The verse emphasizes that Ezekiel's groaning isn't a personal lament but a prophetic act, meant to provoke questions. When they ask "Why are you groaning?", his answer—"Because of the news that is coming"—reveals that the news itself is the source of the impending dread that will incapacitate everyone.
And when they say to you, ‘Why do you groan?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that it is coming. Every heart will melt, and all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming, and it will be fulfilled,’” declares the Lord GOD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is acting out a prophecy, showing the intense grief and fear that will grip Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar's army approaches. When onlookers question his distressed state, he’s to explain that his groaning is a prophetic sign, an announcement of the impending, unavoidable doom that will cause widespread panic and utter despair.
Why would a prophet groan so deeply? Ezekiel's sorrow wasn't his own, but a profound reflection of God's heart. Let's uncover what fueled his grief.
Ezekiel's sighing isn't just sadness; it's a prophetic sign. God instructs him to groan, making his physical and emotional pain a visible message. This wasn't about Ezekiel's personal misery, but about delivering a divine message of impending disaster.
A Sign of Coming Judgment
The people will ask Ezekiel, "Why do you groan?" This question is key. It prompts Ezekiel to explain that his sorrow is directly linked to the "tidings"—the news he has received from God. The word translated as 'tidings' or 'report' points to an official announcement of a grave event.
God's Heart Revealed
Ezekiel's deep distress is a reflection of God's own grief over the sin and judgment coming upon His people. God doesn't delight in destruction; He declares, 'Behold, it is coming, and it will be fulfilled.' This highlights the seriousness and certainty of the impending doom, but also the sorrow with which God announces it.
Imagine a society collapsing, where strength fails and courage evaporates. Ezekiel paints a vivid picture of utter devastation. What does this intense imagery tell us about the impact of God's judgment?
The verse explodes with powerful imagery describing the complete breakdown of courage and ability in the face of the coming disaster. It's not just a military defeat; it's a societal and spiritual collapse.
Physical Manifestations of Fear
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The Certainty of Fulfillment
This isn't hyperbole; it's a stark warning. The phrase 'Behold, it is coming, and it will be fulfilled' emphasizes that this judgment is not a threat but a divine decree. Nothing can stop it. The Lord GOD declares its absolute certainty.
Understand the original words
ruach · Hebrew Noun
Referring to the vital life force, breath, or inner disposition of a person. It is the seat of human emotion and will, subject to divine influence, exhaustion, or renewal.
Adonai Yahweh · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and authority as the Ruler of all. It combines the personal covenant name of God (Yahweh) with the title for Lord/Master (Adonai), signifying His power to execute His decrees.
Ezekiel's sighing and groaning are not personal grief but prophetic signs, broadcasting the terrifying news of impending Babylonian invasion and the complete destruction of Jerusalem. The people's fear is so profound that their hearts melt, hands weaken, spirits faint, and knees buckle like water, reflecting the utter devastation to come.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Deportations
The Neo-Assyrian Empire forcibly deported large populations from conquered territories. This set a precedent for devastating exiles and instilled deep fear in the nations living under its shadow.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, leading the Babylonian Empire, conquers Judah and deports a first group of exiles, including Daniel. This marks the beginning of Judean subjugation to Babylon.
597 BC— this verse
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports another significant group of Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin. The exiles are settled in Mesopotamia.
c. 588-587 BC
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem. The city's defenses ultimately fail, leading to widespread destruction and a final, massive deportation of the remaining population.
c. 587-538 BC
Babylonian Exile
The period of the Judean exile in Babylon, during which Ezekiel delivers his prophecies. The people grapple with their spiritual and national identity far from their homeland.
This passage echoes the profound sorrow of the prophet, describing his grief not for personal reasons, but for the devastating news of judgment that is coming upon his people.
Jeremiah 30:12It illustrates the same utter despair and weakness that judgment brings, where healing is impossible and every effort to recover is in vain because of the severity of the wound inflicted.
Isaiah 13:7This prophecy describes the overwhelming fear and loss of strength that will grip people when a powerful enemy invades, causing hearts to melt and knees to tremble, mirroring the physical and emotional collapse described in Ezekiel.
Jeremiah 30:6-7This passage vividly portrays the day of the Lord's judgment as a time of unprecedented terror and weakness, where men are in agony and cannot stand, similar to the 'knees weak as water' in Ezekiel.
cambridgeEzekiel 21:7: "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."
7 . it cometh ] i.e. the overwhelming disaster. The words, “and … to pass” are wanting in LXX.
clarkeEzekiel 21:7: "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."
Wherefore sighest thou? - The prophet was a sign unto them. His sighing and mourning showed them how they should act. All knees shall be weak as water - See the…
The verse emphasizes that Ezekiel's groaning isn't a personal lament but a prophetic act, meant to provoke questions. When they ask "Why are you groaning?", his answer—"Because of the news that is coming"—reveals that the news itself is the source of the impending dread that will incapacitate everyone.
Ezekiel is acting out a prophecy, showing the intense grief and fear that will grip Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar's army approaches. When onlookers question his distressed state, he’s to explain that his groaning is a prophetic sign, an announcement of the impending, unavoidable doom that will cause widespread panic and utter despair.
Ezekiel is acting out a prophecy, showing the intense grief and fear that will grip Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar's army approaches. When onlookers question his distressed state, he’s to explain that his groaning is a prophetic sign, an announcement of the impending, unavoidable doom that will cause widespread panic and utter despair.
"And when they say to you, ‘Why do you groan?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that it is coming. Every heart will melt, and all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming, a…" — The verse emphasizes that Ezekiel's groaning isn't a personal lament but a prophetic act, meant to provoke questions. When they ask "Why are you groaning?", his answer—"Because of the news that is co…
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Last reviewed October 2026
