Ezekiel 24:5

Take the choice of the flocke, and burne also the bones vnder it, and make it boyle well, and let him seethe the bones of it therein. Ezekiel 24:5 (KJV)

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 24:5 (KJV)

Context

This verse is part of a larger passage in which the prophet Ezekiel delivers a message of judgment from God concerning Jerusalem and the house of Israel. In this passage Ezekiel uses vivid, metaphorical language to illustrate the impending destruction that will befall the city and its inhabitants.

The phrase “the choice of the flock” is understood to refer metaphorically to the leading or most valued members of the community—those considered precious and valuable, like the finest sheep in a flock. The act of taking the choice of the flock therefore signifies the capture and removal of individuals from among the people of Jerusalem.

The description of burning the bones under the flock and making the meat boil well conveys total destruction and severe judgment. Burning the bones signifies the complete annihilation of the strength and support of the city, leaving nothing behind. Boiling the meat represents an intense, thorough judgment that is poured out upon the captured people. The expression “let them seethe the bones of it therein” emphasizes the severity and comprehensiveness of the punishment, indicating that no part will be left untouched.

Overall, the verse provides a stark and vivid depiction of the judgment that God pronounces against Jerusalem and its inhabitants, underscoring the thoroughness of the impending punishment. While the passage focuses on judgment, the broader context of Ezekiel’s prophecies also contains messages of hope and restoration for God’s people. God’s judgment is often intended to bring about repentance and a turning back to Him, leading eventually to restoration and reconciliation, as seen in later promises throughout the book (e.g., Ezekiel 36‑37).