Ezekiel 7:26

26 Disaster on the heels of disaster, one rumor after another. They clamor for the prophet to tell them what's up, but nobody knows anything. Priests don't have a clue; the elders don't know what to say.

Ezekiel 7:26 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 7:26

Mischief shall come upon mischief
One misfortune or calamity after another; first one unhappy event, and then another, as was Job's case. The Targum is,

``breach upon breach shall come F15:''
and rumour shall be upon rumour;
that the Chaldean army is in such a place; and then that it is in another place still nearer; and then that it is but a few miles off, and, will be here immediately: rumours of wars, as well as wars, themselves, are very distressing; see ( Matthew 24:6 ) ; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet;
apply to him for a prophecy, to know the event of things, whether and when they might expect a deliverance: but the law shall perish from the priest;
whose lips should keep knowledge, and from whose mouth the law, the doctrine and interpretation of it, might be expected; but now either there would be no priests at all; or such as were would be ignorant and unlearned, and incapable of instructing the people: and counsel from the ancients;
with whom it usually is; and which is of great service in a time of distress: this therefore adds greatly to the calamity, that there would be no prophet to tell them what should come to pass; no priest to instruct them; nor senator or wise man to give them counsel.
FOOTNOTES:

F15 So R. Sol. Urhin. Ohel Moed, fol. 96. 1.

Ezekiel 7:26 In-Context

24 I'll bring in the dregs of humanity to move into their houses. I'll put a stop to the boasting and strutting of the high-and-mighty, And see to it that there'll be nothing holy left in their holy places.
25 Catastrophe descends. They look for peace, but there's no peace to be found -
26 Disaster on the heels of disaster, one rumor after another. They clamor for the prophet to tell them what's up, but nobody knows anything. Priests don't have a clue; the elders don't know what to say.
27 The king holds his head in despair; the prince is devastated. The common people are paralyzed. Gripped by fear, they can't move. I'll deal with them where they are, judge them on their terms. They'll know that I am God.'"
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.