Ezekiel 21:12
Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.
Original Language Analysis
זְעַ֤ק
Cry
H2199
זְעַ֤ק
Cry
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
1 of 22
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
וְהֵילֵל֙
and howl
H3213
וְהֵילֵל֙
and howl
Strong's:
H3213
Word #:
2 of 22
to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
בֶּן
son
H1121
בֶּן
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֔ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֔ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
4 of 22
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִיא֙
H1931
הִיא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָיתָ֣ה
H1961
הָיתָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַמִּ֔י
for it shall be upon my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
for it shall be upon my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הִ֖יא
H1931
הִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
it shall be upon all the princes
H5387
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
it shall be upon all the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
חֶ֙רֶב֙
the sword
H2719
חֶ֙רֶב֙
the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
15 of 22
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
הָי֣וּ
H1961
הָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
16 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
עַמִּ֔י
for it shall be upon my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
for it shall be upon my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
18 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לָכֵ֖ן
H3651
לָכֵ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
סְפֹ֥ק
smite
H5606
סְפֹ֥ק
smite
Strong's:
H5606
Word #:
20 of 22
to clap the hands (in token of compact, derision, grief, indignation, or punishment); by implication of satisfaction, to be enough; by implication of
Cross References
Ezekiel 21:6Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.Joel 1:13Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.
Historical Context
When judgment came, both common people and nobility suffered. Princes were executed (2 Kings 25:18-21), and population decimated or exiled. Ezekiel's commanded grief models appropriate prophetic response—combining unflinching truth-telling with genuine compassion. This balance prevents both minimizing judgment (false grace) and celebrating it (lacking love). The prophet must proclaim hard truth while mourning its necessity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does commanded grief over judgment model balancing truth-telling with compassion?
- What does judgment affecting both people and princes teach about universal accountability?
- In what ways should proclaiming judgment today be accompanied by genuine grief over sin's consequences?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh." Ezekiel commanded to "cry and howl" (zaaq veheilel, זְעַק וְהֵילֵל) expresses appropriate grief over coming judgment. The sword threatens both people and princes—comprehensive judgment sparing no rank. "Smite upon thy thigh" was ancient gesture of grief and horror (Jeremiah 31:19). True prophets grieve judgment's necessity even while faithfully proclaiming it—they don't celebrate others' suffering.