Bible Strands
Ezekiel 7:17
Every hand will go limp, and every knee will turn to water.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Ezekiel pronounces this judgment oracle to the exiled community, marking the moment when the impending catastrophe will physically overwhelm the nation.
The words — The verb תִּרְפֶּ֑ינָה (tir.Pei.nah) literally means "they will drop," while תֵּלַ֥כְנָה (te.Lakh.nah) means "they will go," with the phrase "turn to water" drawn directly from the separate noun מָֽיִם (Ma.yim).
The thread — The same physical collapse imagery appears in Isaiah 13:7 and Ezekiel 21:7 to signal national terror, and is later repurposed in Hebrews 12:12 to command believers to fortify their failing strength.
Why it lands — The text plainly describes the sudden loss of bodily strength as a direct consequence of divine judgment, requiring the reader to acknowledge human vulnerability before God's coming action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 21:7 And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you are to say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will go limp. Every spirit will faint, and every knee will turn to water.’ Yes, it is coming and it will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD.”
- Hebrews 12:12 Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
- Isaiah 13:7 Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.
- Jeremiah 6:24 We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.
- Ezekiel 22:14 Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will act.