Ezekiel 20 46

Ezekiel 20:46 kjv

Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

Ezekiel 20:46 nkjv

"Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest land, the South,

Ezekiel 20:46 niv

"Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest of the southland.

Ezekiel 20:46 esv

"Son of man, set your face toward the southland; preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest land in the Negeb.

Ezekiel 20:46 nlt

"Son of man, turn and face the south and speak out against it; prophesy against the brushlands of the Negev.

Ezekiel 20 verses

Ezekiel 20 46 Meaning

Ezekiel 20:46 presents a specific divine directive to the prophet Ezekiel. He is commanded to turn his gaze and direct his prophetic message toward the south, specifically targeting the Negeb, which is poetically described as "the forest of the South." This command signifies a pronounced judgment and a forceful declaration against the southern kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital, indicating impending divine wrath and destruction. The "forest" metaphor powerfully symbolizes a dense population, perceived strength, or even the established religious and social order, all marked for consuming judgment.

Ezekiel 20 46 Context

Ezekiel chapter 20 is a pivotal section within the prophet's writings. It records a significant encounter between Ezekiel and the elders of Israel who came to inquire of the Lord. The chapter chronicles Yahweh's recounting of Israel's prolonged history of rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness from their time in Egypt through the wilderness wanderings, up to the present day in exile. Despite their consistent defection, God reiterates His covenant faithfulness and commitment to His holy name. The Lord vows both to judge their iniquities severely and, paradoxically, to ultimately restore them for the sake of His name.

Verse 46 marks a shift. After addressing the historical rebellion and general judgment, this verse introduces a new prophetic vision and command, which directly precedes a prophecy of consuming fire in Ezekiel 20:47-49. This fire imagery serves as a bridge to the subsequent chapter, Ezekiel 21, which details the "Sword of the Lord" directed specifically against Jerusalem and the land of Israel. Historically, Judah (the southern kingdom) and Jerusalem were the final bastion of the covenant people after the northern kingdom's fall. The prophecy in verse 46, targeting the "south" and "Negeb," points squarely at the last remnant of the Davidic line and the central city, signifying the final, imminent judgment upon the stubborn nation before their ultimate restoration.

Ezekiel 20 46 Word analysis

• Son of man (בֶן־אָדָם - ben-adam): This is God's frequent mode of addressing Ezekiel, occurring over ninety times in the book. It serves as a reminder of Ezekiel's humanity and frailty in contrast to the divine source and power of the message he conveys. It underscores that the message is not of human origin but a direct divine revelation given to a mortal agent.

• set your face (שִׂים פָּנֶיךָ - sîm pâneyḵā): This phrase indicates a resolute, unswerving focus and determination. In prophetic context (as seen frequently in Ezekiel, e.g., 6:2, 13:17, 21:2), it implies directing a specific, unalterable message, often one of judgment, against the designated target. It’s an act of solemn commitment.

• toward the south (דָּרוֹם - dārôm): Refers to the geographical direction. For Ezekiel, located in Babylonia by the Chebar Canal, "south" pointed toward his homeland, particularly the kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem, which still existed at this point in the prophecies (though facing imminent destruction). It signifies the target audience of this particular prophecy.

• preach against the south (דְרוֹם - dārôm): The verb nataf (נָטַף) literally means "to drip" or "to distill," often used metaphorically for a prophetic utterance "dropping" like rain or moisture, emphasizing the gentle or sometimes intense impartation of a message. Here, with the preposition "against," it signifies a prophecy opposed to or judging the south.

• prophesy against the forest of the South (יַעַר הַדָּרוֹם - yaʿar haddārôm):

  • prophesy (נָבָא - nāḇāʾ): To speak by divine inspiration, to proclaim a message from God. Here, it explicitly refers to speaking judgment.
  • forest (יַעַר - yaʿar): This is a powerful metaphor. Forests often symbolize density, strength, prosperity, and pride (like tall trees). However, they are also prone to destructive fires. In this context, "forest" likely represents the dense population of Judah, its established institutions, or its perceived might and arrogance, all of which are ripe for divine judgment. It hints at the coming consumption by fire.

• the Negeb (הַנֶּגֶב - hannēḡeḇ): This term has dual significance:

  • Geographically, it is the arid southern region of Judah, bordering Edom and Egypt. While largely desert, it contains areas capable of sustaining life and agriculture, which makes the "forest" metaphor poignant.
  • As a cardinal direction, negeb also simply means "south." By explicitly naming "the Negeb," the prophecy highlights not just the general southern direction but also this specific, sometimes desolate, yet inhabited, region of Judah, making the judgment all the more concrete and encompassing.

• words-group analysis

  • "Son of man, set your face toward the south": This initial command establishes the divine mandate and the specific geographical target. It underscores the intentionality of God's message and Ezekiel's unwavering role as His messenger, directed precisely at Judah, not a generalized message. The act of "setting the face" suggests determination and resolve in delivering a hard message.
  • "preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest of the South, the Negeb": The repetition of "south" and the layering of descriptions ("forest of the South, the Negeb") emphasize the complete and encompassing nature of the judgment to come. It leaves no doubt about the target. The metaphorical "forest" immediately sets up the subsequent imagery of fire and destruction (in the following verses, Ez 20:47-48), signifying that the entire fabric of life and perceived strength in Judah—whether its people, institutions, or land—is under divine judgment. The mention of "Negeb" concretizes the scope to the very heart of the remaining kingdom.

Ezekiel 20 46 Bonus section

The metaphor of the "forest of the South" being consumed by fire carries deep significance beyond mere destruction. It suggests a clearing of the land, which, while initially devastating, is necessary for new growth and future purity. This aligns with the broader theme in Ezekiel of ultimate restoration (chapters 36-37) following severe judgment. The fire is not merely an end but a purification, designed to remove the deep-rooted corruption of idolatry and rebellion that had infested the covenant community. The "South" could also metaphorically represent a place of hidden iniquity, as sins committed "under cover" in dense "forests" of false worship would now be exposed and eradicated by God's blazing scrutiny.

Ezekiel 20 46 Commentary

Ezekiel 20:46 is a direct and forceful prophetic command that serves as a grim prelude to the immediate and devastating judgment detailed in the subsequent verses. God instructs Ezekiel to orient himself purposefully towards the south, signifying the primary target of His wrath: the kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. The double mention of "south" alongside "the Negeb" removes any ambiguity about the destination of this divine decree.

The vivid imagery of "the forest of the South" is central. Forests, in ancient Near Eastern thought, could symbolize fertility, strength, or abundance. Yet, in biblical prophecy, they are often linked to human pride or vast populations destined for destruction by fire (e.g., Isa 10, Jer 21). Here, it encapsulates the entire vital fabric of Judah—its people, their collective strength, perhaps their established idolatries and wicked ways—all portrayed as dense fuel awaiting the consuming fire of God's judgment. The Negeb, while geographically diverse, historically represented a core, enduring part of Judah's territory.

This specific directive is born out of Judah's long history of covenant unfaithfulness, recounted in detail earlier in Ezekiel 20. God, in His righteousness, must act against the deep-seated rebellion of His people, not for His own benefit, but to uphold the holiness of His Name which they have profaned. The coming "fire" (explicitly detailed in 20:47-48) signifies a comprehensive, unsparing destruction that will engulf all aspects of life in Judah—from the strong ("green trees") to the weak ("dry trees"), symbolizing a total and inescapable divine retribution that precedes their ultimate, future restoration. It reminds believers that while God's patience is immense, His justice is absolute against persistent sin, even within His covenant people.