I will do this that they may lack bread and water, and look at one another in dismay, and rot away because of their punishment.
The prophet eats the worst bread, mixed scraps that horses and hogs consume, to show how famine would reduce Jerusalem. Twenty shekels of bread a day, a sixth of a hin of water, just enough to keep a man alive. We must not scorn the meanest food, for we know not what hard meat we may be forced to eat before we die.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 4:9-17
That they may want bread and water,.... Or, "because they shall want" (l) &c. therefore they shall eat the one, and drink the other, by weight; or they shall do this till there shall be none to eat and drink: and be astonished one with another; when they shall find they cannot relieve one another; and not knowing what method to take for the support...
astonied one with another--mutually regard one another with astonishment: the stupefied look of despairing want. Next: Ezekiel Chapter 5