Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.

EZEKIEL 7:26KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 7:26 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 7:26 mean?

Ezekiel 7:26 describes a time of repeated disaster and confusion, when people desperately seek guidance from prophets, priests, and elders, but find none because all sources of wisdom and instruction have vanished. The verse shows that in the coming crisis, even the usual spiritual leaders will be unable to help.

In this verse, God is speaking through Ezekiel to warn the people of Judah about the destruction coming to Jerusalem. The verse paints a picture of chaos: trouble follows trouble, rumors spread, and the people look for answers from their religious leaders. However, the law (instruction) from the priests and wise advice from the elders will be lost, leaving the people without direction or hope.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 7:26

  • "Mischief" (הָוָה, havvah) means disaster or calamity. The repetition ("mischief upon mischief") stresses the overwhelming and relentless nature of the troubles.
  • "Rumour" (שְׁמוּעָה, shemu‘ah) refers to reports or news, often of bad events or threats. The piling up of rumors adds to the sense of fear and confusion.
  • "Law" (תּוֹרָה, torah) means instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. Its disappearance from the priest means the people lose access to God's guidance.
  • "Counsel" (עֵצָה, ‘etsah) is advice or wisdom, usually from respected elders. Its loss shows that even the community’s best human wisdom will fail in this crisis.

Why Ezekiel 7:26 matters

  • Ezekiel 7:26 clears up the idea that spiritual or community leaders will always have answers; here, even they are left powerless in the face of judgment.
  • The verse emphasizes how total the coming disaster will be—social, spiritual, and practical supports all collapse at once.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing that the judgment is not just physical destruction, but also a removal of all the usual ways people find hope and direction.

Where else these words appear

“Mischief” Hebrew H1943 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 47:11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.

“rumour” 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.

“vision” Hebrew H2377 · used in 34 verses

  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • Ezekiel 12:22 Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
  • Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

“counsel” Hebrew H6098 · used in 85 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
  • Job 21:16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
  • Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;