King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 24:1 Mean?

Ezekiel 24:1 in the King James Version says “Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 24:1 · KJV


Context

1

Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2

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.

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:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month—January 15, 588 BC (per modern calculations), the exact day Nebuchadnezzar's army laid siege to Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1). The precision is prophetically significant: Ezekiel, 700 miles away in Babylon, receives the word of the LORD (דְּבַר־יְהוָה, debar-YHWH) announcing Jerusalem's doom the very day it begins.

This divine synchronicity authenticated Ezekiel's ministry to skeptical exiles who doubted Jerusalem would fall. The triple dating formula (shanah/year, chodesh/month, yom/day) marks prophetic urgency—this is the moment God's patience ends, when warning yields to judgment. Ezekiel 24:2 commands: 'Write thee the name of the day, even of this same day.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel dated oracles from King Jehoiachin's exile (597 BC), treating him as legitimate king though Zedekiah ruled in Jerusalem. The 'ninth year' means 588 BC, when Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon despite Jeremiah's warnings. The synchronized revelation proved supernatural knowledge—no courier could travel Babylon to Jerusalem in one day—vindicating Ezekiel's prophetic authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's perfect timing in announcing judgment demonstrate both sovereignty and patience?
  2. What does this precisely dated oracle teach about biblical prophecy's historical verifiability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיְהִי֩1 of 11
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְבַר2 of 11

the word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֨ה3 of 11

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלַ֜י4 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּשָּׁנָ֤ה5 of 11

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַתְּשִׁיעִית֙6 of 11

Again in the ninth

H8671

ninth

לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ7 of 11

day of the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָעֲשִׂירִ֔י8 of 11

in the tenth

H6224

tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part

בֶּעָשׂ֥וֹר9 of 11

in the tenth

H6218

ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord

לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ10 of 11

day of the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

לֵאמֹֽר׃11 of 11

came unto me saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 24:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 24:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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