Ezekiel 24:3

And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set [it] on, and also pour water into it:

And utter {H4911} a parable {H4912} unto the rebellious {H4805} house {H1004}, and say {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Set on {H8239} a pot {H5518}, set it on {H8239}, and also pour {H3332} water {H4325} into it:

And tell this allegory to these rebels; say that Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Put a pot on the fire; put it there, pour water in it;

Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Put the pot on the fire; put it on and pour in the water.

And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Set on the caldron, set it on, and also pour water into it:

Ezekiel 24:3 introduces a vivid and sobering parable delivered by the prophet Ezekiel to the "rebellious house" of Israel, specifically addressing the impending judgment on Jerusalem. This verse sets the stage for a powerful visual metaphor that illustrates the city's dire fate.

Context

This prophecy comes during the Babylonian exile, with Ezekiel ministering to the exiles in Babylon. Chapters 20-24 of Ezekiel focus heavily on God's judgment against Jerusalem due to its persistent idolatry and rebellion. The "rebellious house" refers to the kingdom of Judah, particularly those inhabitants still in Jerusalem who continued to defy God's commands and ignore prophetic warnings. The command to "Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it" initiates a symbolic act that directly foreshadows the brutal siege and destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, which was imminent (around 588-586 BC).

Key Themes

  • Divine Warning and Judgment: The parable is a direct and unmistakable warning from the Lord GOD (Adonai Yahweh) that His patience has run out, and severe judgment is at hand. The pot symbolizes Jerusalem, and the subsequent actions described in the parable will depict the city's inhabitants and their suffering during the siege.
  • Rebellion and Consequences: The repeated phrase "rebellious house" underscores the deep-seated disobedience and spiritual unfaithfulness of God's people. This verse highlights that their actions have direct and devastating consequences, culminating in divine retribution.
  • Symbolic Prophecy: God often used dramatic, symbolic actions and parables through His prophets to convey profound spiritual truths and future events. This pot imagery is one of Ezekiel's most striking and visceral prophecies, preparing the audience for the gruesome details of the siege and the fate of those within the city (see Ezekiel 24:6 for the continuation of this parable).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rebellious house" translates the Hebrew beit hammeri (בֵּית הַמֶּרִי), which emphasizes a consistent and deliberate turning away from God. It's not merely a single act of rebellion but a characteristic state of being. The "pot" (Hebrew: sir, סִיר) is a common cooking vessel, setting up the imagery of Jerusalem as a pot in which its inhabitants will be "cooked" or consumed by the fires of judgment. The command to "set it on" twice emphasizes the certainty and urgency of the impending action.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 24:3 serves as a timeless reminder of God's justice and the seriousness with which He views persistent rebellion against His will. While the immediate context is the historical judgment on Jerusalem, the principle remains: God communicates His warnings clearly, and deliberate disobedience eventually leads to consequences. It underscores the importance of heeding divine instruction and turning from sin. For believers today, it highlights God's sovereignty and His commitment to purity among His people, often using trials to refine or discipline. It's a call to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion and respond with repentance and obedience.

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.

  • Ezekiel 20:49

    Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

  • Ezekiel 11:3

    Which say, [It is] not near; let us build houses: this [city is] the caldron, and we [be] the flesh.

  • Ezekiel 17:2

    Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

  • Ezekiel 2:6

    ¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

  • Isaiah 1:2

    ¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

  • Ezekiel 2:3

    And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, [even] unto this very day.

  • Isaiah 30:1

    ¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

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