King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 24:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 24:6 in the King James Version says “Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 24:6 · King James Version

Context

4

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

5

Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, and make it boil well, and let them seethe the bones of it therein. burn: or, heap

6

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.

7

For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;

8

That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.

Read Ezekiel 24 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
"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." "Bloody city" (ir ha-damim, עִיר הַדָּמִים) indicts Jerusalem's violence. "Scum" (chel'ah, חֶלְאָה) represents corruption that won't depart despite heating (judgment). "Piece by piece" depicts methodical, comprehensive destruction—everyone systematically removed. "Let no lot fall" means no chance selection; all are taken—comprehensive judgment sparing none.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's "scum" (corruption) persisted despite previous warnings and partial judgments. When Babylon conquered, systematic deportation occurred—leaders first (597 BC), then general population (586 BC), finally even remaining poor (Jeremiah 52:15-16, 30). The piece-by-piece removal fulfilled the parable precisely—methodical, comprehensive exile leaving the land desolate.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does persistent scum (corruption despite judgment) illustrate hardened sinfulness?
  2. What does piece-by-piece removal teach about judgment's thoroughness?
  3. In what ways does unrepented sin eventually require comprehensive rather than partial judgment?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּה2 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר׀3 of 23

“Wherefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 23

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֹ֗ה5 of 23

“GOD”

H3069

god

אוֹי֮6 of 23

“Woe”

H188

lamentation; also interjectionally oh!

עִ֣יר7 of 23

“city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַדָּמִים֒8 of 23

“to the bloody”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

סִ֚יר9 of 23

“to the pot”

H5518

a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וְחֶ֨לְאָתָ֔הּ11 of 23

“is therein and whose scum”

H2457

properly, disease; hence, rust

בָ֔הּ12 of 23
H0
וְחֶ֨לְאָתָ֔הּ13 of 23

“is therein and whose scum”

H2457

properly, disease; hence, rust

לֹ֥א14 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הוֹצִיאָ֔הּ15 of 23

“is not gone out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמֶּ֑נָּה16 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לִנְתָחֶ֙יהָ֙17 of 23

“by piece”

H5409

a fragment

לִנְתָחֶ֙יהָ֙18 of 23

“by piece”

H5409

a fragment

הוֹצִיאָ֔הּ19 of 23

“is not gone out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לֹא20 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נָפַ֥ל21 of 23

“fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עָלֶ֖יהָ22 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גּוֹרָֽל׃23 of 23

“let no lot”

H1486

properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

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 24:6 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 24:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 22:2Nahum 3:1Ezekiel 22:27Nahum 3:10Obadiah 1:11Micah 7:2

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezekiel 24 →

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