Ezekiel 24 4

Ezekiel 24:4 kjv

Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones.

Ezekiel 24:4 nkjv

Gather pieces of meat in it, Every good piece, The thigh and the shoulder. Fill it with choice cuts;

Ezekiel 24:4 niv

Put into it the pieces of meat, all the choice pieces?the leg and the shoulder. Fill it with the best of these bones;

Ezekiel 24:4 esv

put in it the pieces of meat, all the good pieces, the thigh and the shoulder; fill it with choice bones.

Ezekiel 24:4 nlt

Fill it with choice pieces of meat ?
the rump and the shoulder
and all the most tender cuts.

Ezekiel 24 verses

Ezekiel 24 4 Meaning

Ezekiel 24:4 describes God's command to the prophet to "gather the pieces of meat into it, all the choice pieces, the thigh and the shoulder; fill it with the best bones." This verse is part of the parable of the boiling pot, symbolizing the impending siege and destruction of Jerusalem. The "pieces of meat" represent the inhabitants of the city, particularly the influential and strong individuals ("choice pieces," "thigh," "shoulder"), while the "best bones" signify either the strongest elements of society destined for judgment or the foundational structures of Jerusalem being consumed by God's fiery wrath. It conveys the deliberate, comprehensive nature of God's judgment, ensuring that no significant part of the city or its populace would escape the coming desolation.

Ezekiel 24 4 Context

Ezekiel 24 marks a pivotal point in the book, providing a powerful prophetic announcement regarding the start of Jerusalem's final siege by Nebuchadnezzar. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy this judgment to the exiles, tying it directly to the exact day the siege began. The parable of the boiling pot (Ezek 24:3-14) uses a relatable domestic image to convey a horrific spiritual and physical reality. The pot represents Jerusalem, the fire represents God's fierce judgment, and the "pieces of meat" and "bones" symbolize its inhabitants. The chapter immediately follows with the death of Ezekiel's wife, which serves as a profound sign of the people's impending loss and their inability to mourn, mirroring Jerusalem's destruction.

Historically, this prophecy aligns with the final siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BC) by the Babylonians, an event recorded in 2 Kings and Jeremiah. For Ezekiel's audience, already in exile, this confirmed their worst fears and underscored the severity of God's response to Judah's prolonged apostasy, idolatry, and covenant breaking. Culturally, cooking pots and the preparation of stews were commonplace, making the vivid imagery impactful for conveying God's thorough and fiery judgment upon the once-holy city. The imagery is also polemic against false hopes of safety within Jerusalem's walls, directly contradicting the people's belief that Jerusalem's walls would protect them like a pot, as mentioned in Ezekiel 11:3.

Ezekiel 24 4 Word analysis

• Gather (קַבֵּץ - qabbutz): This is a command to Ezekiel, implying divine orchestration. It signifies an intentional, decisive action by God to assemble the designated inhabitants into a concentrated place for judgment.
• pieces of meat (נְתָחִים - netaḥim): This term, in the context of the pot parable, symbolically refers to the human inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are not merely general populace but specific, vulnerable portions designated for the "stew."
• into it (אֵלֶיהָ - ʾeleihah): Refers to the boiling pot, which is Jerusalem. This signifies that the people are to be confined within the city's walls during the siege, where they will face God's judgment.
• all the choice pieces (כָּל־נֶתַח טוֹב - kol-netaḥ tov): Emphasizes comprehensive judgment, targeting not just ordinary citizens but specifically highlighting those considered valuable, strong, or prominent. It underscores that no one, regardless of status or perceived quality, will be exempt from the impending catastrophe.
• the thigh (שׁוֹק - shoq): Often symbolizes strength, mobility, and vitality in a person or animal. Here, it denotes strong individuals or groups within Jerusalem's society.
• and the shoulder (וְכָתֵף - vəkateph): Represents capability, responsibility, and carrying burdens, sometimes indicating leaders or those with authority. Together with the thigh, it encompasses the powerful and capable elements of society.
• fill it (מְלָא - məlaʾ): An imperative implying completeness and thoroughness. The pot is to be entirely filled, leaving no space, indicating a full complement of people for judgment.
• with the best bones (מִבְחַר עֲצָמוֹת - mivḥar ʿatsamot): The term mivḥar (choicest/best) is a superlative. "Bones" (ʿatsamot) represent the enduring, structural, or foundational elements. This could symbolize the strongest remaining elements of the city's population, the venerable citizens, or even the underlying structures of Jerusalem itself, implying a total consumption that leaves nothing substantial intact, or possibly the very core of their society and being subjected to divine scrutiny and destruction.

Ezekiel 24 4 Bonus section

The selection of "thigh" and "shoulder" is deliberate and powerful. These are prime cuts, typically reserved for important occasions or honored guests, symbolizing those of status and strength within Jerusalem. Their inclusion in the "stew" highlights that even the most esteemed members of society will suffer. Furthermore, the analogy serves as a vivid premonition for Ezekiel's audience, confirming the harsh reality that awaited Jerusalem, despite their distance and continued longing for their homeland. The prophecy delivered precisely on the day the siege began further cemented Ezekiel's credibility and the divine origin of his words, demonstrating God's sovereign control over historical events down to the minute detail. This graphic depiction ensured that the exiles fully grasped the complete and total nature of Jerusalem's impending devastation.

Ezekiel 24 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 24:4 functions as a chilling culinary metaphor for divine judgment. The "gathering" of "choice pieces"—the thigh and the shoulder—into the boiling pot (Jerusalem) vividly portrays the siege that will trap and consume the city's inhabitants, particularly its influential and strong figures. This act is not random but divinely orchestrated, highlighting God's direct agency in Jerusalem's demise. The command to "fill it with the best bones" further amplifies the totality and severity of the judgment; it means not just the superficial elements but the very core, structure, and foundational aspects of the city and its society will be subjected to the consuming fire of God's wrath. This is a judgment without escape, designed to purge thoroughly. The emphasis on "choice" and "best" pieces demonstrates that no status, strength, or privilege will offer protection from the inescapable decree, underscoring that the unfaithfulness of God's people demanded this complete, irreversible, and painful retribution.