Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.

EZEKIEL 21:12KJV
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Ezekiel 21:12 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 21:12 mean?

Ezekiel 21:12 means that God tells Ezekiel to express deep grief and alarm because disaster is coming on the people and leaders of Israel, bringing terror and violence through war. Ezekiel is told to react physically and emotionally, showing how serious and painful this coming judgment will be.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Ezekiel, calling him “son of man” and commanding him to cry out and mourn. The situation is a warning of an approaching military catastrophe—likely the Babylonian invasion—that will affect everyone in Israel, from ordinary people to the highest officials. The command to “smite upon thy thigh” is a gesture of distress, underlining the intensity of the warning and the sorrow Ezekiel is to feel and show.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 21:12

  • “Cry” (זְעַק, za‘aq, H2199) and “howl” (יָלַל, yalal, H3213) are both strong words for loud, public expressions of grief or alarm. The use of both words together emphasizes just how severe and overwhelming the coming disaster is meant to be.
  • “Terrors” (מְמוֹרָה, mĕmorah, H4048) points to a sense of dread or panic, not just physical danger but deep psychological fear that will grip the people.
  • “Smite” (סָפַק, safak, H5606) “upon thy thigh” (יָרֵךְ, yarekh, H3409) refers to a traditional gesture of mourning or distress in ancient Israel, showing that Ezekiel is not just to speak but to physically demonstrate the seriousness of the message.

Why Ezekiel 21:12 matters

  • This verse clears up that the coming judgment is not just a distant threat but something deeply personal and devastating, affecting all levels of society in Israel.
  • The physical actions Ezekiel is told to perform show that God wants the warning to be unmistakable and emotionally powerful, not just words but something people can see and feel.
  • Understanding the strong language and gestures helps readers grasp the urgency and sorrow that God feels over the coming destruction, setting the tone for the rest of Ezekiel’s message in this chapter.

Where else these words appear

“terrors” Hebrew H4048 · used in 2 verses

  • Psalms 89:44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.

“smite” Hebrew H5606 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 24:10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
  • Job 34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
  • Jeremiah 31:19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

“howl” Hebrew H3213 · used in 29 verses

  • Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
  • Isaiah 52:5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
  • Jeremiah 51:8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

“thigh” Hebrew H3409 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 24:2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
  • Exodus 32:27 And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
  • Numbers 8:4 And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.