Ezekiel 4:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will destroy Jerusalem's food supply, forcing the people to ration every morsel and measure every drop of water.
The Context of Ezekiel 4:16
The prophecy expands to show the siege famine that will grip Jerusalem.
What Does Ezekiel 4:16 Mean?
Breaking 'the staff of bread' means shattering the sources and security of food. Bread was the staff of life; its destruction removes the foundation of survival. The imagery of eating bread 'by weight' and drinking water 'by measure' echoes Ezekiel's own rationed existence, but now applies to the entire besieged city.
The word 'astonishment' (or care/anxiety) captures the psychological toll of siege. It is not merely hunger and thirst but the terror of scarcity, the desperation of rationing, the shame of deprivation. The people will be reduced to anxious, careful calculation of survival.
Ezekiel 4:16 in the Original Language
staff (מַטֶּה, matteh) — can mean staff, rod, or support; here it means the staff or support that sustains life, emphasizing how famine breaks the foundations of community existence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 4:16
What does Ezekiel 4:16 mean?
God will destroy Jerusalem's food supply, forcing the people to ration every morsel and measure every drop of water.
What is the context of Ezekiel 4:16?
The prophecy expands to show the siege famine that will grip Jerusalem.