en_tn_condensed/ezk/04/16.md

I am breaking the staff of bread in Jerusalem

"I will stop the supply of food to Jerusalem"

the staff of bread

"the supply of food". The supply is called a staff because some people need a staff to walk and do their work, and people need bread to live. Bread represents all kinds of food.

they will eat bread while rationing it in anxiety

"they will carefully divide their bread because they fear that there will not be enough"

while rationing it in anxiety

"while being anxious and rationing it" or "while rationing it anxiously"

rationing

giving small amounts of something of which there is not enough to many people

while rationing it in horror

"while being afraid and rationing it" or "while rationing it fearfully"