Ezekiel 28 21

Ezekiel 28:21 kjv

Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,

Ezekiel 28:21 nkjv

"Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her,

Ezekiel 28:21 niv

"Son of man, set your face against Sidon; prophesy against her

Ezekiel 28:21 esv

"Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her

Ezekiel 28:21 nlt

"Son of man, turn and face the city of Sidon and prophesy against it.

Ezekiel 28 verses

Ezekiel 28 21 Meaning

Ezekiel 28:21 commands the prophet Ezekiel to turn his attention and prophetic focus directly towards the Phoenician city of Sidon and pronounce a message of divine judgment against it. This instruction signals God's sovereign authority extending beyond Israel to the nations, holding them accountable for their actions, particularly their pride, idolatry, and role as a "thorn" to Israel. It initiates the specific oracle that follows concerning Sidon's future.

Ezekiel 28 21 Context

Ezekiel 28:21 appears after a prolonged oracle of judgment specifically targeting Tyre, a dominant Phoenician city known for its wealth, maritime power, and perceived invincibility, whose "king" (often seen as a dual reference to the historical king and a spiritual entity representing the city's pride) was depicted as full of pride, akin to a fallen angel. Having addressed Tyre's judgment in detail in chapters 26-27, and particularly Tyre's profound spiritual corruption and pride in 28:1-19, this verse marks a transition to its neighboring sister-city, Sidon. Both cities, strategically located on the Mediterranean coast, were central to Phoenician culture, trade, and seafaring. Historically, Sidon was an older city than Tyre but often subordinate to it by Ezekiel's time, though still a significant power. God's focus on Sidon after Tyre underscores the comprehensive nature of His judgment against the proud and idolatrous nations surrounding Israel. For the original audience in Babylonian exile, these prophecies would affirm God's continued sovereignty over world powers, providing hope and vindication that their oppressors and the influences that led Israel astray would also face divine accountability.

Ezekiel 28 21 Word analysis

• Son of man (בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-ʾāḏām): This title, used frequently throughout the book of Ezekiel (over 90 times), identifies Ezekiel not just as a human but as a representative of humanity, emphasizing his earthly nature in contrast to the divine glory he experiences. It signifies God's direct personal address to the prophet, empowering him with authority despite his human fragility. This contrasts later New Testament usage for Jesus, emphasizing his dual nature (humanity and divinity).
• set your face (שִׂים פָּנֶיךָ, sîm pānɛḵā): A strong Hebrew idiom signifying a fixed gaze, firm resolve, determination, or intentional opposition. It implies a direct confrontation and unflinching delivery of a message. It's an act of resolve, much like a general sets his gaze on an enemy city.
• toward (אֶל, ʾel): A preposition indicating direction or opposition. Here, it denotes the specific target for Ezekiel's prophetic attention.
• Sidon (צִידֹון, ṣîḏôn): An ancient and prominent Phoenician coastal city, older than Tyre. It was known for its maritime trade, craftmanship, and a central hub for pagan worship, particularly of Baal and Asherah/Astarte. Sidonian culture heavily influenced Israelite idolatry at various points (e.g., King Solomon's wives). The city’s name possibly means "fishery" or "fortification."
• and prophesy (וְהִנָּבֵא, wəhinnāḇē): From the verb נָבָא (nāḇāʾ), meaning "to prophesy," "to declare." This command stresses the active, public declaration of God's revealed word. It’s not just to think about Sidon but to verbally pronounce judgment.
• against her (עָלֶיהָ, ʿāleyhā): A preposition signifying "against" or "upon," confirming the adversarial nature of the prophecy directed towards Sidon.

Words-group analysis

• Son of man, set your face toward: This opening phrase functions as a direct divine mandate to Ezekiel. It underscores his role as God's chosen messenger, highlighting both his human identity and the supernatural origin of his commission. The phrase "set your face toward" concretely directs Ezekiel's physical and spiritual attention, indicating that God's judgment is about to fall upon a specific target with unwavering intent. This echoes similar calls to action within Ezekiel where specific geographical or spiritual foci are established for the prophet's message of judgment.
• Sidon, and prophesy against her: This specifies both the subject and the action. Sidon is named as the recipient of divine judgment, following closely on the heels of the detailed oracle against Tyre, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these pagan powers in God's eyes. The command "prophesy against her" makes clear that the divine word will not be one of blessing or warning for repentance, but of direct pronouncement of God's righteous verdict, affirming God's universal sovereignty even over wealthy Gentile cities distant from Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 28 21 Bonus section

• Phoenician Twin Cities: Sidon was Tyre's elder sister city, often playing a role secondary to Tyre in the later monarchic period but still a significant port and cultural center. Addressing Sidon after Tyre shows God's full scope of judgment over the region, often viewed together.
• Theological Parallel to Ezekiel 25-32: This verse fits within a larger block of prophecies against foreign nations (Edom, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, Sidon, Egypt). This genre showcases God's universal sovereignty, reminding Israel in exile that even in their weakness, God remains in control of history and judges all who oppose Him or hurt His people.
• Purpose of Judgment: Beyond punishment, God's judgment of nations often had a redemptive purpose, demonstrating His holiness "that they may know that I am the Lord" (Ezek 28:22), and clearing the way for Israel's future restoration (Ezek 28:24-26).
• Idolatry and Israel's Influence: Sidon's pagan gods, especially Ashtoreth, were notorious for influencing Israel. For instance, Ahab's wife Jezebel was a Sidonian princess, who notoriously brought Baal worship to Israel, showing Sidon's long-standing detrimental impact. This background adds weight to God's specific judgment.

Ezekiel 28 21 Commentary

Ezekiel 28:21 initiates God's oracle against Sidon, transitioning from the lengthy prophecy against its more dominant neighbor, Tyre. This command emphasizes divine intentionality and specificity: God's judgment is not random but deliberately focused. The phrase "set your face toward Sidon" signifies God's firm resolve and unyielding commitment to bring accountability to a city known for its maritime prowess, economic prosperity, and, crucially, its deep-seated idolatry and influence on Israel's apostasy. This prophecy reminds both Israel and the nations that even seemingly impregnable cities, proud of their self-sufficiency and pagan gods, are ultimately under the authority of the God of Israel. It serves as a reminder that divine justice is comprehensive, encompassing all who defy Him or lead His people astray, ultimately vindicating God's name and revealing His holiness through judgment.