Ezekiel 24:3-5 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Utter a parable unto the rebellious house Though the house of Judah has as yet paid no due regard to what thou and the rest of the prophets have uttered or done; nevertheless, still further represent to them the destruction coming upon them by a symbolical action. Set on a pot, &c. By the pot was signified Jerusalem, (under which figure it is represented, both by this prophet, Ezekiel 11:3, and by Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1:13.) and by the pieces gathered into it, the different ranks of men gathered into that city, by taking refuge within its walls, when the Chaldean army approached to besiege it. By the water and fire were signified the calamities which they were to suffer. By every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder, the wealthiest and chief of the inhabitants of the land seem to be meant, who would flee from their country houses to live in safety in Jerusalem; and by the choice bones, the bravest and strongest among the common people, or the most warlike, who would betake themselves to the city for its defence. Burn also the bones under it Not the bones of the pieces to be boiled, but of the many innocent persons to be murdered in Jerusalem, whose blood cried for vengeance, and their bones, scattered on the face of the earth, will both make and maintain this fire. Bishop Newcome renders the clause, Pile also (in the margin we read heap) the bones under it: namely, as he explains it, “the useless bones (Eze 24:10) which the coals (Eze 24:11) would consume, to show what a general destruction of the meaner sort would be caused by the Chaldeans.” And make it boil well To denote the heat or violence of the calamity, and perhaps also that the city would be set on fire and consumed.