Ezekiel 24:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 24:2 serves as a precise divine timestamp, instructing the prophet Ezekiel, who is in Babylonian exile, to record the exact date on which King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon initiated the final, decisive siege against Jerusalem. This command underscores God's absolute sovereignty over historical events, His meticulous foreknowledge, and the certainty of His judgment on Judah, validating Ezekiel's prophetic ministry to the disheartened exiles and preparing them for the devastating news of their beloved city's imminent fall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 24:2 immediately precedes the chilling "parable of the boiling pot" (Ezekiel 24:3-14), which graphically illustrates Jerusalem's impending destruction and the irreversible nature of God's judgment. This verse acts as a direct divine declaration, grounding the subsequent prophetic oracle in a specific, verifiable historical event. The precise dating of the siege's commencement transforms the abstract threat of judgment into a tangible, unfolding reality, emphasizing the urgency and severity of God's message. It marks a turning point in Ezekiel's ministry, shifting from warnings of impending doom to the pronouncement of its actual arrival, preparing the exiles for the inevitable news of Jerusalem's fall, which would later be confirmed in [Ezekiel 33:21](/ezekiel/33-21 "Ezekiel 33:21 - News of Jerusalem's Fall").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the early 6th century BCE, a period of intense geopolitical upheaval dominated by the rising Babylonian Empire. Jerusalem, having rebelled against Babylonian suzerainty, faced the wrath of King Nebuchadnezzar II. The first siege and deportation occurred in 597 BCE (2 Kings 24), bringing Ezekiel and many others into exile. The final siege, referenced in this verse, began on the tenth day of the tenth month of the ninth year of King Zedekiah's reign (cf. [2 Kings 25:1](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1 - Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Jerusalem Begins")), culminating in Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BCE. For the exiles, Jerusalem was not merely a city but the spiritual heart of their nation, the dwelling place of God's temple. The siege represented the ultimate collapse of their national and religious identity, a catastrophic event that God, through Ezekiel, declared His control over.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, it highlights God's **Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, demonstrating that even the actions of powerful foreign kings like Nebuchadnezzar are orchestrated within God's divine plan, as seen in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Inevitable Judgment** for unrepentant sin, specifically Jerusalem's idolatry and rebellion against the covenant, a message consistently echoed by prophets like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - God's Judgment through Babylon")). Thirdly, the precise dating serves to **Validate Prophetic Authority**, providing irrefutable evidence of Ezekiel's divine commission once the news of the siege's commencement reached the exiles, thereby reinforcing the reliability of God's word to a people struggling with despair and doubt.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Son of man (Hebrew, _bên ʼâdâm'_):** This recurring address (H1121, H120) to Ezekiel throughout the book emphasizes his humanity and mortality in stark contrast to the divine majesty and omnipotence of God who speaks to him. "Ben" (H1121) denotes a son, often implying a builder or inheritor, while "adam" (H120) refers to a human being, individual, or mankind. Together, the phrase underscores Ezekiel's role as a representative of humanity, a mortal recipient of divine revelation, chosen to communicate God's profound and often terrifying truths to his fellow exiles. It grounds the prophet in his earthly reality while elevating the divine source of his message.
* **write (Hebrew, _kâthab'_):** The verb "kâthab" (H3789) signifies to grave, inscribe, or write. In this context, it is a direct command from God, emphasizing the importance of recording the specific date. This act of writing serves not merely as a historical record but as a prophetic act, solidifying the divine decree and ensuring its verifiable nature. It highlights the intentionality and precision of God's communication, making the prophecy a tangible, documented truth for the exiles to reflect upon when the news of the siege arrived.
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** The word "yôwm" (H3117) refers to a literal day or a period of time. Its emphatic repetition in "the name of the day, even of this same day... this same day" (with "ʻetsem" H6106, meaning "selfsame" or "very") underscores the precise, specific, and divinely ordained timing of the event. This triple emphasis on the exact day removes any ambiguity, highlighting God's meticulous control over history and His desire for His people to recognize His hand in the unfolding catastrophe. It signifies a moment of critical importance, a turning point in Judah's history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Son of man, write thee the name of the day, [even] of this same day:"** This clause opens with God's characteristic address to Ezekiel, immediately establishing the divine origin of the command. The instruction to "write" is a direct imperative, emphasizing the importance of documenting the precise date. The repetition and emphasis on "this same day" highlight the specific, non-negotiable nature of the timing, indicating that the event God is about to reveal is happening concurrently with the divine utterance. This ensures that when the news of the siege eventually reaches the exiles, they will recall Ezekiel's prior, divinely inspired declaration, thereby validating his prophetic authority.
* **"the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day."** This second clause reveals the momentous event that is occurring precisely as God speaks: Nebuchadnezzar's initiation of the final siege of Jerusalem. The phrase "set himself against" (Hebrew: *samak*) denotes a deliberate, firm, and determined military action, implying a full-scale, sustained assault rather than a mere skirmish. The re-emphasis of "this same day" powerfully reinforces God's omniscience and sovereignty, demonstrating that He is not merely observing but actively revealing and orchestrating the major geopolitical events that directly impact His people, even those that bring about severe judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Ezekiel 24:2 is **Repetition**, specifically of the phrase "this same day." This triple iteration ("the name of the day, even of this same day... this same day") serves to underscore the precise and immediate nature of the divine revelation. It creates a sense of urgency and undeniable certainty, impressing upon the reader and Ezekiel's audience the exact synchronicity between God's word and the unfolding historical event. This repetition functions as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting God's meticulous timing and absolute control over the actions of human rulers and the destiny of nations. Furthermore, the verse employs **Divine Command**, where God directly instructs Ezekiel to perform a specific action ("write thee the name of the day"), which establishes the prophet's role as a divine messenger and the authoritative nature of the message itself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 24:2 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth of God's active sovereignty over all human history, even over the actions of pagan kings and the most devastating events for His chosen people. It reveals a God who is not distant or passive but intimately involved in the unfolding of time, orchestrating events according to His righteous purposes. The precision of the date underscores His foreknowledge and control, affirming that judgment, when it comes, is not arbitrary but a deliberate and measured response to unrepentant sin. This divine precision serves to validate the prophet's word, ensuring that when the news of Jerusalem's fall eventually reached the exiles, they would recognize God's hand and the truthfulness of His warnings, thus fostering a deeper understanding of His justice and faithfulness to His covenant, even through severe discipline.

* [Isaiah 46:9-10](/isaiah/46-9-10 "God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "God Reveals His Plans to His Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 24:2 offers a profound anchor for faith in a world that often feels chaotic and out of control. It reminds us that God is perpetually sovereign, actively involved in the minutiae of history, and perfectly aware of every unfolding event, even before it occurs. This divine precision should instill in us a deep trust in His perfect timing and His ultimate purposes, even when circumstances seem bleak or incomprehensible. For believers today, this means we can rest in the assurance that God is working all things together for good for those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")). It also serves as a solemn reminder of the certainty of God's word, particularly His warnings against sin and His promises of judgment and salvation. Just as the exiles were called to heed Ezekiel's precise prophecy, we too are called to listen to and obey God's revealed truth, knowing that His warnings are real and His promises are sure. Living in light of God's sovereignty encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility, repentance, and faithful obedience, recognizing that our lives and the course of history are firmly held in His omnipotent hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise timing of God's revelation in Ezekiel 24:2 challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty in your own life and in current global events?**
* **What specific "warnings" or "judgments" in God's Word do you find challenging to heed, and how might the certainty demonstrated in this verse encourage a more obedient response?**
* **In what ways does the validation of Ezekiel's prophecy through historical events strengthen your trust in the reliability and truthfulness of the Bible?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so important for Ezekiel to record the exact date of the siege?**

Answer: Recording the exact date was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrated God's absolute **foreknowledge and sovereignty** over historical events, proving that He was not merely reacting to human actions but orchestrating them according to His divine plan. Secondly, it served to **validate Ezekiel's prophetic authority** to the exiles. When news of the siege's commencement eventually reached them, they would recall Ezekiel's precise, prior declaration, thereby confirming that his messages were indeed from God. This was vital for a people struggling with doubt and despair. Finally, it underscored the **certainty and inevitability of God's judgment** on Jerusalem, making the abstract warnings concrete and undeniable, preparing the exiles for the devastating news of their city's fall.

**What does the phrase "Son of man" signify in the book of Ezekiel?**

Answer: The phrase "Son of man" (Hebrew: *ben adam*) is God's consistent address to Ezekiel throughout the book, appearing over 90 times. It primarily emphasizes Ezekiel's **humanity and mortality** in contrast to the divine speaker. It highlights his role as a mortal recipient of divine revelation, a representative of mankind chosen to convey God's message to his fellow human beings. This designation underscores the vast chasm between the infinite, holy God and His finite, earthly messenger, yet it also dignifies Ezekiel's calling, as he stands as a bridge between the divine and human realms, bringing God's word to a rebellious people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 24:2, with its emphasis on divine precision, foreknowledge, and the certainty of judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God precisely orchestrated the siege of Jerusalem to fulfill His prophetic word, so too did He meticulously plan the coming of His Son, the ultimate "Son of Man" ([Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds")), into human history. The exact timing of Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection was not coincidental but divinely appointed, fulfilling scores of Old Testament prophecies (e.g., [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son When the Time Had Fully Come")). The judgment against Jerusalem foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin, which was fully borne by Christ on the cross, as He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Furthermore, the validation of Ezekiel's prophecy points to the supreme validation of Jesus' messianic claims through His resurrection, proving Him to be the Son of God with power ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). Thus, the precision of God's historical intervention in Ezekiel's day serves as a powerful testament to His unwavering faithfulness and sovereign control, ultimately culminating in the redemptive work of Christ, through whom both judgment and salvation are perfectly fulfilled.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.