Ezekiel 21:7

⁵ Then all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have taken My sword from its sheath, not to return it again.’

⁶ But you, son of man, groan! Groan before their eyes with a broken heart and bitter grief.

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.”

⁸ Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

⁹ “Son of man, prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord says: ‘A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished—

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: 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.”
KJV: And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.
WEB: It shall be, when they ask you, ‘Why do you sigh?’ that you shall say, ‘Because of the news, for it comes! Every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes, and it shall be done, says the Lord GOD.’”
ASV: And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt say, Because of the tidings, for it cometh; and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and it shall be done, saith the Lord Jehovah.
DARBY: And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore dost thou sigh? that thou shalt say, Because of the tidings, for it cometh; and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall languish, and all knees shall melt into water: behold, it cometh; it is here, saith the Lord Jehovah.
BLB: And it will come to pass when they say to you, ‘For what [are] you sighing?’ That you will answer, ‘Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt, and all hands will become feeble, and every spirit will faint, and all knees will turn to water.’ Behold, it is coming, and it will come to pass! An utterance of the Lord YHWH.”

ÅB: Og når de da sier til deg: Hvorfor sukker du? - da skal du svare: Over en tidende; for den kommer, og da skal hvert hjerte smelte og alle hender synke og hver ånd bli sløv og alle knær bli som vann; se, det kommer, og det skal skje, sier Herren, Israels Gud.
OTB: Og når de spør deg: ‘Hvorfor stønner du?’ skal du si: ‘På grunn av nyhetene som kommer. Hvert hjerte skal smelte, alle hender skal bli svake, hver ånd skal svikte, og alle knær skal bli som vann. Se, det kommer, og det skal skje,’ sier den suverene Herren.”
B1930: Og når de da sier til dig: Hvorfor sukker du? - da skal du svare: Over en tidende; for den kommer, og da skal hvert hjerte smelte og alle hender synke og hver ånd bli sløv og alle knær bli som vann; se, det kommer, og det skal skje, sier Herren, Israels Gud.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ezekiel 7:17
Every hand will go limp, and every knee will turn to water.
Read in context
Jeremiah 50:43
The king of Babylon has heard the report, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.
Read in context
Isaiah 13:7
Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.
Read in context
Nahum 2:10
She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!
Read in context
Hebrews 12:12
Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
Read in context
Ezekiel 7:26
Disaster upon disaster will come, and rumor after rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but instruction from the priests will perish, as will counsel from the elders.
Read in context
Ezekiel 7:2–12
“O son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says to the land of Israel: ‘The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.
Read in context
Isaiah 7:2
When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind.
Read in context