Ezekiel 24:6

KJV

Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum [is] therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Woe {H188} to the bloody {H1818} city {H5892}, to the pot {H5518} whose scum {H2457} is therein, and whose scum {H2457} is not gone out {H3318} of it! bring it out {H3318} piece {H5409} by piece {H5409}; let no lot {H1486} fall {H5307} upon it.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Therefore Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Woe to the city drenched with blood, to the pot whose scum is in it, and whose scum has not been removed. Empty it piece by piece, without troubling to draw lots.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the city of bloodshed, to the pot now rusted, whose rust will not come off! Empty it piece by piece; cast no lots for its contents.

American Standard Version

Wherefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the bloody city, to the caldron whose rust is therein, and whose rust is not gone out of it! take out of it piece after piece; No lot is fallen upon it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 24:6 delivers a severe divine pronouncement against Jerusalem, metaphorically portraying the city as a boiling pot whose deep-seated moral and spiritual impurities, or "scum," have become inextricably ingrained. This prophetic "woe" underscores Jerusalem's profound guilt, particularly its pervasive bloodshed and unrighteousness, signaling that its persistent unrepentance has led to an inevitable and comprehensive judgment. The command to "bring it out piece by piece" without casting lots emphasizes the utter certainty, impartiality, and thoroughness of the impending destruction, leaving no room for chance or escape from God's righteous wrath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 24 marks a critical turning point in the prophet's ministry, as it is precisely on this day that Nebuchadnezzar's final siege of Jerusalem commences (588 BC), a detail explicitly noted in [Ezekiel 24:1-2](/ezekiel/24-1-2 "Ezekiel 24:1-2 - The Siege of Jerusalem Begins"). This chapter employs two powerful parables to convey God's unwavering judgment: the boiling pot (verses 1-14) and the sudden death of Ezekiel's wife (verses 15-27). Verse 6 introduces the central metaphor of the boiling pot, symbolizing Jerusalem under siege, with its inhabitants likened to the meat within. This imagery directly challenges the false security the people previously found in the "pot" metaphor in [Ezekiel 11:3](/ezekiel/11-3 "Ezekiel 11:3 - False Security in the Pot"), where they believed the city walls protected them. Here, God reinterprets the metaphor to signify their impending doom and the thoroughness of their destruction, setting the stage for the final, devastating fall of Jerusalem, a dominant theme in the latter part of the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 24:6 was delivered at a pivotal moment in Judah's history: the very commencement of the final Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. This siege, spanning from 588 to 586 BC, culminated in the city's destruction and the second major wave of exile. In ancient Israelite culture, pots or cauldrons were essential household items, used for cooking, preparing sacrifices, and even for ritual purposes. The image of a pot boiling with "scum" would have been immediately understood by Ezekiel's audience as a vessel that was not merely superficially dirty but deeply contaminated, its impurities clinging stubbornly to its interior, resistant to ordinary cleansing. The designation "bloody city" reflects the widespread violence, injustice, and idolatry that characterized Jerusalem, particularly under kings like Manasseh, whose reign was marked by immense bloodshed and the shedding of innocent blood ([2 Kings 21:16](/2_kings/21-16 "2 Kings 21:16 - Manasseh's Bloodshed and Idolatry")). This term conveyed not only physical violence but also the spiritual bloodshed of covenant-breaking and the defilement of the land through unrighteous acts.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Impurity**, where Jerusalem's persistent sin is portrayed as an ingrained "scum" that resists all ordinary means of cleansing. This impurity encompasses idolatry, social injustice, and the shedding of innocent blood, which had defiled the city and its temple. Another prominent theme is **Jerusalem's Bloodguilt**, highlighted by the epithet "bloody city." This emphasizes the city's profound moral culpability for its accumulated violence and unrighteousness, making it ripe for divine retribution. Finally, the phrase "bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it" underscores the **Inevitability and Thoroughness of Destruction**. This signifies that God's judgment would be comprehensive and impartial; there would be no escape by chance, no selective sparing, but a complete dismantling of the city and its inhabitants, a stark consequence of their unrepentant rebellion against God's covenant. This aligns with the book's broader message of God's absolute sovereignty and His commitment to justice, even against His own chosen people when they persistently violate His commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Hebrew, _ʼôwy'_):** This interjection primarily expresses lamentation, sorrow, or grief. However, in a prophetic context, as seen here, it functions as a solemn declaration of impending judgment, calamity, and doom. It signals a divine pronouncement of severe consequences for sin and rebellion against God, setting a somber and ominous tone for the oracle against Jerusalem.
* **Bloody (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** Derived from a root meaning "blood," this term refers to the shedding of blood, signifying violence, murder, and the profound guilt associated with such acts. In the phrase "bloody city," it points to Jerusalem's pervasive history of injustice, oppression, and the shedding of innocent blood, both literally and spiritually, which had accumulated a profound moral debt before God and defiled the land. It highlights the city's deep moral corruption and culpability.
* **Scum (Hebrew, _chelʼâh'_):** This word denotes disease, rust, or filth. As applied to a cooking pot, it refers to the hardened, corrosive impurities or residue that cling stubbornly to the inside of the vessel, resistant to easy removal. Metaphorically, it powerfully conveys the deep-seated moral and spiritual decay, the accumulated sins of idolatry, injustice, and unfaithfulness that had become an intrinsic, unyielding part of Jerusalem's character, making it resistant to any superficial cleansing or repentance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city,"**: This opening declaration establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message, emphasizing that the judgment comes directly from the sovereign God, Adonai Yahweh. The immediate pronouncement of "Woe" (an oracle of doom) targets Jerusalem, explicitly labeling it the "bloody city." This indictment signifies its profound guilt due to widespread violence, injustice, and the shedding of innocent blood—both literal and spiritual—which had deeply defiled the land and its people, making it ripe for divine retribution.
* **"to the pot whose scum [is] therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it!"**: This clause introduces the central metaphor, likening Jerusalem to a cooking pot. The "scum" represents the deep-seated moral and spiritual impurities of the city—its idolatry, rebellion against God, social corruption, and unfaithfulness—which have become ingrained and resistant to removal. The repetition "whose scum is not gone out of it" powerfully underscores the stubborn persistence of this sin, indicating that previous warnings, chastisements, and opportunities for repentance had failed to purify the city.
* **"bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it."**: This command signifies the thorough, comprehensive, and inescapable nature of the impending judgment. "Bring it out piece by piece" refers to the inhabitants being removed from the city, not as a controlled, orderly evacuation, but as disjointed fragments of a shattered whole, perhaps alluding to the dismembered bodies of the slain or the scattered survivors of the siege. The crucial phrase "let no lot fall upon it" means there will be no random selection or chance for escape, no divine lottery to determine who is spared. The judgment will be comprehensive, impartial, and inevitable for all within the city, leaving no room for mercy or arbitrary deliverance for those who remain unrepentant.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 24:6 is profoundly impactful due to its rich use of **Metaphor** and **Imagery**. The city of Jerusalem is vividly depicted as a "pot" (Hebrew: *çîyr*), a common household item, which grounds the abstract concept of divine judgment in a tangible, relatable image. The "scum" (Hebrew: *chelʼâh*) within the pot serves as a potent metaphor for the deep-seated moral and spiritual corruption of Jerusalem's inhabitants—their idolatry, injustice, and bloodshed. This imagery evokes a strong sense of filth, decay, and ingrained impurity that has permeated the very fabric of the city, rendering it resistant to cleansing. The phrase "bloody city" employs **Personification**, attributing a moral characteristic (bloodguilt) to an inanimate entity (the city), underscoring its collective responsibility for the pervasive violence committed within its walls. The opening "Woe" (Hebrew: *ʼôwy*) functions as a **Woe Oracle**, a common prophetic literary form that announces impending doom and lamentation due to sin, setting a tone of severe divine condemnation. The command "bring it out piece by piece" utilizes **Synecdoche** by referring to the inhabitants as "pieces" of meat from the pot, emphasizing their dehumanization and the fragmented, dismembered nature of their destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 24:6 powerfully articulates the theological principle that God's absolute holiness demands justice, and persistent, unrepentant sin inevitably leads to severe consequences. The "scum" represents the accumulated moral and spiritual defilement of Jerusalem, highlighting that sin, when left unaddressed, becomes deeply ingrained and resistant to superficial remedies. This passage underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The judgment, though severe, is not arbitrary but a righteous response to the city's profound bloodguilt and spiritual adultery. It serves as a stark reminder that divine patience has limits, and even a chosen people are not exempt from the purifying fire of God's wrath when they persistently reject His ways and defile His name.

* [Ezekiel 11:3](/ezekiel/11-3 "Ezekiel 11:3 - The Pot as Protection (Misunderstood)")
* [Nahum 3:1](/nahum/3-1 "Nahum 3:1 - Woe to the Bloody City of Nineveh")
* [Jeremiah 13:27](/jeremiah/13-27 "Jeremiah 13:27 - Jerusalem's Abominations and Adultery")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 24:6 serves as a profound and sobering mirror for individuals and communities alike, challenging us to confront the "scum" within our own lives—those deeply ingrained sins, persistent impurities, or unaddressed injustices that hinder our spiritual vitality and defile our walk with God. The passage reminds us that God's justice is not merely an Old Testament concept but an eternal attribute, and His holiness demands a response of repentance and purity. It calls us to a radical self-examination, asking whether we, like ancient Jerusalem, have become resistant to the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit, allowing sin to accumulate and harden within our hearts. This passage compels us to recognize that true spiritual health requires a willingness to expose and confess our hidden "scum," trusting in God's grace to purify us, lest we face the inevitable consequences of unrepentant rebellion. The call to "bring it out piece by piece" without "lot" suggests that genuine purification is a thorough, intentional process, leaving nothing to chance or superficiality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "scum" or deeply ingrained impurities in my own life that I have allowed to persist, despite God's warnings or gentle nudges?**
* **How does the concept of Jerusalem's "bloodguilt" challenge me to consider my own complicity in injustice or neglect of righteousness in my community or sphere of influence?**
* **In what ways might I be relying on a false sense of security, similar to Jerusalem's initial misunderstanding of the "pot" metaphor, instead of genuinely seeking God's thorough purification?**
* **What practical steps can I take to allow God's refining fire to remove the "scum" from my heart and life, leading to genuine repentance and transformative obedience?**

### FAQ

**Why is Jerusalem called a "bloody city"?**

Answer: Jerusalem is called a "bloody city" because of the widespread violence, injustice, and idolatry that characterized its inhabitants. This refers not only to literal bloodshed from murder and oppression but also to the spiritual "bloodguilt" incurred by breaking God's covenant, shedding the "blood" of the innocent, and engaging in abominable practices like child sacrifice that deeply defiled the land. Prophets frequently condemned such actions, highlighting the city's profound moral corruption and its departure from God's righteous standards. This accusation is similar to the condemnation of other wicked cities in the Old Testament, such as Nineveh in [Nahum 3:1](/nahum/3-1 "Nahum 3:1 - Woe to the Bloody City of Nineveh").

**What does the "scum" in the pot represent?**

Answer: The "scum" (Hebrew: *chelʼâh*) represents the deep-seated moral and spiritual impurities of Jerusalem. It symbolizes the accumulated sins of the people: their idolatry, their rebellion against God, their social injustice, and their unfaithfulness to the covenant. Just as scum clings stubbornly to the inside of a pot, these sins had become an intrinsic and unyielding part of the city's character, resisting all attempts at purification through prophetic warnings or previous judgments. It signifies a profound, pervasive defilement that could not be easily removed by superficial means.

**What does "let no lot fall upon it" mean?**

Answer: The phrase "let no lot fall upon it" signifies the absolute certainty and impartiality of the coming judgment. In ancient times, lots were cast to make decisions, divide property, or determine outcomes by chance or divine will (e.g., [Joshua 18:10](/joshua/18-10 "Joshua 18:10 - Land Divided by Lot")). Here, the command means that there will be no random selection of who is spared, no chance for escape, and no arbitrary division of the spoils or survivors. The destruction of Jerusalem and its inhabitants will be comprehensive and complete, leaving no room for mercy or deliverance based on chance. It underscores the thoroughness and inevitability of God's righteous judgment against unrepentant sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 24:6, with its grim pronouncement against the "bloody city" and its "scum-filled" pot, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jerusalem's judgment highlighted the devastating consequences of unrepentant sin and the utter inability of human effort or religious ritual to truly cleanse, Christ offers the definitive solution to humanity's deep-seated impurity. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose precious blood, unlike the blood shed in Jerusalem, cleanses us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by His Blood")). The "woe" pronounced upon the "bloody city" ultimately fell upon Christ on the cross, as He bore the full weight of humanity's sin and guilt, becoming sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrifice, the "scum" of our hearts—our rebellion, injustice, and idolatry—can be purged, not by external judgment, but by the internal transformation of the Holy Spirit, who writes God's law on our hearts and purifies us from within ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")). The New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, will be free from all defilement, bloodshed, and impurity, because its foundations are built on Christ's righteousness, and only those whose names are written in the [Lamb's book of life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - No Impurity in New Jerusalem") will enter it, a stark and glorious contrast to the earthly city condemned in Ezekiel.

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

Ezekiel 22:2

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

Nahum 3:1

¶ Woe to the bloody city! it [is] all full of lies [and] robbery; the prey departeth not;

2 Kings 24:4

And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.

Ezekiel 22:27

Her princes in the midst thereof [are] like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

Obadiah 1:11

In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou [wast] as one of them.

Micah 7:2

The good [man] is perished out of the earth: and [there is] none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

Nahum 3:10

Yet [was] she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.