ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezekiel 24

Ezek. 24:1–27 The two losses recounted here almost certainly belong together, and they come at a turning point in Ezekiel’s prophetic career. The first loss (vv. 1–14) is that of the city of Jerusalem: the beginning of the Babylonian siege marks the beginning of the end for Jerusalem. The second loss, that of Ezekiel’s own wife (vv. 15–24), leads to his most memorable symbolic action. The final three verses, 25–27, are a promise for Ezekiel himself.

Ezek. 24:1–14 This is the last of Ezekiel’s “parables” (see 12:22). It uses imagery already found in the temple vision (see 11:2–3) but further develops and clarifies it here. As the Babylonians lay siege to Jerusalem, it is likened to a boiling pot. A brief “song” in 24:3b–5 receives two explanations in vv. 6–14.

Ezek. 24:1–5 The oracle is precisely dated in v. 1. It corresponds exactly to the date given in 2 Kings 25:1 (see also Jer. 39:1; 52:4) and is equivalent to January 587 b.c. (or 588 if counted by years of exile).

Ezek. 24:2 The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. Jerusalem was 880 miles (1,416 km) from Babylon, a journey of several weeks. God revealed the invasion to Ezekiel while it was happening.

Ezek. 24:10–14 The extent of the corruption and rot demands that both the pot and its contents be completely consumed (v. 11; see 22:15). The repetition of first-person pronouns in 24:14 emphasize that this is God’s work, and it is certain to happen.

Ezek. 24:15–24 No further reference is made to a date, but the placement of this account next to the oracle about the siege of Jerusalem is significant. Ezekiel has performed other symbolic actions (4:1–5:17; 12:1–28; 21:19–20), but this must be the most painful. He is now about 35 years old. He is told that his wife will die, and that he must not mourn. She dies, and he does not mourn. Ezekiel has learned that there is nothing that God cannot ask of him.

Ezek. 24:19–24 The people are disturbed by Ezekiel’s apparent lack of grief, but his action symbolizes what awaits them: the desecration of the temple will be devastating and numbing, breaking the people’s spirit.

Ezek. 24:25–27 As for you, son of man. The final verses of this oracle are for Ezekiel himself. They continue the language of loss found in the preceding verses. The prophecy foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the arrival of a fugitive bearing the news. Ezekiel’s speech will be regained when this happens. Once again Ezekiel will be a sign to them, as he had been at the death of his wife.