Ezekiel 24:11
Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַעֲמִידֶ֥הָ
Then set
H5975
וְהַעֲמִידֶ֥הָ
Then set
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
1 of 13
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְמַ֨עַן
H4616
לְמַ֨עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תֵּחַ֜ם
of it may be hot
H3179
תֵּחַ֜ם
of it may be hot
Strong's:
H3179
Word #:
6 of 13
probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive
וְחָ֣רָה
and may burn
H2787
וְחָ֣רָה
and may burn
Strong's:
H2787
Word #:
7 of 13
to glow, i.e., literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite passion)
נְחֻשְׁתָּ֗הּ
thereof that the brass
H5178
נְחֻשְׁתָּ֗הּ
thereof that the brass
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
8 of 13
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וְנִתְּכָ֤ה
of it may be molten
H5413
וְנִתְּכָ֤ה
of it may be molten
Strong's:
H5413
Word #:
9 of 13
to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify
Cross References
Jeremiah 21:10For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.Isaiah 1:25And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:Malachi 4:1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Historical Context
The exile wasn't merely punishment but purification. Post-exilic Judaism emerged transformed: fiercely monotheistic, centered on Torah, resistant to idolatry. The exile burned away syncretism and produced a purified community. The 70 years in Babylon functioned as purging fire, accomplishing what centuries of prophetic ministry couldn't achieve.
Questions for Reflection
- How does purging fire transform rather than merely punish?
- What structural sins require more than individual repentance?
- Why does genuine transformation sometimes require complete dismantling?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn describes the next phase: after the contents are consumed, heat the empty pot until the metal itself glows red-hot. And that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed reveals the purpose: purging the pot's corruption. The pot (Jerusalem) itself needs purification, not just its contents. This speaks to institutional, structural sin requiring fire to purge. When a society becomes thoroughly corrupt, judgment must address not just individuals but systems and structures. The fire purifies the container itself.