Moreover, he said to me, “Son of man, behold, I will break the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and they shall drink water by measure and in dismay.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed is that God doesn't just promise a lack of food; He promises to "break the staff of bread." This means He'll remove not only the physical bread but also its very sustaining power, leaving people physically present but without the strength and nourishment that bread is meant to provide. This highlights that true sustenance comes from God's blessing, which He will withhold from Jerusalem as judgment.
Moreover, he said to me, “Son of man, behold, I will break the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and they shall drink water by measure and in dismay.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God tells Ezekiel that he will shatter Jerusalem's food supply, plunging the city into a desperate famine. This means the people will ration every bite of bread and every drop of water, eating and drinking with gnawing anxiety and sheer disbelief at their dire situation. The verses that follow will further emphasize their coming suffering and ultimate consumption by their iniquity.
What does it mean for God to 'break the staff of bread'? It’s more than just a shortage of food; it’s a divine withholding of life’s very sustenance.
The phrase "break the staff of bread" is a powerful metaphor. Bread, often called the "staff of life," is what physically supports us. But Ezekiel 4:16 reveals that God, the ultimate source of all life and sustenance, can withdraw the very power that nourishes.
Beyond Scarcity
Imagine eating your daily bread with fear, or drinking water with your eyes wide in disbelief. This is the emotional landscape of judgment.
Ezekiel 4:16 paints a stark picture of the emotional toll of famine as a consequence of sin. The people aren't just hungry; they are consumed by anxiety and astonishment.
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The Weight of Worry
Understand the original words
ben ’āḏām · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title frequently used for the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and humility in contrast to the majesty of God. It highlights the vast gulf between the Creator and the created being who receives divine revelation.
leḥem · Hebrew Noun
The basic sustenance of life, frequently used metaphorically in Scripture to represent God’s provision, spiritual nourishment, and the fellowship of the covenant community. In the context of judgment, its removal signifies the withdrawal of divine blessing and physical famine.
də’āgâ · Hebrew Noun
A state of mental distress, trembling, or agitation, often resulting from fear of impending judgment or catastrophe. It reflects the internal instability of those who have lost their sense of security in God.
šimmāmôn · Hebrew Noun
A state of mental and spiritual confusion, astonishment, or horror. It is often used to describe the reaction of those who witness or experience the devastating consequences of divine judgment.
Ezekiel's prophecy of breaking the 'staff of bread' and rationing water speaks directly to the brutal reality of the siege of Jerusalem. This wasn't just symbolic; it was a foretaste of the horrific famine that would grip the city, leading to its ultimate destruction and exile.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Deportations Begin
The Assyrian Empire begins large-scale deportations of conquered populations, a tactic that becomes a model for future empires. This sets a precedent for the displacement of peoples.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Judah and deports a first wave of notable citizens, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
After a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Jerusalem's elite, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel begins his ministry to the exiles.
c. 589 BC— this verse
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem for the final time. The city is cut off from supplies, leading to severe famine and desperation within its walls.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
After a prolonged siege and widespread famine, the Babylonians breach Jerusalem's walls. The city is destroyed, the Temple is burned, and the remaining population is exiled.
This passage directly parallels the 'breaking the staff of bread' imagery, explaining that scarcity would lead to extreme rationing, where ten women would share a single oven and food would be brought back by weight, emphasizing the severe consequences of disobedience.
2 Kings 25:3This historical account vividly illustrates the reality of Ezekiel's prophecy, describing the absolute lack of bread in Jerusalem during the siege by Nebuchadnezzar, fulfilling the prediction of famine.
Psalm 105:16This psalm speaks of God bringing famine upon the land and breaking the 'staff of bread,' showing that this divine action of withholding sustenance is a recurring theme in God's judgment against His people when they stray.
Jeremiah 52:6This passage provides another historical witness to the fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy, detailing the desperate state of famine in Jerusalem during the siege, where 'the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.'
Matthew 4:4Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 here, reminding us that true sustenance comes not just from bread, but from God's word. This highlights that when God breaks the 'staff of bread,' He is not only withholding physical nourishment but also signaling a deeper spiritual famine resulting from their turning away from Him.
pooleEzekiel 4:16: "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:"
Here the Lord confirms his threat of famine by a solemn protestation that he would break the staff of bread; either take their, harvests away, and deny them bread, or withhold his blessing, the strength of bread, that it should not nourish and refresh, as Leviticus 26:26 . In J…
barnesEzekiel 4:16: "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:"
The staff of bread - Bread is so called because it is that on which the support of life mainly depends. With astonishment - With dismay and anxiety at the calamities which are befalling them.
What's easily missed is that God doesn't just promise a lack of food; He promises to "break the staff of bread." This means He'll remove not only the physical bread but also its very sustaining power, leaving people physically present but without the strength and nourishment that bread is meant to provide. This highlights that true sustenance comes from God's blessing, which He will withhold from Jerusalem as judgment.
God tells Ezekiel that he will shatter Jerusalem's food supply, plunging the city into a desperate famine. This means the people will ration every bite of bread and every drop of water, eating and drinking with gnawing anxiety and sheer disbelief at their dire situation. The verses that follow will further emphasize their coming suffering and ultimate consumption by their iniquity.
God tells Ezekiel that he will shatter Jerusalem's food supply, plunging the city into a desperate famine. This means the people will ration every bite of bread and every drop of water, eating and drinking with gnawing anxiety and sheer disbelief at their dire situation. The verses that follow will further emphasize their coming suffering and ultimate consumption by their iniquity.
"Moreover, he said to me, “Son of man, behold, I will break the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and they shall drink water by measure and in dismay." — What's easily missed is that God doesn't just promise a lack of food; He promises to "break the staff of bread." This means He'll remove not only the physical bread but also its very sustaining power…
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Last reviewed October 2026