Ezekiel 24:2

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.

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, write {H3789} thee the name {H8034} of the day {H3117}, even of this same {H6106} day {H3117}: the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} set {H5564} himself against Jerusalem {H3389} this same {H6106} day {H3117}.

"Human being, write down today's date; because on this very day the king of Bavel has begun his attack on Yerushalayim.

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

Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this selfsame day: the king of Babylon drew close unto Jerusalem this selfsame day.

Context of Ezekiel 24:2

Ezekiel 24:2 is a pivotal verse that provides a precise historical anchor for Ezekiel's prophecy. God commands the prophet, who is in exile in Babylon, to record the exact date of a significant event: the beginning of the final siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This command emphasizes the divine authority and the immediate relevance of the message Ezekiel is about to deliver to the exiles, which includes the famous "boiling pot" analogy (Ezekiel 24:3-14). The verse serves as a timestamp, confirming God's direct involvement in the unfolding historical events and His communication of them to His prophet.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Precision and Foreknowledge: The repetition of "this same day" highlights God's meticulous timing and absolute foreknowledge of historical events. It assures the reader that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even the actions of foreign kings and the destruction of His own chosen city.
  • Inevitable Judgment: The siege marked the beginning of Jerusalem's ultimate destruction, a severe judgment for its persistent idolatry and rebellion against God's covenant. This verse underscores the certainty of divine judgment when warnings are ignored.
  • Prophetic Authority and Validation: By instructing Ezekiel to record the exact date, God provides irrefutable proof of the prophet's divine commission. When news of Jerusalem's fall reaches the exiles, the fulfillment of this precise prophecy would validate Ezekiel's ministry and the truthfulness of God's word.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben adam) is God's consistent address to Ezekiel throughout the book, emphasizing his humanity as a recipient of divine revelation and a representative of mankind. It contrasts Ezekiel's mortal nature with God's infinite power and knowledge. The phrase "set himself against" (Hebrew: sam al) denotes a deliberate, aggressive, and determined military action. It signifies Nebuchadnezzar's firm resolve to besiege Jerusalem, an act that God had ordained.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 24:2 reminds us of God's sovereignty over history and the unwavering reliability of His word. It teaches us that God is not a passive observer but actively orchestrates events, even those that bring about judgment. For us today, this means we can trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate control, even amidst difficult or chaotic circumstances. It also serves as a solemn reminder that God's warnings are real and should be heeded, as His judgments, though sometimes delayed, are certain to come to pass if there is no repentance. This verse encourages us to live in a way that honors God, understanding that He sees all and holds the future in His hands.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 39:1

    ¶ In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

  • Jeremiah 52:4

    And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

  • 2 Kings 25:1

    ¶ And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.

  • Isaiah 8:1

    ¶ Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.

  • Isaiah 30:8

    ¶ Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

  • Isaiah 30:9

    That this [is] a rebellious people, lying children, children [that] will not hear the law of the LORD:

  • Habakkuk 2:2

    And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

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