Ezekiel 4:10

And thy meat which thou shalt eat [shall be] by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it.

And thy meat {H3978} which thou shalt eat {H398} shall be by weight {H4946}, twenty {H6242} shekels {H8255} a day {H3117}: from time {H6256} to time {H6256} shalt thou eat {H398} it.

Each day the food you eat must weigh only three-quarters of a pound; you may eat it from time to time [during the day].

You are to weigh out twenty shekels of food to eat each day, and you are to eat it at set times.

And thy food which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it.

Commentary

Context of Ezekiel 4:10

Ezekiel 4:10 is part of a series of dramatic, symbolic actions God commanded the prophet Ezekiel to perform before the exiled Israelites in Babylon. These acts were designed to vividly portray the impending siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. Prior to this verse, Ezekiel is instructed to lie on his side for extended periods, depicting the years of Israel's and Judah's sin, and to cook his food using unclean fuel, symbolizing the defilement and scarcity the people would face in exile (Ezekiel 4:9). This specific verse focuses on the severity of the coming famine as part of the judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Severe Famine and Scarcity: The command to eat food "by weight, twenty shekels a day" illustrates an extreme rationing of provisions. A shekel was a small unit of weight, making twenty shekels a meager amount, barely enough to sustain life. This detail underscores the dire consequences of famine that would plague Jerusalem during the siege. The phrase "from time to time shalt thou eat it" further emphasizes the careful, desperate rationing that would occur.
  • Divine Judgment: This physical hardship was not random but a direct result of God's judgment upon His people for their persistent idolatry, rebellion, and disobedience. The scarcity of food and water was a common curse for breaking the covenant (Leviticus 26:26).
  • Symbolic Prophecy: Ezekiel's personal experience of deprivation served as a living parable. His suffering was a prophetic sign, allowing the exiles to grasp the future reality of their brethren in Jerusalem. This embodied prophecy made the message of impending doom visceral and undeniable.

Linguistic Insights

The term "shekel" (Hebrew: ืฉืึถืงึถืœ, sheqel) refers to a standard unit of weight in ancient Israel, often associated with silver. In this context, it emphasizes precise measurement and extreme limitation, highlighting the severity of the famine where even the most basic sustenance would be meticulously weighed and rationed. The KJV's "meat" here refers generally to food or sustenance, not specifically animal flesh.

Practical Application and Reflection

Ezekiel 4:10 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the severity of divine judgment. While believers today are under a new covenant of grace, this passage still teaches us about the seriousness of sin and God's holiness. It can prompt reflection on:

  • The Cost of Rebellion: Sin has real and often painful consequences, both individually and corporately. This verse powerfully illustrates the physical and emotional toll that can result from persistent rebellion against God.
  • God's Faithfulness to His Word: Even in judgment, God fulfills His warnings, demonstrating His consistency and justice. His prophecies are not empty threats but certain pronouncements.
  • Gratitude for Provision: This verse highlights the preciousness of daily sustenance and encourages gratitude for God's blessings, especially in times of abundance. It reminds us of our dependence on God for daily bread and the importance of stewardship.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 26:26 (3 votes)

    [And] when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver [you] your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

  • Ezekiel 14:13 (2 votes)

    Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:

  • Ezekiel 4:16 (2 votes)

    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:

  • Ezekiel 45:12 (2 votes)

    And the shekel [shall be] twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

  • Isaiah 3:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

  • Deuteronomy 28:51 (2 votes)

    And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which [also] shall not leave thee [either] corn, wine, or oil, [or] the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.

  • Deuteronomy 28:68 (2 votes)

    And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].