessons: The Boiling Pot Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Symbols and Similitudes: A Boiling Pot