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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 11:3 They are saying, 'Is not the time near to build houses? The city is the cooking pot, and we are the meat.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/11-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/26_Ezk_11_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 11:3 - Evil in High Places" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They are saying, 'Is not the time near to build houses? The city is the cooking pot, and we are the meat.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/11-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/11-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/11-2.htm" title="Ezekiel 11:2">◄</a> Ezekiel 11:3 <a href="/ezekiel/11-4.htm" title="Ezekiel 11:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They say, &#8216Haven&#8217t our houses been recently rebuilt? This city is a pot, and we are the meat in it.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They say to the people, ‘Is it not a good time to build houses? This city is like an iron pot. We are safe inside it like meat in a pot.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses. This city is the cauldron, and we are the meat.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are saying, ‘Is not the time near to build houses? The city is the cooking pot, and we are the meat.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Which say, <i>It is</i> not near; let us build houses: this <i>city is</i> the caldron, and we <i>be</i> the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />who say, ‘<i>The time is</i> not near to build houses; this <i>city is</i> the caldron, and we <i>are</i> the meat.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />who say, ‘<i>The time</i> is not near to build houses. This <i>city</i> is the pot and we are the meat.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />who say, &#8216Is not the time near to build houses? This city is the pot and we are the flesh.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />who say, ‘Is not <i>the time</i> near to build houses? This <i>city</i> is the pot and we are the flesh.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />who say, ‘<i>The time</i> is not near to build houses. This <i>city</i> is the pot, and we are the flesh.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />who say, ‘Is not <i>the time</i> near to build houses? This <i>city</i> is [secure just like] the pot and we are the meat [in it].’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are saying, ‘Isn’t the time near to build houses? The city is the pot, and we are the meat.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are saying, &#8216Isn&#8217t the time near to build houses? The city is the pot, and we are the meat.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />that say, The time is not near to build houses: this city is the caldron, and we are the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They say things like, 'Let's build more houses. This city is like a cooking pot over a fire, and we are the meat, but at least the pot keeps us from being burned in the fire.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />which say, The time is not near to build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They say, 'It's almost time to rebuild homes. This city is a cooking pot, and we're the meat.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They say, 'We will soon be building houses again. The city is like a cooking pot, and we are like the meat in it, but at least it protects us from the fire.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They keep saying, 'The right time to build families hasn't yet arrived. The city is the pot and we are the meat.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are saying, ?Is not the time near to build houses? The city is the cooking pot, and we are the meat.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They say, 'The time is not near to build houses; the city is a cooking pot and we are the meat in it.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />who say, 'The time is not near to build houses: this is the caldron, and we are the meat.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we are the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses. This is the cauldron, and we are the meat.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />who are saying, It [is] not near—to build houses, it [is] the pot, and we [are] the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> who are saying, It is not near -- to build houses, it is the pot, and we the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Saying, It not being near; build houses: this the pot, and we the flesh.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Saying: Were not houses lately built? This city is the caldron, and we the flesh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />saying: ‘Was it so long ago that houses were being built? This city is a cooking pot, and we are the meat.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They are saying, “No need to build houses! The city is the pot, and we are the meat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />they say, ‘The time is not near to build houses; this city is the pot, and we are the meat.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Saying, We have built houses in the midst of it; the city is the caldron, and we are the meat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they were saying: ‘Was it not within her that we built houses? She is the caldron and we are the meat!’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />that say: The time is not near to build houses! this city is the caldron, and we are the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />who say, Have not the houses been newly built? This is the caldron, and we are the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=2265" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/11.htm">Evil in High Places</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>And the LORD said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who plot evil and give wicked counsel in this city. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: hā·’ō·mə·rîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">They are saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">‘Is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7138.htm" title="7138: ḇə·qā·rō·wḇ (Prep-b:: Adj-ms) -- Near. Or qarob; from qarab; near.">the time near</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: bə·nō·wṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">to build</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bāt·tîm (N-mp) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">houses?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">The city</a> <a href="/hebrew/5518.htm" title="5518: has·sîr (Art:: N-cs) -- Or ciyrah; or cirah; from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot; also a thorn; by implication, a hook.">is the cooking pot,</a> <a href="/hebrew/587.htm" title="587: wa·’ă·naḥ·nū (Conj-w:: Pro-1cp) -- We. Apparently from 'anokiy; we.">and we</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: hab·bā·śār (Art:: N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">are the meat.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Therefore prophesy against them; prophesy, O son of man!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-28.htm">Jeremiah 29:28</a></span><br />For he has sent to us in Babylon, claiming: Since the exile will be lengthy, build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat their produce.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Isaiah 5:19</a></span><br />to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a></span><br />Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-14.htm">Jeremiah 6:14</a></span><br />They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-11.htm">Jeremiah 8:11</a></span><br />They dress the wound of the daughter of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-15.htm">Isaiah 28:15</a></span><br />For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Isaiah 30:10</a></span><br />They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-13.htm">Jeremiah 14:13-14</a></span><br />“Ah, Lord GOD!” I replied, “Look, the prophets are telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.’” / “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-17.htm">Jeremiah 23:17</a></span><br />They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Jeremiah 23:16</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-4.htm">2 Peter 3:4</a></span><br />“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-48.htm">Matthew 24:48-49</a></span><br />But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ / And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Luke 12:45</a></span><br />But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a></span><br />While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a></span><br />For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.</p><p class="hdg">It is not, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/7-7.htm">Ezekiel 7:7</a></b></br> The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble <i>is</i> near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/12-22.htm">Ezekiel 12:22,27</a></b></br> Son of man, what <i>is</i> that proverb <i>that</i> ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Isaiah 5:19</a></b></br> That say, Let him make speed, <i>and</i> hasten his work, that we may see <i>it</i>: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know <i>it</i>!</p><p class="hdg">this city</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/11-7.htm">Ezekiel 11:7-11</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they <i>are</i> the flesh, and this <i>city is</i> the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/24-3.htm">Ezekiel 24:3-14</a></b></br> And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set <i>it</i> on, and also pour water into it: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/1-13.htm">Jeremiah 1:13</a></b></br> And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof <i>is</i> toward the north.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm">Build</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm">Building</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-13.htm">Caldron</a> <a href="/job/41-20.htm">Cauldron</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-2.htm">City</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-12.htm">Cooking</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-9.htm">Cooking-Pot</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-12.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-24.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-10.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-28.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-8.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-12.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/13-5.htm">Build</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Building</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-7.htm">Caldron</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-7.htm">Cauldron</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-6.htm">City</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-20.htm">Cooking</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-7.htm">Cooking-Pot</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-7.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-41.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-7.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-7.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-47.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-22.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm">The presumption of the princes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/11-4.htm">Their sin and judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/11-13.htm">Ezekiel complaining, God shows him his purpose in saving a remnant</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/11-22.htm">The glory of God leaves the city</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/11-24.htm">Ezekiel is returned to the captivity</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They are saying,</b><br>This phrase introduces the false prophets and leaders in Jerusalem who are misleading the people. In the context of Ezekiel, these individuals are spreading deceptive messages, claiming peace and security when destruction is imminent. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament where false prophets contradict God's true messengers (<a href="/jeremiah/6-14.htm">Jeremiah 6:14</a>, <a href="/1_kings/22-13.htm">1 Kings 22:13-23</a>).<p><b>‘Is not the time near to build houses?</b><br>This rhetorical question suggests a false sense of security and prosperity. The leaders are encouraging the people to settle and build, implying that there is no immediate threat. This is in stark contrast to the warnings given by true prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who foretold the impending judgment and exile (<a href="/jeremiah/29-5.htm">Jeremiah 29:5-7</a>). The phrase also echoes the false optimism seen in other parts of scripture, where people ignore prophetic warnings (<a href="/isaiah/56-12.htm">Isaiah 56:12</a>).<p><b>The city is the cooking pot,</b><br>This metaphor suggests a sense of protection and containment. The leaders believe that Jerusalem, like a pot, will keep them safe from harm. However, God uses this imagery to convey the opposite message: the city will be a place of judgment where the people will be "cooked" or punished for their sins (<a href="/ezekiel/24-3.htm">Ezekiel 24:3-5</a>). This metaphor is a vivid illustration of the coming siege and destruction.<p><b>and we are the meat.’</b><br>In this context, the "meat" represents the people of Jerusalem who are complacent and unaware of the impending danger. The leaders' claim that they are the "meat" suggests a sense of privilege and importance, believing they are the choice parts protected within the pot. However, this is a false assurance, as God reveals that they will face judgment. This imagery is later expanded in <a href="/ezekiel/24.htm">Ezekiel 24</a>, where the boiling pot signifies the city's destruction. The phrase also serves as a reminder of the need for true repentance and reliance on God, rather than false security.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the one receiving and conveying God's messages to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_elders_of_israel.htm">The Elders of Israel</a></b><br>Leaders among the exiles who are being addressed in this passage. They are part of the group that Ezekiel is prophesying against.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city referred to as "the pot," symbolizing a place of supposed safety and security for its inhabitants.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exile.htm">The Exile</a></b><br>The context of this prophecy is during the Babylonian exile, a period of great turmoil and judgment for the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_false_prophets.htm">The False Prophets</a></b><br>Those who are misleading the people with false assurances of peace and security.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/false_security.htm">False Security</a></b><br>The Israelites believed they were safe within Jerusalem, much like meat in a pot. This false sense of security can lead to complacency and ignoring God's warnings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_against_false_prophets.htm">Discernment Against False Prophets</a></b><br>Believers must be vigilant against teachings that promise peace and prosperity without repentance and obedience to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_timing.htm">Understanding God's Timing</a></b><br>The phrase "Is not the time near to build houses?" reflects a misunderstanding of God's timing. Trusting in God's plan requires patience and faith, even when circumstances are difficult.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_hope.htm">Judgment and Hope</a></b><br>While this passage speaks of judgment, it also serves as a reminder of the hope and restoration that God promises to those who remain faithful.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_there_external_sources_on_ezekiel_11.htm">Ezekiel 11:1–3 mentions city leaders plotting “evil” against Jerusalem; are there any external historical or archaeological sources confirming such conspiracies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_micah_3_3_align_with_history.htm">In Micah 3:3, the graphic language seems hyperbolic--how can it be reconciled with historical or archeological records of Israelite practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ezekiel_24_3-14_align_with_history.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological support for the events symbolized by the boiling pot imagery (Ezekiel 24:3-14), or does it contradict known facts about Jerusalem's siege?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">It is not near; let us build houses. </span>-Neither the text nor the marginal reading of the Authorised Version quite accurately represent the original. The expression is literally <span class= "ital">not near to build houses; </span>and it is to be explained by the prophecy and narrative of Jeremiah 29. After the 10,000 (among whom was Ezekiel) had been carried captive--and apparently shortly after--Jeremiah had sent word to the captives to build houses and make themselves comfortable. because the captivity would be long (<a href="/context/ezekiel/11-5.htm" title="And the Spirit of the LORD fell on me, and said to me, Speak; Thus said the LORD; Thus have you said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.">Ezekiel 11:5-10</a>). This greatly offended the captives; and Shemaiah, a false prophet among them, had consequently sent letters to Jerusalem asking that Jeremiah might be punished for thus prophesying (<a href="/context/ezekiel/11-24.htm" title="Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.">Ezekiel 11:24-25</a>). The princes of the people now appear in Ezekiel's vision as taking up this prophecy of Jeremiah's and contradicting it: "this need of building houses for a long captivity is not near!" In <a href="/context/ezekiel/7-2.htm" title="Also, you son of man, thus said the Lord GOD to the land of Israel; An end, the end is come on the four corners of the land.">Ezekiel 7:2-3</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/7-12.htm" title="The time is come, the day draws near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is on all the multitude thereof.">Ezekiel 7:12</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/12-23.htm" title="Tell them therefore, Thus said the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say to them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.">Ezekiel 12:23</a>, Ezekiel expressly declares that it is very near. The princes further confirmed the people in their fancied security by comparing the city to a caldron, the strong walls of which should protect the flesh within it, <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>the people, from the fire of all hostile attack. In the prophecy of <a href="/ezekiel/24-6.htm" title="Why thus said the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall on it.">Ezekiel 24:6</a> this figure is taken up, and a very different application given to it; it is also turned against them immediately in <a href="/ezekiel/11-7.htm" title="Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; Your slain whom you have laid in the middle of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the middle of it.">Ezekiel 11:7</a>. In consequence of this attitude and these sayings of the princes, the prophecy of <a href="/context/ezekiel/11-5.htm" title="And the Spirit of the LORD fell on me, and said to me, Speak; Thus said the LORD; Thus have you said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.">Ezekiel 11:5-12</a> is now directed against them. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">It is not near,</span> etc. The words take their place among the popular, half-proverbial sayings of which we have other examples in <a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">Ezekiel 8:12</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/9-9.htm">Ezekiel 9:9</a>; and Ezekiel 18:2. As in most proverbs of this kind, the thought is condensed to the very verge of obscurity, and the words have received very different interpretations. <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> That suggested by the Authorized Version. "It (the judgment of which the true prophets spoke) is not near. Let us build houses, not, as Jeremiah bids (Jeremiah 39:5), in the land of exile, but here in Jerusalem, where we shall remain in safety. Are we threatened with the imagery of the 'seething pot' (<a href="/jeremiah/1-13.htm">Jeremiah 1:13</a>)? Let us remember that the caldron protects the meat in it from the fire. The walls of the city will protect us from the army of the Chaldeans." The temper which clothed itself in this language was that of the self-confident boastful security of <a href="/jeremiah/28-3.htm">Jeremiah 28:3</a>; and the death of Hananiah, the son of Azur, in that history presents a parallel to that of Pelatiah in this. <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> Grammatically, however, the rendering of the Revised Version is preferable: <span class="accented">The time is not near for building houses</span>; probably, as before, with a reference to Jeremiah's advice. "We," they seem to say, "are not come to that plaint yet. We will trust, as in (1), in our interpretation of the caldron." <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> On the whole, I incline, while adopting the Revised Version rendering, to interpret the words, as Smend takes them, as the defiant utterance of despair: "It is no time for building houses, here or elsewhere. We are doomed. We are destined (I borrow the nearest analogue of modern proverbial speech) 'to stew in our own juice.' Well, let us meet it as we best may." I find what suggests this view . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They are saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֹ֣מְרִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ō·mə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the time near</span><br /><span class="heb">בְקָר֖וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·qā·rō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7138.htm">Strong's 7138: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to build</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">houses?</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּתִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(bāt·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The city</span><br /><span class="heb">הִ֣יא</span> <span class="translit">(hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a cooking pot,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַסִּ֔יר</span> <span class="translit">(has·sîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5518.htm">Strong's 5518: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pot, a thorn, a hook</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and we</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲנַ֖חְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·naḥ·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_587.htm">Strong's 587: </a> </span><span class="str2">We</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are the meat.’</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּשָֽׂר׃</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·śār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/11-3.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 11:3 Who say The time is not near (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/11-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 11:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 11:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/11-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 11:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 11:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>