Ezekiel – Chapter 24

Old Testament27 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 24 of Ezekiel begins: "And the word of the Lord came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, the tenth day of the month, saying:" Ezekiel stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 27 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and holiness. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And the word of the Lord came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, the tenth day of the month, saying:

2Son of man, write thee the name of this day, on which the king of Babylon hath set himself against Jerusalem to day.

3And thou shalt speak by a figure a parable to the provoking house, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Set on a pot, set it on, I say, and put water in it.

4Heap together into it the pieces thereof, every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder, choice pieces and full of bones.

5Take the fattest of the flock, and lay together piles of bones under it: the seething thereof is boiling hot, and the bones thereof are thoroughly sodden in the midst of it.

6Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose rust is in it, and its rust is not gone out of it: cast it out piece by piece, there hath no lot fallen upon it.

7For her blood is in the midst of her, she hath shed it upon the smooth rock: she hath not shed it upon the ground, that it might be covered with dust.

8And that I might bring my indignation upon her, and take my vengeance: I have shed her blood upon the smooth rock, that it should not be covered.

9Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the bloody city, of which I will make a great bonfire.

10Heap together the bones, which I will burn with fire: the flesh shall be consumed, and the whole composition shall be sodden, and the bones shall be consumed.

11Then set it empty upon burning coals, that it may be hot, and the brass thereof may be melted: and let the filth of it be melted in the midst thereof, and let the rust of it be consumed.

12Great pains have been taken, and the great rust thereof is not gone out, not even by fire.

13Thy uncleanness is execrable: because I desired to cleanse thee, and thou art not cleansed from thy filthiness: neither shalt thou be cleansed, before I cause my indignation to rest in thee.

14I the Lord have spoken: it shall come to pass, and I will do it: I will not pass by, nor spare, nor be pacified: I will judge thee according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, saith the Lord.

15And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

16Son of man, behold I take from thee the desire of thy eyes with a stroke, and thou shall not lament, nor weep; neither shall thy tears run down.

17Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead: let the tire of thy head be upon thee, and thy shoes on thy feet, and cover not thy face, nor eat the meat of mourners.

18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening: and I did in the morning as he had commanded me.

19And the people said to me: Why dost thou not tell us what these things mean that thou doest?

20And I said to them: The word of the Lord came to me, saying:

21Speak to the house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will profane my sanctuary, the glory of your realm, and the thing that your eyes desire, and for which your soul feareth: your sons, and your daughters, whom you have left, shall fall by the sword.

22And you shall do as I have done: you shall not cover your faces, nor shall you eat the meat of mourners.

23You shall have crowns on your heads, and shoes on your feet: you shall not lament nor weep, but you shall pine away for your iniquities, and every one shall sigh with his brother.

24And Ezekiel shall be unto you for a sign of things to come: according to all that he hath done, so shall you do, when this shall come to pass: and you shall know that I am the Lord God.

25And thou, O son of man, behold in the day wherein I will take away from them their strength, and the joy of their glory, and the desire of their eyes, upon which their souls rest, their sons and their daughters.

26In that day when he that escapeth shall come to thee, to tell thee:

27In that day, I say, shall thy mouth be opened to him that hath escaped, and thou shalt speak, and shalt be silent no more: and thou shalt be unto them for a sign of things to come, and you shall know that I am the Lord.

Important Verses in Ezekiel 24

And thou shalt speak by a figure a parable to the provoking house, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Set on a pot, set it on, I say, and put water in it.

Ezekiel 24:3

Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose rust is in it, and its rust is not gone out of it: cast it out piece by piece, there hath no lot fallen upon it.

Ezekiel 24:6

Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the bloody city, of which I will make a great bonfire.

Ezekiel 24:9

Speak to the house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will profane my sanctuary, the glory of your realm, and the thing that your eyes desire, and for which your soul feareth: your sons, and your daughters, whom you have left, shall fall by the sword.

Ezekiel 24:21

Historical Context

Ezekiel belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the exiles in Babylon, moved from despair to hope of restoration. Chapter 24 of 48 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 27 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Ezekiel, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And the word of the Lord came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, the tenth day of the month, saying:" The chapter ends with: "In that day, I say, shall thy mouth be opened to him that hath escaped, and thou shalt speak, and shalt be silent no…" In terms of historical background, Ezekiel was deported to Babylon in 597 BC and prophesied among the exiles through astonishing visions: God's throne-chariot, the departure of His glory from the Temple, the valley of dry bones brought to life, and a new… Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Ezekiel around About 593-571 BC, in Babylon.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Ezekiel, priest and exile

When It Was Written

About 593-571 BC, in Babylon

Catholic Commentary

The prophetic discourse in this chapter speaks to a community facing the consequences of its choices before God. A pivotal line is verse 3: "And thou shalt speak by a figure a parable to the provoking house, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Set on a pot, set it on, I say, and put water in…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of judgment, restoration, and God's glory. Ezekiel's visions inform Catholic understanding of heaven and liturgy (CIC 1137). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 302).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Ezekiel1 mention

Reflection for Today

Ezekiel Chapter 24, containing 27 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1604). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands judgment, restoration, and God's glory.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of living the Gospel in daily work bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ezekiel Chapter 24 about?

Ezekiel 24 contains 27 verses. It opens with "And the word of the Lord came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, the tenth day of the month, saying:" and closes with "In that day, I say, shall thy mouth be opened to him that hath escaped, and thou shalt speak, and shalt be silent no…". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and oracles.

What is a key verse in Ezekiel 24?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "And thou shalt speak by a figure a parable to the provoking house, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Set on a pot, set it on, I say, and put water in it." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Ezekiel Chapter 24?

This chapter mentions Ezekiel.

Who wrote Ezekiel and when?

The prophet Ezekiel, priest and exile. About 593-571 BC, in Babylon.

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