Ezekiel 4 11

Ezekiel 4:11 kjv

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

Ezekiel 4:11 nkjv

You shall also drink water by measure, one-sixth of a hin; from time to time you shall drink.

Ezekiel 4:11 niv

Also measure out a sixth of a hin of water and drink it at set times.

Ezekiel 4:11 esv

And water you shall drink by measure, the sixth part of a hin; from day to day you shall drink.

Ezekiel 4:11 nlt

Then measure out a jar of water for each day, and drink it at set times.

Ezekiel 4 verses

Ezekiel 4 11 meaning

Ezekiel 4:11 conveys a stern divine directive to the prophet Ezekiel to metaphorically consume water by strict measure: one-sixth of a hin. This water is not freely available but is to be drunk "from time to time," indicating precise rationing and scarcity. This action symbolizes the severe deprivation and distress, particularly the dire thirst, that the inhabitants of Jerusalem would endure during the impending Babylonian siege, demonstrating the precision and harshness of God's judgment against their rebellion.

Ezekiel 4 11 Context

Ezekiel 4:11 is part of a series of dramatic symbolic acts performed by the prophet Ezekiel, beginning in chapter 4. These acts were commanded by God to vividly portray the siege, suffering, and destruction awaiting Jerusalem and its inhabitants. Following his command to lie on his side for extended periods (Ezek 4:4-8) and to eat meticulously weighed and sparingly baked food (Ezek 4:9-10), this verse specifically addresses the severe rationing of water. These actions were performed before the Israelite exiles in Babylon, serving as a prophetic warning and a visual confirmation of the divine judgment, underscoring that the impending calamity was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against Yahweh, despite the contemporary false prophecies promising peace. The historical context reveals Jerusalem under Babylonian threat, eventually culminating in its destruction in 586 BC, fulfilling these symbolic pronouncements of famine, thirst, and desolation.

Ezekiel 4 11 Word analysis

• And you shall drink (וְשָׁתִיתָ֞ ve-shātîta): The imperative mood, combined with the prophet as a stand-in, indicates a divine command that must be precisely obeyed. It directly involves Ezekiel in demonstrating the impending suffering.
• water (מַ֣יִם mayim): A fundamental necessity of life. Its mention immediately brings to mind survival, or lack thereof. The scarcity of water often correlates with a state of utter desperation.
• by measure (בְּמִשְׁקָל֙ be-mishqāl): Literally "by weight." This term emphasizes extreme precision and rationing, suggesting a quantity controlled to the bare minimum for survival rather than for enjoyment or satiety. It removes any thought of freely available water, highlighting the siege conditions.
• a sixth part (שִׁשִּׁ֥ית shishshît): This numerical fraction denotes a precise and extremely small quantity. The specificity leaves no room for ambiguity about the severity of the rationing.
• of a hin (הַהִין֙ ha-hîn): The "hin" (הִין) was a standard ancient Israelite liquid measure, generally estimated around 3.6 to 6.1 liters. Thus, a sixth of a hin is approximately 0.6 to 1 liter of water per day. For an adult in the Middle East climate, especially under siege conditions, this amount is barely enough to sustain life, far from comfortable or healthy.
• you shall drink it (תִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה tishteh): Repetition of the verb "drink" emphasizes the action of consumption and ties it back to the water's specific quantity, further underscoring the scarcity and control.
• from time to time (מֵעֵת֥ אֶל־עֵ֖ת mē‘ēt ’el-‘ēt): This phrase implies a periodic or spaced-out distribution, not continuous availability. It suggests controlled access to even this meager allowance, perhaps given only at specific intervals during the day, further intensifying the psychological and physical torment of thirst. It highlights that the water is doled out rather than drawn freely.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And you shall drink water by measure, a sixth part of a hin": This entire phrase delineates the core of the instruction – the exact, measured, and highly restrictive consumption of a vital life-sustaining element. It prophetically depicts a city under siege where survival depends on minimal rations of both food and water, controlled by external forces (God's judgment via Babylonians). This reflects a profound reversal of the blessings promised for obedience (Deut 11:14-15) where water would be abundant.
• "you shall drink it from time to time": This adds another layer of suffering beyond mere quantity. It's not just that the water is scarce, but that even this scarce amount isn't freely available at will. It reinforces the image of people suffering from continuous thirst, eagerly awaiting the next regulated, insufficient portion, intensifying the agony of deprivation and demonstrating absolute control over life's essentials.

Ezekiel 4 11 Bonus section

The amount of water, roughly 0.6 to 1 liter per day, is a severe survival ration. For an individual, prolonged intake of such a small amount in a hot climate under strenuous siege conditions would lead to chronic dehydration, kidney failure, and other severe health issues, drastically reducing endurance and mental clarity. This symbolic act was therefore not merely about hunger, but a complete physiological breakdown leading to utter incapacitation, signifying a population broken and vulnerable, reflecting the dire spiritual condition of Judah. The prophet’s own discomfort in acting this out would have powerfully communicated the coming suffering to the observing exiles, creating a visceral connection between their representative and the grim reality. This prophetic sign further contrasts with the covenant blessings of abundant water for an obedient Israel (Deut 11:11-12; Jer 2:13, where Judah rejected the "fountain of living waters" for broken cisterns).

Ezekiel 4 11 Commentary

Ezekiel 4:11 functions as a stark and precise prophecy of the dire thirst and severe water rationing that Jerusalem's inhabitants would face during the Babylonian siege. This prophetic act, alongside the limited food intake, makes tangible the devastating reality of famine as a divine judgment. The exact measurement ("a sixth part of a hin") and regulated consumption ("from time to time") underscore the severity, suggesting that every drop of water would be precious, controlled, and insufficient, leading to immense suffering and psychological distress. This level of detail highlights God's absolute sovereignty, not only in allowing the judgment but in determining its precise and agonizing nature. The message is one of consequence for rebellion, depicting life under siege as a daily struggle for bare survival, devoid of comfort and replete with suffering.