Ezekiel 24:4
Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones.
Original Language Analysis
אֱסֹ֤ף
Gather
H622
אֱסֹ֤ף
Gather
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
1 of 11
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
ט֖וֹב
thereof into it even every good
H2896
ט֖וֹב
thereof into it even every good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
6 of 11
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
יָרֵ֣ךְ
the thigh
H3409
יָרֵ֣ךְ
the thigh
Strong's:
H3409
Word #:
7 of 11
the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side
וְכָתֵ֑ף
and the shoulder
H3802
וְכָתֵ֑ף
and the shoulder
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
8 of 11
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
Historical Context
After the first deportation (597 BC), Jerusalem's remaining population included many nobles, priests, and craftsmen whom Nebuchadnezzar had left to maintain the land. Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied to both groups—exiles and those remaining—with different messages. Those in Jerusalem falsely thought themselves favored, the 'good figs' remaining in the land.
Questions for Reflection
- How can apparent favor become the context for judgment?
- Why do we often misinterpret temporary prosperity as divine approval?
- What does it mean that the choicest pieces are destroyed along with the rest?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones details the pot being loaded with choice meat—the best cuts. This represents Jerusalem's population, particularly the elite who remained after the 597 BC deportation. Fill it with the choice bones indicates the city full of valuable people. The imagery begins positively—a pot of good ingredients—but will turn dark as the cooking becomes burning. What seems favorable (a full pot) becomes judgment (contents destroyed by fire). Prosperity becomes the instrument of judgment when accompanied by unrepentance.