Ezekiel 21:6

KJV

Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of [thy] loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sigh {H584} therefore, thou son {H1121} of man {H120}, with the breaking {H7670} of thy loins {H4975}; and with bitterness {H4814} sigh {H584} before their eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Therefore, human being, groan! Groan bitterly, as if your heart would break, as they watch.

Berean Standard Bible

But you, son of man, groan! Groan before their eyes with a broken heart and bitter grief.

American Standard Version

Sigh therefore, thou son of man; with the breaking of thy loins and with bitterness shalt thou sigh before their eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 21:6 delivers a poignant divine directive to the prophet Ezekiel, commanding him to perform a public and intensely agonizing sigh. This dramatic, physical manifestation of profound sorrow, described as "with the breaking of thy loins" and "with bitterness," serves as a potent prophetic sign to the people of Israel, foreshadowing the immense suffering, destruction, and national anguish that is imminent due to God's impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the "Prophecy of the Sword" in [Ezekiel 21](/ezekiel/21 "Ezekiel 21 - The Prophecy of the Sword"), where God declares His intention to bring devastating judgment upon Jerusalem and the land of Israel through the Babylonian invasion. The preceding verses, particularly [Ezekiel 21:3-5](/ezekiel/21-3-5 "Ezekiel 21:3-5 - God's Drawn Sword Against Israel"), vividly describe God's "drawn sword" against the land, emphasizing the inevitability and severity of the coming destruction. Ezekiel's commanded public lamentation in [Ezekiel 21:6](/ezekiel/21-6 "Ezekiel 21:6 - Ezekiel's Prophetic Sigh") is a direct, visceral response to this divine decree, designed to elicit inquiry from the bewildered populace, as explicitly stated in [Ezekiel 21:7](/ezekiel/21-7 "Ezekiel 21:7 - The People's Inquiry About the Sigh"). This prophetic action sets the stage for the detailed explanation of the judgment that follows, making God's message tangible and unavoidable.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during a critical period of Judah's history, specifically during the Babylonian exile (c. 597-571 BC). Many of the Jewish people, including Ezekiel, had already been deported to Babylon, while Jerusalem still stood, albeit under Babylonian vassalage. There was a prevailing false hope among the remaining inhabitants of Judah and the exiles that Jerusalem would not fall, and that God would protect His temple and city. This optimism was often fueled by false prophets who preached peace and safety. God's command to Ezekiel to perform such a public, agonizing display was intended to shatter this dangerous complacency and demonstrate the absolute certainty of Jerusalem's impending destruction and the temple's desecration, a message that was culturally shocking and deeply unsettling to a people who believed in the inviolability of their holy city.

* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 21:6](/ezekiel/21-6 "Ezekiel's Prophetic Sigh") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** and God's unwavering justice against persistent sin and rebellion, particularly idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, which are pervasive throughout [the book of Ezekiel](/ezekiel "The Book of Ezekiel"). Second, it highlights the theme of **Prophetic Action and Embodiment**, where Ezekiel is repeatedly commanded to perform symbolic acts that visually and viscerally communicate God's message, making him a living parable (e.g., [Ezekiel 4](/ezekiel/4 "Ezekiel 4 - The Siege of Jerusalem Symbolic Act")). Third, the verse emphasizes the **Profound Anguish and Suffering** that accompanies divine judgment, not only for the people but also, paradoxically, for God Himself, who grieves over the necessity of such punishment. Finally, it serves as a stark **Warning and Call to Repentance**, demonstrating that the consequences of sin are severe and unavoidable, urging the people to turn from their wicked ways before it is too late.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sigh (Hebrew, _ʼânach'_):** From H584, a primitive root meaning "to sigh." This word denotes a deep, guttural sound of grief, pain, or distress. It is not merely a light exhalation but a profound groan or lament, often involuntary, signifying overwhelming emotional or physical suffering. Ezekiel's sigh is a tangible expression of the internal anguish that will soon consume the nation.
* **Breaking (Hebrew, _shibrôwn'_):** From H7670, meaning "rupture" or "destruction," and figuratively, "a pang." This term conveys a sense of violent fragmentation or utter collapse. In the context of "loins," it indicates a complete giving way of strength, vitality, and inner fortitude, suggesting a pain so intense it shatters one's very core.
* **Bitterness (Hebrew, _mᵉrîyrûwth'_):** From H4814, meaning "bitterness," and figuratively, "grief." This word describes a deep, acrid sorrow or anguish that permeates one's entire being. It suggests a profound and pervasive sense of despair, resentment, or deep emotional pain that leaves a lasting, unpleasant taste. Ezekiel's sigh is to be saturated with this intense, internal grief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sigh therefore, thou son of man":** This is a direct, imperative command from God to Ezekiel, emphasizing the divine origin and necessity of the prophetic act. The address "son of man" underscores Ezekiel's human vulnerability as he is called to embody a suffering that transcends personal grief, becoming a living symbol of national calamity. The "therefore" links this command directly to the preceding declaration of God's drawn sword and impending judgment, indicating a logical consequence.
* **"with the breaking of [thy] loins":** This phrase describes the manner and intensity of the sigh. It signifies an overwhelming, debilitating pain, both physical and emotional, so severe that it feels as if one's very core strength and vitality are collapsing. It portrays a deep, internal anguish that leaves one utterly weakened and unable to stand firm, reflecting the complete shattering of the nation's strength, hope, and ability to resist the coming destruction.
* **"and with bitterness sigh before their eyes":** This further intensifies the nature of the sigh, specifying that it must be imbued with profound grief and sorrow. The instruction to perform this act "before their eyes" emphasizes its public, demonstrative nature. It is a visual sermon, a dramatic performance intended to capture the attention of the complacent people of Israel, forcing them to confront the reality of the impending judgment and to inquire about its meaning, thus preparing them for the subsequent divine explanation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 21:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Prophetic Action**, where Ezekiel is commanded to perform a symbolic, public act—the deep, agonizing sigh—that serves as a visual and visceral sermon. This is not merely a personal expression of emotion but a divinely ordained performance intended to embody the future suffering of the nation. The phrase "breaking of thy loins" is a vivid example of **Hyperbole** and **Idiom**, exaggerating physical pain to convey an extreme, debilitating emotional and spiritual collapse. The loins, as the seat of strength, are symbolically "broken" to represent utter despair and loss of vitality. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a form of **Symbolism**, where Ezekiel's personal anguish stands in for the collective national lamentation and destruction that is soon to befall Judah, making the abstract concept of divine judgment concrete and terrifyingly real for his audience. The repetition of "sigh" (Hebrew: _ʼânach_) also functions as **Anaphora** and **Emphasis**, underscoring the central action and its profound significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 21:6 profoundly illustrates the severity of God's judgment against unrepentant sin and the compassionate, yet resolute, nature of divine justice. The prophet's commanded anguish reflects not only the depth of the impending national suffering but also, implicitly, God's own sorrow over the necessity of bringing such calamity upon His people. This verse underscores that God's warnings are not empty threats but expressions of His righteous character and His desire for His people to turn back to Him, even when judgment is imminent. It highlights the principle that persistent rebellion against God's covenant leads to inevitable and severe consequences, demonstrating that God will ultimately uphold His holiness and justice, even if it means devastating His own chosen nation. The divine command to lament also reveals God's desire for His people to truly grasp the gravity of their situation, moving them from complacency to a posture of genuine understanding and, hopefully, repentance.

* [Jeremiah 4:19](/jeremiah/4-19 "Jeremiah 4:19 - Jeremiah's Anguish for Judah's Destruction")
* [Isaiah 15:5](/isaiah/15-5 "Isaiah 15:5 - Moab's Lamentation and Flight")
* [Lamentations 1:12](/lamentations/1-12 "Lamentations 1:12 - Jerusalem's Despair and Unparalleled Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 21:6 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of God's judgment against it. It challenges us to consider the profound sorrow that sin brings, not only to the one who commits it but also to those who witness its consequences, and ultimately, to God Himself. The prophet's anguish compels us to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion or complacency, urging us to heed God's warnings and respond with genuine repentance before the consequences become unavoidable. It also calls believers to cultivate a deep empathy for a world suffering under the weight of sin, to lament over spiritual blindness, and to participate in God's mission of warning and reconciliation, even when it involves bearing a measure of the world's pain. Just as Ezekiel's sigh was a call to attention, our lives should reflect the seriousness of God's truth and the urgency of His call to salvation, prompting us to live in a manner that honors His holiness and seeks the restoration of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to minimize the seriousness of sin in my own life or in the world around me, and what might be the consequences of such complacency?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and lament for the spiritual condition of my community or nation, mirroring Ezekiel's prophetic anguish and God's own sorrow over sin?**
* **What specific warnings from God's Word am I currently being challenged to heed, and how might my response reflect genuine repentance and a desire to align with His will?**
* **How does the concept of "bitterness" and "breaking of loins" help me understand the depth of suffering caused by persistent rebellion against God, both for the sinner and for those who witness divine judgment?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "son of man" in this verse?**

Answer: The address "son of man" (Hebrew: *bên ʼâdâm*) is God's frequent way of addressing Ezekiel throughout the book. It emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and mortality, contrasting him with the divine speaker and highlighting his role as a mere mortal delivering a divine message. In [Ezekiel 21:6](/ezekiel/21-6 "Ezekiel 21:6 - Ezekiel's Prophetic Sigh"), it underscores that Ezekiel, as a mortal human, is commanded to embody and experience the profound anguish that will soon befall his fellow human beings, making him a relatable figure through whom God's message of impending judgment is delivered. It highlights his unique role as a representative of humanity, bearing the burden of a divine message for his people.

**What does "with the breaking of thy loins" mean?**

Answer: This is a powerful Hebrew idiom indicating extreme, debilitating pain and despair. The "loins" (Hebrew: *môthen*) were considered the seat of physical strength, vitality, and inner resolve in ancient thought. Therefore, their "breaking" (Hebrew: *shibrôwn*) signifies a complete collapse of strength, a profound internal anguish that leaves one utterly weakened and unable to stand firm. It's a vivid image of overwhelming grief and the shattering of one's core being, foreshadowing the national collapse and despair that Judah would experience. This phrase is used elsewhere in scripture to denote severe distress, such as in [Isaiah 21:3](/isaiah/21-3 "Isaiah 21:3 - Anguish of the Prophet") where the prophet describes pangs like a woman in labor.

**Why did God command Ezekiel to sigh publicly?**

Answer: God commanded Ezekiel to sigh publicly as a prophetic action, a dramatic visual aid to communicate the severity and certainty of the impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. In a culture where people often learned through dramatic performances and symbolic acts, Ezekiel's intense, public lamentation was designed to capture the attention of the complacent people, provoke their inquiry ("What meanest thou by this?" - [Ezekiel 21:7](/ezekiel/21-7 "Ezekiel 21:7 - The People's Inquiry")), and then provide an opportunity for Ezekiel to deliver God's explicit message of judgment, shattering their false hopes and urging them toward repentance. It was a divine act of communication, making the abstract reality of judgment tangible and undeniable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's commanded sighing, marked by the "breaking of loins" and "bitterness," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound anguish and suffering of Jesus Christ, who bore the weight of humanity's sin and the full wrath of God's judgment. While Ezekiel's sigh foreshadowed the judgment upon a rebellious nation, Christ's suffering was a substitutionary act that averted eternal judgment for all who believe. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced an agony so intense that His sweat became like drops of blood ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")), a spiritual "breaking of loins" far exceeding Ezekiel's physical demonstration, as He wrestled with the cup of God's wrath. He became the "man of sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")), tasting the full "bitterness" of sin's consequences, not for His own rebellion, but for ours. His cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), represents the deepest sigh of separation and the ultimate bearing of the "sword" of divine justice that Ezekiel's prophecy foretold. Through Christ's voluntary suffering, the judgment due to us was absorbed, offering redemption and reconciliation instead of destruction ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). He sighed His last breath, not in despair, but in triumphant completion of the Father's will ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Last Words: 'It is finished'")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 22:4

Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.

Ezekiel 6:11

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

Nahum 2:10

She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain [is] in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

Jeremiah 19:10

¶ Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,

Isaiah 16:11

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

Ezekiel 9:4

And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Jeremiah 4:19

¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.