Ezekiel 24:12
Ezekiel 24:12 in Multiple Translations
It has frustrated every effort; its thick rust has not been removed, even by the fire.
She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.
She hath wearied herself with toil; yet her great rust goeth not forth out of her; her rust goeth not forth by fire.
I have made myself tired to no purpose: still all the waste which is in her has not come out, it has an evil smell.
So far it's been impossible to clean it —even fire couldn't burn out all its rust.
She hath wearied her selfe with lyes, and her great skomme went not out of her: therefore her skomme shall be consumed with fire.
[With] sorrows she hath wearied herself, And the abundance of her scum goeth not out of her, In the fire [is] her scum.
She is weary with toil; yet her great rust, rust by fire, doesn’t leave her.
She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.
Great pains have been taken, and the great rust thereof is not gone out, not even by fire.
It is as though I tried to get rid of that rust, but I was not able to do it, not even by putting that pot in a fire.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 24:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 24:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תְּאֻנִ֖ים
הֶלְאָ֑ת
וְ/לֹֽא
תֵצֵ֤א
מִמֶּ֨/נָּה֙
רַבַּ֣ת
חֶלְאָתָ֔/הּ
בְּ/אֵ֖שׁ
חֶלְאָתָֽ/הּ
תְּאֻנִ֖ים
tᵉʼun
H8383
toil
N-mp
הֶלְאָ֑ת
lâʼâh
H3811
be weary
V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תֵצֵ֤א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
מִמֶּ֨/נָּה֙
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
רַבַּ֣ת
rab
H7227
many
Adj
חֶלְאָתָ֔/הּ
chelʼâh
H2457
rust
N-fs | Suff
בְּ/אֵ֖שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Prep | N-cs
חֶלְאָתָֽ/הּ
chelʼâh
H2457
rust
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 24:12
תְּאֻנִ֖ים
tᵉʼun
H8383
"toil"
N-mp
This word means toil or naughtiness, but is also translated as 'lie' in some KJV versions. It describes hard work or troublesome behavior.
Definition: toil
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: lie. See also: Ezekiel 24:12.
הֶלְאָ֑ת
lâʼâh
H3811
"be weary"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs
Means to be or make weary, disgusted, or tired, like in Psalm 6:8 where David is weary of crying. It can also mean to be impatient or grieved.
Definition: 1) to be weary, be impatient, be grieved, be offended 1a) (Qal) to be weary, be impatient 1b) (Niphal) to be tired of something, weary oneself 1c) (Hiphil) to weary, make weary, exhaust
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: faint, grieve, lothe, (be, make) weary (selves). See also: Genesis 19:11; Isaiah 16:12; Psalms 68:10.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תֵצֵ֤א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
מִמֶּ֨/נָּה֙
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
רַבַּ֣ת
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
חֶלְאָתָ֔/הּ
chelʼâh
H2457
"rust"
N-fs | Suff
This word means rust or scum, like the kind that forms on water in Ezekiel 47:11. It can also refer to disease, highlighting the idea of corruption. This concept is seen in James 5:3.
Definition: rust, scum
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: scum. See also: Ezekiel 24:6; Ezekiel 24:11; Ezekiel 24:12.
בְּ/אֵ֖שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Prep | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
חֶלְאָתָֽ/הּ
chelʼâh
H2457
"rust"
N-fs | Suff
This word means rust or scum, like the kind that forms on water in Ezekiel 47:11. It can also refer to disease, highlighting the idea of corruption. This concept is seen in James 5:3.
Definition: rust, scum
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: scum. See also: Ezekiel 24:6; Ezekiel 24:11; Ezekiel 24:12.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 24:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 24:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 24:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:12
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 24:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:12
- Sermons on Ezekiel 24:12
Context — The Parable of the Cooking Pot
10Pile on the logs and kindle the fire; cook the meat well and mix in the spices; let the bones be burned.
11Set the empty pot on its coals until it becomes hot and its copper glows. Then its impurity will melt within; its rust will be consumed.
12It has frustrated every effort; its thick rust has not been removed, even by the fire.
13Because of the indecency of your uncleanness I tried to cleanse you, but you would not be purified from your filthiness. You will not be pure again until My wrath against you has subsided. 14I, the LORD, have spoken; the time is coming, and I will act. I will not refrain or show pity, nor will I relent. I will judge you according to your ways and deeds,’ declares the Lord GOD.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 9:5 | Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 2:13 | “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns— broken cisterns that cannot hold water. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 5:3 | O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. |
| 4 | Habakkuk 2:13 | Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain? |
| 5 | Daniel 9:13–14 | Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquities and giving attention to Your truth. Therefore the LORD has kept the calamity in store and brought it upon us. For the LORD our God is righteous in all He does; yet we have not obeyed His voice. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 51:58 | This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” |
| 7 | Jeremiah 44:16–17 | “As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you! Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster. |
| 8 | Genesis 8:21 | When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 10:14–15 | Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 24:6 | Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the city of bloodshed, to the pot now rusted, whose rust will not come off! Empty it piece by piece; cast no lots for its contents. |
Ezekiel 24:12 Summary
Ezekiel 24:12 is saying that sometimes, no matter how hard God tries to clean us up, our sins can be so stuck that they seem impossible to remove. This is like a pot that has been used for a long time and has built up a thick layer of rust that can't be removed, even with fire (as seen in Ezekiel 24:11). But God is patient and wants to help us, just like He wanted to help the Israelites (as seen in Ezekiel 24:13). We can learn from this verse that we need to be willing to let God clean us up and remove the 'rust' from our hearts, and that sometimes, this process can be painful, but it's necessary for our growth and purification (as seen in Hebrews 12:11).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the 'thick rust' in Ezekiel 24:12?
The 'thick rust' in Ezekiel 24:12 represents the stubborn and deep-seated sin that cannot be easily removed, even by the fiery trials and punishments sent by God, as seen in Ezekiel 24:11 (Ezekiel 24:11).
Why did God's efforts to purify Israel seem to fail in this verse?
According to Ezekiel 24:12, God's efforts to purify Israel were frustrated because the people's sin was so deeply ingrained, much like the rust on the copper pot, and they refused to turn back to Him, as stated in Ezekiel 24:13 (Ezekiel 24:13).
Is this verse talking about a literal pot or is it a metaphor?
The pot in Ezekiel 24:12 is likely a metaphor for the nation of Israel, which God was trying to purify and cleanse from its sins, as seen in Ezekiel 24:10-11 (Ezekiel 24:10-11), and the 'thick rust' represents the stubbornness of their hearts.
What is the main message that God is trying to convey through this verse?
The main message of Ezekiel 24:12 is that sin can be so deeply ingrained that even God's efforts to purify and cleanse may seem to fail, but ultimately, God's judgment and wrath will come upon those who refuse to repent, as seen in Ezekiel 24:14 (Ezekiel 24:14) and Jeremiah 18:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I have allowed 'thick rust' to build up, and how can I allow God to purify me?
- How do I respond to God's discipline and trials in my life, and what can I learn from Israel's example in Ezekiel 24?
- In what ways can I cooperate with God's efforts to purify and cleanse me, and what are some practical steps I can take to remove the 'rust' from my heart?
- How does this verse relate to the concept of repentance and turning back to God, as seen in other parts of the Bible, such as 2 Chronicles 7:14?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:12
She hath wearied herself with lies,.... With serving idols, which were lying vanities; by trusting to the alliances of neighbouring nations, which deceived her; or by committing sin, in which there
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 24:12
She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:12
She; the nation of the Jews, and the city Jerusalem. Hath wearied; either her God, (so the French translation,) by her repeated sins, and pertinacy in them, as elsewhere, 7:13 43:24; or wearied others, by injuries done against them; or, as we read it, herself, spent much time and taken great pains, laid out much treasure in making alliances for her security. With lies: her allies, their promises, their forces, and their idols, on which these unhappy Jews relied, all prove a lie to the house of Judah. Her great scum went not forth; she repented not, nor did she reform her ways. Her scum, her unrepented sins, shall be in the fire, shall be punished in the fire that burns their city.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:12
Ezekiel 24:12 She hath wearied [herself] with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum [shall be] in the fire.Ver. 12. She hath wearied herself with lies.] With seeking and trusting to lying vanities, creature comforts. Others render it, She hath wearied me with lies - i.e., With false promises of amendment; others, Frustra sudatum est, Pains is taken with them to no purpose. And her great scum went not forth out of her.] But is sodden into her partly, and partly sodden over into the fire. A godly man cleareth himself of sin, as spring water worketh itself clean; as the sea will endure no poisonous thing, but casteth it upon the shore; as the sweet water, made brackish by the coming in of the salt water, gets to be sweet again, so do God’ s people work out brackish and sinful dispositions, &c. The good heart admitteth not the mixture of any sin; though sin may cleave to it as dross doth to silver, yet, like right wine or honey, as the scum ariseth, still it casteth it out; so here.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:12
(6-14) These verses contain the application of the parable in two distinct parts (Ezekiel 24:6-14), but in such wise that the literal and the figurative continually run together. A new feature, that of the rust on the cauldron, is also introduced. A somewhat similar figure may be found in Isaiah 4:4, but with the difference that Ezekiel, as usual, goes much more into minute details.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 24:12
12. As the words stand they seem to read: she hath wearied my labours, and her great rust goeth not out from her; let her rust be in the fire! Previous efforts to purify Jerusalem have been in vain, her uncleanness will go out only by fire (Ezekiel 24:13); cf. Isaiah 43:24. LXX. omits first clause, which might be a duplicate of words immediately preceding.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:12
12. Wearied herself with lies — R.V., “with toil”; margin, “wearied me with toil.” Plumptre, “it [the caldron] is worn out with labors.” The meaning evidently is that all the previous efforts to cleanse Jerusalem have failed.
Sermons on Ezekiel 24:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 10:5 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the warnings given by the prophet Jeremiah to the people who had forsaken God. He draws parallels between the patterns of rebellion in |
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Broken Cisterns by Chuck Smith | This sermon emphasizes the importance of worshiping the true and living God, highlighting the dangers of seeking fulfillment in broken cisterns, which represent false beliefs and i |
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Take Heed, Lest You Fall by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the role of a prophet and the importance of listening to God's voice. The prophet in focus is described as having a fierce loyalty to God and |
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Revival Forum Interview by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the spiritual deadness of people and the role of the church in bringing them to life. He refers to a quote by John Ruskin that describes pre |
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The Folly of the World's Philosophy by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the lack of respect and disregard for God in society today, paralleling it to the people in Isaiah's time. He highlights the promotion of evol |
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Counseling God's Way Leadership Seminar - Part 3 by Bob Hoekstra | This sermon emphasizes the foundational truths for counseling found in the Scriptures, focusing on the identity of believers in Christ as new creations and the importance of renewi |
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(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 16-20 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a potter working with clay to illustrate God's dealings with mankind. The potter represents God, who has complete control over our |