Ezekiel 4:11

KJV

Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt drink {H8354} also water {H4325} by measure {H4884}, the sixth part {H8345} of an hin {H1969}: from time {H6256} to time {H6256} shalt thou drink {H8354}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are also to drink a limited amount of water, two-thirds of a quart; you may drink it from time to time [during the day].

Berean Standard Bible

You are also to measure out a sixth of a hin of water to drink, and you are to drink it at set times.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt drink water by measure, the sixth part of a hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 4:11 details a specific, severe command from God to the prophet Ezekiel: to drink water by a precise, extremely limited measure—one-sixth of a hin—and only at designated intervals. This instruction is part of a series of symbolic actions Ezekiel was to perform, vividly portraying the dire conditions of scarcity, famine, and thirst that the inhabitants of Jerusalem would endure during the impending Babylonian siege, serving as a stark prophetic warning to the exiled Israelites.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a larger prophetic drama unfolding in [Ezekiel chapters 4 and 5](/ezekiel/4 "Ezekiel 4-5 - Symbolic Actions of Judgment"). Immediately preceding this command, God instructs Ezekiel to lie on his side for extended periods—390 days for Israel and 40 days for Judah—symbolizing the duration of their respective punishments and the burden of their iniquity ([Ezekiel 4:4-8](/ezekiel/4-4 "Ezekiel 4:4-8 - Ezekiel's Symbolic Lying")). Following the water ration, God further commands Ezekiel to prepare his meager food using human excrement as fuel, a humiliating act later softened to animal dung, to underscore the defilement and extreme scarcity of resources during the siege ([Ezekiel 4:12-15](/ezekiel/4-12 "Ezekiel 4:12-15 - Ezekiel's Defiled Bread")). The entire sequence of actions—lying, eating defiled bread, and drinking rationed water—culminates in God's explicit declaration of breaking the "staff of bread" in Jerusalem, signifying a devastating famine ([Ezekiel 4:16-17](/ezekiel/4-16 "Ezekiel 4:16-17 - The Breaking of the Staff of Bread")). Thus, Ezekiel 4:11 is a critical component of this elaborate, performative prophecy, intensifying the portrayal of suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile, specifically to the Jewish community deported to Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar's initial sieges of Jerusalem (597 BC). Those in exile often held onto false hopes of a swift return and the preservation of Jerusalem. God's commands to Ezekiel were designed to shatter these illusions by depicting the grim reality awaiting those still in the city. The "hin" was a standard liquid measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to about a gallon (approximately 3.6 to 6 liters). A "sixth part of an hin" is therefore an incredibly small daily allowance (less than a liter), far below what is necessary for survival, especially in the hot climate of the Near East. This severe rationing reflects the typical conditions of a prolonged military siege, where food and water supplies would dwindle rapidly, leading to extreme deprivation, disease, and death. Such conditions were not uncommon in ancient warfare, and the prophet's actions served as a visceral warning to a people who might otherwise dismiss the severity of God's impending judgment.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [the book of Ezekiel](/ezekiel "The Book of Ezekiel - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration"). Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment** upon Israel for their persistent idolatry and rebellion. The extreme scarcity of water and food is a direct consequence of God's righteous wrath, demonstrating that He would use even natural elements to execute His justice. This ties into the theme of **Scarcity and Deprivation**, illustrating the physical suffering that accompanies spiritual unfaithfulness. Furthermore, Ezekiel's obedience in performing these difficult and humiliating acts highlights the theme of **Prophetic Symbolism** and **Obedience**. Ezekiel himself becomes a living parable, embodying the suffering of his people and demonstrating the absolute necessity of heeding God's warnings. His personal hardship underscores the gravity of the message and the unswerving nature of God's commitment to His covenant, both in blessing and in judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **drink (Hebrew, _shâthâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to imbibe," literally or figuratively. In this context, it emphasizes the act of consuming water, but under duress. The repetition of this verb in the verse ("Thou shalt drink... shalt thou drink") underscores the forced nature of the act and the constant awareness of the meager allowance, highlighting the prophet's painful obedience and the future suffering of Jerusalem's inhabitants.
* **water (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** This dual noun, often used in a singular sense, refers to water, a fundamental necessity for life. Its presence here, coupled with the severe restriction, immediately signals a life-threatening situation. The scarcity of "water" during a siege was a primary cause of suffering and death, making its measured allowance a potent symbol of impending doom and the breaking of normal life-sustaining provisions.
* **measure (Hebrew, _mᵉsûwrâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to divide," this term denotes a specific quantity or a measured portion, particularly for liquids. The phrase "by measure" signifies a precise, controlled, and severely restricted amount, rather than free access. This word is crucial as it conveys the deliberate and exact nature of the deprivation, emphasizing that the scarcity is not accidental but a divinely ordained judgment, meticulously portioned out.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt drink also water by measure,"**: This opening clause establishes the core command. Ezekiel is not to drink water freely but under strict regulation. The phrase "by measure" immediately signals a severe restriction, indicating that this is not a normal provision but a rationed, scarce commodity. This directly foreshadows the famine and thirst that will grip Jerusalem.
* **"the sixth part of an hin:"**: This specifies the exact, minuscule quantity of water allowed. A "hin" was a standard liquid measure, and one-sixth of it (less than a liter) is an extremely inadequate daily intake for survival, especially under the physical duress of a siege. This precise numerical detail underscores the severity of the impending deprivation, making the prophecy concrete and horrifying.
* **"from time to time shalt thou drink."**: This concluding phrase emphasizes the periodic and regulated nature of the consumption. It implies that the water is not to be consumed all at once but stretched out, perhaps throughout the day, further highlighting the constant awareness of scarcity and the persistent thirst. The repetition of "shalt thou drink" reinforces the divine imperative and the unavoidable nature of this suffering for both the prophet and the besieged city.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 4:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where Ezekiel's personal deprivation of water symbolizes the extreme thirst and famine that would plague Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege. Water, essential for life, becomes a symbol of life itself being drained away. The precise, minuscule quantity (one-sixth of a hin) functions as **Hyperbole** or **Understatement** depending on perspective; it is an exaggeratedly small amount to emphasize the severity of the impending famine, yet it also understates the full horror of death by thirst. The entire act is a form of **Performative Prophecy**, where the prophet's physical actions embody and enact the future judgment, making the message visceral and undeniable. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "shalt thou drink" and "from time to time" serves to emphasize the continuous, inescapable nature of the hardship and the divine decree behind it, driving home the reality of the impending suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 4:11 powerfully illustrates the severity of God's judgment against sin, demonstrating that divine wrath can manifest as the withdrawal of basic life necessities. This act of rationing water underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His willingness to use even the elements to execute His righteous decrees. The suffering of Ezekiel, and by extension Jerusalem, serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's covenant commands carries dire consequences, leading to a breakdown of societal order and the loss of fundamental provisions. Yet, even in judgment, there is a prophetic purpose: to warn, to call to repentance, and to preserve a remnant for future restoration, highlighting God's ultimate faithfulness to His long-term plan.
* [Lamentations 4:4](/lamentations/4-4 "Lamentations 4:4 - Children Beg for Bread")
* [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - Curse of Thirst and Hunger")
* [Isaiah 3:1](/isaiah/3-1 "Isaiah 3:1 - The Staff of Bread and Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 4:11 confronts us with the stark reality of God's justice and the profound consequences of persistent rebellion against His will. It serves as a potent reminder that our physical well-being and access to basic necessities are not guaranteed but are often expressions of God's sustaining grace. When we see the breaking of the "staff of bread" or the rationing of water in Scripture, it should cause us to reflect on our own spiritual condition and our reliance on God. Do we take His provisions for granted? Are we quick to heed His warnings, whether they come through the preached Word, the circumstances of life, or the quiet conviction of the Holy Spirit? Ezekiel's unwavering obedience, even in humiliating and painful circumstances, challenges us to consider the cost of discipleship and the importance of faithfully embodying God's truth in a world that desperately needs it. This passage calls us to a deeper appreciation for God's blessings and a sober understanding of the gravity of sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the extreme scarcity depicted in this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice and judgment?**
* **In what ways might I be taking God's daily provisions for granted, and how can I cultivate a greater sense of gratitude?**
* **What "warnings" from God, whether direct or circumstantial, might I be tempted to ignore in my own life, and what might be the consequences of such neglect?**
* **How does Ezekiel's willingness to suffer for the sake of God's message inspire or convict me regarding my own obedience and witness?**

### FAQ
**What was a "hin" and how much water is "the sixth part of a hin"?**

Answer: A "hin" (Hebrew: H1969, _hîyn_) was a standard liquid measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to about 3.6 to 6 liters (or about 1 gallon). Therefore, "the sixth part of a hin" would be an extremely small amount, approximately 0.6 to 1 liter (or about 1.5 to 2.5 cups) for an entire day's consumption. This meager allowance highlights the severe deprivation and thirst that would characterize the siege of Jerusalem, as described in [Ezekiel 4:16-17](/ezekiel/4-16 "Ezekiel 4:16-17 - The Breaking of the Staff of Bread").

**Why did God command Ezekiel to perform such difficult and humiliating symbolic actions?**

Answer: God commanded Ezekiel to perform these actions (including lying on his side, eating defiled bread, and drinking rationed water) to serve as a vivid and undeniable prophetic warning to the exiled Israelites. They were living in a false sense of security, believing Jerusalem would not fall. Ezekiel's personal suffering and the grotesque nature of his actions were designed to shock them into recognizing the severity of God's impending judgment upon Jerusalem and the true consequences of their persistent sin and idolatry ([Ezekiel 5:11-12](/ezekiel/5-11 "Ezekiel 5:11-12 - God's Indignation and Punishment")). It was a powerful, visual sermon that words alone might not have conveyed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 4:11, with its grim depiction of scarcity and judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the physical deprivation of water, but in the spiritual thirst that only Jesus can quench. The severe rationing of water in Ezekiel foreshadows the spiritual famine for the Word of God that plagued Israel, a thirst that could not be satisfied by human efforts or false gods ([Amos 8:11-12](/amos/8-11 "Amos 8:11-12 - Famine for the Word of God")). Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the ultimate source of life-giving water, promising that "whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water")). While Ezekiel suffered physical thirst as a sign of judgment, Christ endured the ultimate spiritual and physical thirst on the cross, crying out, "I thirst" ([John 19:28](/john/19-28 "John 19:28 - Jesus' Thirst on the Cross")), absorbing the full measure of divine judgment for humanity's sin. Through His sacrifice, He became the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering an unending supply of spiritual refreshment and eternal life to all who believe, transforming the prophetic sign of judgment into a promise of abundant grace.

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 5:13

Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because [they have] no knowledge: and their honourable men [are] famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

Ezekiel 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:

John 3:34

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].