Ezekiel 24:2
New International Version
“Son of man, record this date, this very date, because the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

New Living Translation
“Son of man, write down today’s date, because on this very day the king of Babylon is beginning his attack against Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
“Son of man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

Berean Standard Bible
“Son of man, write down today’s date, for on this very day the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem.

Berean Literal Bible
“Son of man, write down for yourself the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege against Jerusalem on this very day.

King James Bible
Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.

New King James Version
“Son of man, write down the name of the day, this very day—the king of Babylon started his siege against Jerusalem this very day.

New American Standard Bible
“Son of man, write the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

NASB 1995
“Son of man, write the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

NASB 1977
“Son of man, write the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Son of man, write the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

Amplified Bible
“Son of man, record the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

Berean Annotated Bible
“Son of man, write down today’s date, for on this very day the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) has laid siege to Jerusalem (city of peace).

Christian Standard Bible
“Son of man, write down today’s date, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Son of man, write down today’s date, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

American Standard Version
Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this selfsame day: the king of Babylon drew close unto Jerusalem this selfsame day.

Contemporary English Version
Ezekiel, son of man, write down today's date, because the king of Babylonia has just begun attacking the city of Jerusalem.

English Revised Version
Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this selfsame day: the king of Babylon drew close unto Jerusalem this selfsame day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Son of man, write down today's date. The king of Babylon has surrounded Jerusalem this very day.

Good News Translation
"Mortal man," he said, "write down today's date, because this is the day that the king of Babylonia is beginning the siege of Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
"Son of Man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem on this very day.

NET Bible
"Son of man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

New Heart English Bible
"Son of man, write the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon drew close to Jerusalem this same day.

Webster's Bible Translation
Son of man, Write for thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
“Son of man, write down today’s date, for on this very day the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem.

World English Bible
“Son of man, write the name of the day, this same day. The king of Babylon drew close to Jerusalem this same day.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Son of man, write! Write the name of the day for yourself, this very day; the king of Babylon has leaned toward Jerusalem in this very day.

Berean Literal Bible
“Son of man, write down for yourself the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege against Jerusalem on this very day.

Young's Literal Translation
'Son of man, write for thee the name of the day -- this self-same day leaned hath the king of Babylon toward Jerusalem in this self-same day --

Smith's Literal Translation
Son of man, write to thee the name of the day, this same day: the king of Babel set up against Jerusalem this same day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Son of man, write thee the name of this day, on which the king of Babylon hath set himself against Jerusalem to day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Son of man, write for yourself the name of this day, on which the king of Babylon was confirmed against Jerusalem today.

New American Bible
Son of man, write down today’s date this very day, for on this very day the king of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
Mortal, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Son of man, write down the name of this day, for on this very day the king of Babylon has set himself against Jerusalem.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Son of man, write for yourself the name of this day, this day in which the King of Babel beat upon Jerusalem
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this selfsame day; this selfsame day the king of Babylon hath invested Jerusalem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Son of man, write for thyself daily from this day, on which the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem, even from this day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Cooking Pot
1In the ninth year, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, write down today’s date, for on this very day the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem. 3Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Put the pot on the fire; put it on and pour in the water.…

Cross References
Son of man,

Ezekiel 2:1
“Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”

Ezekiel 3:1
“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.”

Ezekiel 4:1
“Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem.
write down today’s date,

Isaiah 30:8
Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.

Haggai 1:1
In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating

Zechariah 1:1
In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying:
for on this very day

Exodus 12:17
So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come.

Genesis 17:23
On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him.

Genesis 7:13
On that very day Noah entered the ark, along with his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and his wife, and the three wives of his sons—
the king of Babylon

Jeremiah 25:9
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation.

Jeremiah 27:6
So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him.

Jeremiah 32:28
Therefore this is what the LORD says: Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it.
has laid siege to Jerusalem.

Daniel 1:1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

Jeremiah 39:1
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city.

2 Kings 25:1
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it.
Jeremiah 52:4
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it.


Treasury of Scripture

Son of man, write you the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.

write

Isaiah 8:1
Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.

Isaiah 30:8,9
Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: …

Habakkuk 2:2,3
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it…

of this

2 Kings 25:1
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.

Jeremiah 39:1
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

Jeremiah 52:4
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

Jump to Previous
Attack Babylon Close Date Draws Drew Jerusalem Laid Record Selfsame Self-Same Siege Weight Write Writing
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Attack Babylon Close Date Draws Drew Jerusalem Laid Record Selfsame Self-Same Siege Weight Write Writing
Ezekiel 24
1. Under the parable of a boiling pot
6. is shown the irrevocable destruction of Jerusalem
15. By the sign of Ezekiel not mourning for the death of his wife
19. is shown the calamity of the Jews to be beyond all sorrow












Son of man
This phrase is a common title used for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a prophet. It is used over 90 times in the book of Ezekiel, highlighting the contrast between the divine message and the human messenger. The title is also significant in the New Testament, where Jesus frequently refers to Himself as the "Son of Man," indicating His role as the representative human and the fulfillment of prophecy.

write down today’s date
The instruction to record the date underscores the importance of the event being prophesied. It serves as a historical marker, emphasizing the certainty and significance of the prophecy. This act of recording is akin to a legal document, ensuring that the fulfillment of the prophecy can be verified. It reflects the precision and reliability of God's word.

for on this very day
The emphasis on "this very day" indicates the immediacy and urgency of the message. It highlights the exactness of God's timing in His plans and judgments. This specificity serves to validate Ezekiel's role as a true prophet, as the events he predicts occur precisely as he states.

the king of Babylon
This refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, the powerful ruler of the Babylonian Empire. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar is known for his military conquests and the expansion of Babylon. His role in the siege of Jerusalem is well-documented in both biblical and extra-biblical sources, confirming the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative.

has laid siege to Jerusalem
The siege of Jerusalem by Babylon began in 588 BC and culminated in the destruction of the city and the temple in 586 BC. This event was a pivotal moment in Jewish history, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile. Theologically, the siege is seen as a fulfillment of God's judgment against Judah for their persistent idolatry and disobedience, as warned by prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The destruction of Jerusalem also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and restoration themes found throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God, called to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon.

2. Son of Man
A title used by God to address Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a representative of the people.

3. King of Babylon
Refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, the ruler of Babylon, who led the siege against Jerusalem.

4. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, significant as the spiritual and political center for the Israelites, now under siege.

5. Siege of Jerusalem
A pivotal event in biblical history where Babylon besieged Jerusalem, leading to its eventual destruction and the exile of its people.
Teaching Points
The Importance of God's Timing
God's command to record the date emphasizes His sovereignty and precision in fulfilling His word. Believers are reminded to trust in God's perfect timing in their own lives.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The siege of Jerusalem serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. It calls believers to examine their own lives for areas of disobedience and to seek repentance.

God's Faithfulness in Judgment and Restoration
While the siege represents judgment, it also sets the stage for eventual restoration. This duality encourages believers to hold onto hope, knowing that God's plans include redemption.

The Role of Prophets
Ezekiel's role as a prophet highlights the importance of listening to God's messengers. Believers are encouraged to seek and heed godly counsel in their spiritual journey.

Recording and Remembering God's Works
The act of recording the date serves as a call to remember and reflect on God's works in our lives. Keeping a spiritual journal can help believers track God's faithfulness and grow in gratitude.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 24:2?

2. What is the significance of the "exact day" mentioned in Ezekiel 24:2?

3. How does Ezekiel 24:2 relate to God's judgment on Jerusalem?

4. Why does God instruct Ezekiel to "record this date" in Ezekiel 24:2?

5. How can we apply the urgency of Ezekiel 24:2 to our spiritual lives?

6. What other biblical events emphasize the importance of remembering specific dates?

7. Why does God command Ezekiel to record the exact date in Ezekiel 24:2?

8. What is the significance of the "cauldron" metaphor in Ezekiel 24:2?

9. How does Ezekiel 24:2 relate to the historical siege of Jerusalem?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 24?

11. Are there any archaeological findings that confirm the severe judgments (famine, wild beasts, sword, plague) predicted in Ezekiel 14:13–21?

12. How can the severe judgment imagery in Ezekiel 21 be reconciled with teachings elsewhere in Scripture about God’s mercy?

13. If God intended Ezekiel’s symbolic actions in Ezekiel 12:6–7 to be a warning for all, why is there no extrabiblical evidence of widespread awareness or reaction?

14. In Jeremiah 26:1–6, how do we verify historically or archaeologically that God threatened the temple’s destruction?
What Does Ezekiel 24:2 Mean
Son of man

“Son of man,” Ezekiel 24:2.

• God repeatedly calls Ezekiel “son of man” (Ezekiel 2:1; 3:17), emphasizing the prophet’s humanity in contrast to the divine voice he is relaying.

• The title keeps Ezekiel humble, reminding him—and us—that the message originates with God, not the messenger (Psalm 8:4).

• Jesus later adopts the same title for Himself (Matthew 9:6), showing how God works through human vessels while accomplishing His sovereign purposes.


write down today’s date

“Write down today’s date,” Ezekiel 24:2.

• The Lord instructs precision. This moment is not vague prophecy but a specific historical marker, echoing earlier commands to record key dates (Exodus 12:2; 17:14).

• Writing the date underscores accountability: when the siege unfolds exactly as recorded, Israel cannot claim ignorance (Jeremiah 52:4).

• It also assures us of Scripture’s reliability; God anchors spiritual truth in verifiable history (Luke 1:3–4).


for on this very day

“For on this very day,” Ezekiel 24:2.

• God reveals events as they happen, highlighting His omniscience. The prophecy becomes real-time news, not hindsight (Isaiah 46:9-10).

• This immediacy stresses urgency: judgment is no longer future but present (Ezekiel 7:2-4).

• Similar time-stamped prophecies appear when Babylon actually enters Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:1), confirming the Lord’s exact timing.


the king of Babylon

“…the king of Babylon…,” Ezekiel 24:2.

• Nebuchadnezzar is God’s chosen instrument of discipline (Jeremiah 25:9; Habakkuk 1:6).

• Though a pagan ruler, he fulfills divine purpose, showing God’s sovereignty over all nations (Daniel 2:37-38).

• For the exiles hearing Ezekiel, naming the king removes any doubt about the source of their calamity—God is directing history, even through foreign powers (Proverbs 21:1).


has laid siege to Jerusalem

“…has laid siege to Jerusalem,” Ezekiel 24:2.

• The siege began on the 10th day of the 10th month in the 9th year of King Zedekiah (2 Kings 25:1), matching Ezekiel’s date.

• Jerusalem’s walls that once symbolized safety are now instruments of confinement, fulfilling warnings given since Deuteronomy 28:52.

• The city that housed God’s temple faces ruin because its people rejected covenant faithfulness (Lamentations 2:2-9).

• The accuracy of this prophecy strengthens our confidence that every word of Scripture will be fulfilled, including promises of future restoration (Ezekiel 37:21-28).


summary

Ezekiel 24:2 captures a watershed moment: God calls His “son of man” to jot down a precise date because judgment is already unfolding. By naming Nebuchadnezzar and Jerusalem’s siege, the Lord shows His absolute control over history, his faithfulness to His Word, and His unwavering commitment to both justice and eventual redemption.

(2) Write thee the name.--It is evident that especial attention was to be called to the exact date, and a note made of it at the time. The words "has set himself against" would be more accurately rendered has fallen upon. The supposition that the reference is to some point on his march from which Nebuchadnezzar advanced to the attack upon Jerusalem, and that tidings of this were brought to the prophet in the ordinary way, is quite inconsistent with the whole verse. It is plain that the prophet means to say, with especial emphasis and distinctness, that he was informed of what was taking place at Jerusalem on the same day in which it happened.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of man,
אָדָ֗ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

write down
כְּתָב־ (kə·ṯāḇ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

today’s date,
הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

for
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

on this
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

very
עֶ֖צֶם (‘e·ṣem)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

day
הַיּ֣וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Babylon
בָּבֶל֙ (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

has laid siege
סָמַ֤ךְ (sā·maḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5564: To prop, to lean upon, take hold of

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Jerusalem.
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 24:2 Son of man write you the name (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 24:1
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