Ezekiel 24 20

Ezekiel 24:20 kjv

Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 24:20 nkjv

Then I answered them, "The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ezekiel 24:20 niv

So I said to them, "The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 24:20 esv

Then I said to them, "The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 24:20 nlt

So I said to them, "A message came to me from the LORD,

Ezekiel 24 verses

Ezekiel 24 20 Meaning

This verse signifies the definitive and irreversible judgment of God against His people. The shattering of the "potsherd" represents the complete destruction and dispersion of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, with no possibility of repair or restoration. It marks the end of their existence as a distinct entity in their land, as judgment has reached its fulfillment.

Ezekiel 24 20 Context

Ezekiel 24 vividly depicts the finality of God's judgment on Jerusalem and its people. The chapter begins with the symbol of a boiling pot, representing the unpurified corruption within Jerusalem, which cannot be cleaned by boiling. God declares that the scum will not come off, signifying that the sin has become so ingrained that only utter destruction can cleanse it. The prophet is forbidden to mourn for his wife, who represents the dearly loved but corrupted Jerusalem, symbolizing that no outward expression of grief can alter the divine sentence. This verse, Ezekiel 24:20, directly follows the powerful metaphor of the broken potsherd, explaining its devastating meaning: Jerusalem is beyond repair, and its people are utterly scattered and destroyed as a direct consequence of God's spoken word, which will not be recalled. This is happening during the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.

Ezekiel 24 20 Word Analysis

• and, And: (Hebrew: וְ, ve) A conjunction that joins clauses or sentences, here linking the action of being struck to the identity of the actors.
• behold, Behold: (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinneh) An interjection used to draw attention, emphasizing the significant statement that follows.
• unto: (Hebrew: אֶל, el) A preposition indicating direction or target.
• you, you: (Hebrew: לָכֶם, lakhem) The second person plural pronoun, directly addressing the people of Israel.
• it: (Hebrew: הִיא, hi; referring to the potter's vessel) Pronoun representing the metaphor established in the previous verse.
• shall: (Hebrew: עַל, al) A modal auxiliary verb indicating future certainty.
• be: (Hebrew: יִהְיֶה, yihyeh) Verb indicating existence or state.
• broken: (Hebrew: מְרֻצֶּצֶת, merutsetset) Derived from the root רִצֵּץ (ritzetz), meaning to crush, shatter, or break in pieces.
• as: (Hebrew: כְּ, ke) A particle of comparison.
• a: (Hebrew: כְּ, ke; indicating similarity) Article implying singularity.
• earthen: (Hebrew: חֶרֶשׂ, cheres) Refers to pottery, earthenware, a common and breakable material.
• potters: (Hebrew: יוּצַר, yutzar; passive participle of יָצַר, yatzar) Formed or made by a potter, signifying craftsmanship but also fragility.
• vessel: (Hebrew: כְּלִי, keli) An instrument, utensil, vessel.
• which: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר, asher) A relative pronoun.
• is: (Hebrew: עַל, al) State of being.
• made: (Hebrew: יֻצַּר, yutzar) Formed, shaped.
• by: (Hebrew: מִן, min; implies source) A preposition indicating origin or source.
• the: (Hebrew: הַ, ha) Definite article.
• potter: (Hebrew: יוֹצֵר, yotzer) The maker, the craftsman.
• so: (Hebrew: כֵּן, ken) Thus, so.
• that: (Hebrew: לְמַעַן, lema'an) With the purpose of.
• neither: (Hebrew: גַּם לֹא, gam lo) Nor.
• of: (Hebrew: מִן, min; signifies from) Preposition.
• his: (Hebrew: קַרְקָר, karkar; or possesive) Pertaining to the potter.
• own: (Hebrew: יָסוֹד, yisod; base, foundation, not explicitly in verse but implied context) Own.
• pieces: (Hebrew: שְׁבָרִים, shevarim) Fragments, pieces, shards.
• shall: (Hebrew: אֵין, ein) There is no.
• any: (Hebrew: שֵׁנִית, shenit; second time, again; or implicitly no further) Any.
• remains: (Hebrew: מִנֶּה, minnehu; from it, i.e., from the pieces) Remain, left.
• whereof: (Hebrew: לְתוֹךְ, letokh; into, among) Of which.
• to: (Hebrew: אֵל, el) To.
• take: (Hebrew: לָקַחַת, lakachat) To take.
• an: (Hebrew: גֶּחָל, gechal; ember, coal, possibly in later part of sentence implied purpose) An.
• hearth: (Hebrew: אֵשׁ, esh; fire, coals; implying for rekindling fire, but it's a negative "no") Hearth.
• to: (Hebrew: אֵל, el; to) To.
• support: (Hebrew: לִסְמֹךְ, lisomokh; to prop up, to support) Support.
• fire: (Hebrew: אֵשׁ, esh) Fire.
• from: (Hebrew: מִמֶּנּוּ, mimmennu) From it.
• thereon: (Hebrew: עָלָיו, alayv; upon it) Thereon.
• either: (Hebrew: אוֹ, o) Or.
• to: (Hebrew: לְ, le) To.
• take: (Hebrew: לִשְׁאוֹב, lishov; to draw, to take out) Take.
• water: (Hebrew: מַיִם, mayim) Water.
• withal: (Hebrew: מֵאוֹתוֹ, me'oto; from it) Withal.
• out of: (Hebrew: מִן, min) Out of.
• it: (Hebrew: מֵמֶּנּוּ, me'mennu; from it) It.

Groups of Words Analysis:

• "broken as a potter's earthen vessel that is broken": This reiterates and clarifies the metaphorical imagery of the previous verse. The emphasis is on the irreversible fragmentation.
• "so that there shall be no remains": This part is crucial for the finality. It emphasizes total annihilation; nothing will be left intact or usable.
• "whereof to take an ember to support fire from, or to take water withal out of it": This explains the extent of the destruction. Not only is the vessel itself broken beyond repair, but even its functional use – holding an ember for fire or water – is rendered impossible. The components are too small and scattered to be useful for any purpose, symbolizing a complete loss of the people and city's identity and capability.

Ezekiel 24 20 Bonus Section

The potter's vessel imagery is potent in the ancient Near East, symbolizing both human creation and fragility. A broken pot could not be mended to hold water or be put to any domestic use again. Ezekiel's prophecies often employ vivid metaphors to communicate God's judgment. The repeated emphasis on "no remains" underscores that this is not a disciplinary measure with immediate restoration in view, but a sentence of annihilation for this generation, leading to exile. The contrast between God's power as the ultimate Potter and the irreparable brokenness of His people highlights the consequences of their rebellion against His sovereignty and covenant. The verse also preempts any false hope of immediate escape or survival that might have been fostered by certain false prophets.

Ezekiel 24 20 Commentary

The destruction of Jerusalem is described with the stark image of an earthen vessel shattered by a potter. This isn't just about damage; it's about fragmentation so complete that no shard is useful. The city and its people are rendered useless, utterly broken. God states that no piece will be salvageable for any purpose, not even to scoop up a dying ember or to fetch a drink of water. This means there will be no survivors to carry on, no remnants to rebuild, and no usable parts left. The judgment is total and final for that particular generation and state of Jerusalem. This is a solemn declaration of God's unalterable decree against unrepented sin.