And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.

EZEKIEL 21:7KJV
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Ezekiel 21:7 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 21:7 mean?

Ezekiel 21:7 describes how Ezekiel is to respond when people ask why he is sighing: he must explain that terrible news is coming, news so dreadful that everyone’s courage and strength will fail, leaving them weak and fearful. The verse emphasizes that this disaster is certain and comes by the declaration of the Lord GOD.

In this verse, God instructs Ezekiel, a prophet living among the exiles in Babylon, to visibly show distress as a sign of the coming judgment on Jerusalem. When people notice Ezekiel’s deep sighing and ask about it, he is to tell them it is because of the approaching calamity—news that will cause widespread fear and helplessness. This moment highlights the seriousness of God’s warning and the emotional impact it will have on everyone who hears it.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 21:7

  • The word “sighest” (אָנַח, 'anakh) means to groan or sigh deeply, often from grief or distress. God tells Ezekiel to express this emotion outwardly, making his message visible even before he speaks.
  • The word “tidings” (שְׁמוּעָה, shemu‘ah) refers to a report or news, especially bad news. Here, it points to the announcement of coming judgment, not just a rumor but a certainty.
  • The phrase “every heart shall melt” uses the word “melt” (מָסַס, masas), which often describes the loss of courage or inner strength. It paints a vivid picture of people’s emotional collapse in the face of disaster.
  • The phrase “all knees shall be weak as water” uses “weak” (יָלַךְ, yalak) and “water” (מַיִם, mayim), suggesting complete loss of strength and stability, as if people’s legs can no longer support them.

Why Ezekiel 21:7 matters

  • Ezekiel 21:7 clarifies that the prophet’s visible distress is not personal but a sign meant to warn others of God’s coming judgment.
  • The verse emphasizes the total impact of the coming disaster: it will affect everyone’s emotions, strength, and spirit, not just a select few.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Ezekiel of using symbolic actions to communicate God’s message, making the warning impossible to ignore.

Where else these words appear

“faint” Hebrew H3543 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 27:1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
  • 1 Samuel 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
  • Isaiah 42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

“sighest” Hebrew H584 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • Lamentations 1:4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
  • Lamentations 1:21 They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.

“melt” Hebrew H4549 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 16:21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
  • Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
  • Psalms 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

“tidings” Hebrew H8052 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
  • Jeremiah 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.