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.

EZEKIEL 24:5KJV
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Ezekiel 24:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 24:5 mean?

Ezekiel 24:5 describes taking the best animal from the flock, burning its bones as fuel, and boiling the meat thoroughly so that even the bones cook in the pot. This verse uses the image of cooking a stew to illustrate a coming judgment, showing that nothing will be spared or left untouched.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, using a parable from God about a cooking pot. The setting is a warning of severe judgment on Jerusalem for its persistent wrongdoing. The detailed instructions about boiling and burning show that the judgment will be complete and thorough, leaving nothing hidden or protected.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 24:5

  • "Choice" (מִבְחַר, mivchar) means the best or select, emphasizing that even the most prized or valuable will not be spared in the coming judgment.
  • "Burn" (דָּלַק, dalaq) here refers to burning the bones under the pot, not just as waste but as fuel, showing that everything—even what is usually discarded—will be used up in this process.
  • "Boil" (רָתַח, rathach) and "seethe" (בָּשַׁל, bashal) both refer to cooking, but the use of both words stresses the intensity and thoroughness of the process, highlighting the completeness of the judgment.

Why Ezekiel 24:5 matters

  • The verse clears up that the judgment God is describing will not just affect the obvious wrongdoers but will reach even the "choice" or best parts of the community.
  • The image of burning bones as fuel underlines that nothing will be wasted or left out—every part will be affected, which is a strong warning.
  • Understanding this verse in its context helps the reader see how the parable fits into Ezekiel’s larger message about Jerusalem’s coming destruction and why the warning is so severe.

Where else these words appear

“burn” Hebrew H1754 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 22:18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house.
  • Isaiah 29:3 And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.

“boil” Hebrew H7570 · used in 3 verses

  • Job 30:27 My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.
  • Job 41:31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.

“choice” Hebrew H4005 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 23:6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
  • Isaiah 22:7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
  • Ezekiel 23:7 Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself.

“seethe” Hebrew H1310 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Leviticus 8:31 And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.
  • 2 Kings 4:38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.