Ezekiel 24:18
New International Version
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.

New Living Translation
So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do.

English Standard Version
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded.

Berean Standard Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded.

King James Bible
So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

New King James Version
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded.

New American Standard Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.

NASB 1995
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.

NASB 1977
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.

Legacy Standard Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.

Amplified Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I was commanded.

Christian Standard Bible
I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded.

American Standard Version
So I spake unto the people in the morning; and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

Contemporary English Version
One morning, I was talking with the people as usual, and by sunset my wife was dead. The next day I did what the LORD had told me,

English Revised Version
So I spake unto the people in the morning; and at even my wife died: and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I was ordered.

Good News Translation
Early in the day I was talking with the people. That evening my wife died, and the next day I did as I had been told.

International Standard Version
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died that evening. The next morning, I did as I had been commanded.

Majority Standard Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded.

NET Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. In the morning I acted just as I was commanded.

New Heart English Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning; and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

Webster's Bible Translation
So I spoke to the people in the morning: and at evening my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

World English Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. So I did in the morning as I was commanded.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I speak to the people in the morning, and my wife dies in the evening, and I do in the morning as I have been commanded.

Young's Literal Translation
And I speak unto the people in the morning, and my wife dieth in the evening, and I do in the morning as I have been commanded.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall speak to the people in the morning and my wife will die in the evening and I shall do in the morning as I was commanded.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening: and I did in the morning as he had commanded me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, I spoke to the people in the morning. And my wife died in the evening. And in the morning, I did just as he had instructed me.

New American Bible
I spoke to the people in the morning. In the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.

New Revised Standard Version
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So I spoke of it to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and in the morning of the next day I did as I had been commanded.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I spoke in the morning to the people, and my wife died in the evening, and at the break of the next day I did as I was commanded
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So I spoke unto the people in the morning, and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I spoke to the people in the morning, as he commanded me in the evening, and I did in the morning as it was commanded me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezekiel's Wife Dies
17Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.” 18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded. 19Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean to us?”…

Cross References
Jeremiah 16:5-9
Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal. Do not go to mourn or show sympathy, for I have removed from this people My peace, My loving devotion, and My compassion,” declares the LORD. / “Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, nor will anyone cut himself or shave his head for them. / No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother. ...

2 Samuel 12:15-23
After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. / David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. / The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. ...

Leviticus 10:1-7
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. / Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent. ...

2 Kings 4:32-37
When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ...

Isaiah 20:2-4
the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot. / Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, / so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.

Hosea 3:1-5
Then the LORD said to me, “Go show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love to offer raisin cakes to idols.” / So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. / Then I said to her, “You must live with me for many days; you must not be promiscuous or belong to another, and I will do the same for you.” ...

Matthew 8:21-22
Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Luke 9:59-60
Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; / those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; / and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

1 Thessalonians 4:13
Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.

John 11:33-35
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept.

Acts 21:13-14
Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” / When he would not be dissuaded, we quieted down and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; / in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; / in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ...

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. / I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.


Treasury of Scripture

So I spoke to the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

and at

1 Corinthians 7:29,30
But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; …

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Commanded Death Died Dieth Evening Morning Ordered Speak Teaching Wife
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














So I spoke to the people in the morning
The phrase "spoke to the people" indicates Ezekiel's role as a prophet and messenger of God. In Hebrew, the word for "spoke" is דִּבַּר (dabar), which implies not just casual conversation but a declaration or proclamation. Ezekiel's communication with the people was not merely informative but carried the weight of divine authority. The "morning" signifies a time of new beginnings and revelations, suggesting that Ezekiel's message was intended to bring light and understanding to the people at the start of a new day.

and in the evening my wife died
The "evening" here contrasts with the morning, symbolizing the end of a day and, metaphorically, the end of life. The death of Ezekiel's wife is a poignant and personal event, serving as a sign to the people of Israel. In Hebrew culture, the evening was often a time of reflection and closure. The suddenness of her death underscores the immediacy and seriousness of God's message through Ezekiel. It also highlights the prophet's personal sacrifice and obedience to God's will, as he was not allowed to mourn in the traditional manner.

And the next morning I did as I had been commanded
Ezekiel's obedience is emphasized in this phrase. The Hebrew root צִוָּה (tsavah) for "commanded" indicates a direct order from God, underscoring the prophet's role as a faithful servant. Despite his personal loss, Ezekiel's actions demonstrate unwavering commitment to God's instructions. This obedience serves as a powerful example to the people of Israel, illustrating the importance of prioritizing God's will above personal grief. The "next morning" signifies a continuation of duty and the relentless forward movement of God's plan, even in the face of personal tragedy.

(18) In the morning: and at even.--What the prophet "spake unto the people in the morning" was what he has recorded (Ezekiel 24:3-14). Shortly after this the warning of Ezekiel 24:15-17 must have come to him, and then his Wife died in the evening of the same day. Accordingly, on the following morning the strange conduct which had been commanded him was observed by the people; their curiosity is awakened, and, rightly surmising that there must be some especial significance in the strange doings of their prophet, they come to inquire the meaning of his actions. In reply (Ezekiel 24:20-24), he announces again the destruction of the Temple, and that in the depth of sorrow and trouble at its fall there shall be no outward show of mourning.

Verse 18. - So I spake unto the people in the morning, etc. In yet another way the calling of the prophet superseded the natural impulses of the man. He knew that his wife's hours were numbered, yet the day was spent, not in ministering at her deathbed, but in one last effort to impress the teachings of the time upon the seared consciences and hardened hearts of his countrymen and neighbors. I cannot help referring to the poem 'Ezekiel,' by B.M., published in 1871, as expressing the meaning of the history better than any commentary.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So I spoke
וָאֲדַבֵּ֤ר (wā·’ă·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

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

the people
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

in the morning,
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

and in the evening
בָּעָ֑רֶב (bā·‘ā·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

my wife
אִשְׁתִּ֖י (’iš·tî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

died.
וַתָּ֥מָת (wat·tā·māṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

And the next morning
בַּבֹּ֖קֶר (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

I did
וָאַ֥עַשׂ (wā·’a·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I had been commanded.
צֻוֵּֽיתִי׃ (ṣuw·wê·ṯî)
Verb - Pual - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 24:18 So I spoke to the people (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 24:17
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