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.