Ezekiel 28 22

Ezekiel 28:22 kjv

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

Ezekiel 28:22 nkjv

and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; And they shall know that I am the LORD, When I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her.

Ezekiel 28:22 niv

and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "?'I am against you, Sidon, and among you I will display my glory. You will know that I am the LORD, when I inflict punishment on you and within you am proved to be holy.

Ezekiel 28:22 esv

and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will manifest my glory in your midst. And they shall know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments in her and manifest my holiness in her;

Ezekiel 28:22 nlt

Give the people of Sidon this message from the Sovereign LORD: "I am your enemy, O Sidon,
and I will reveal my glory by what I do to you.
When I bring judgment against you
and reveal my holiness among you,
everyone watching will know
that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 28 verses

Ezekiel 28 22 Meaning

Ezekiel 28:22 declares the Lord GOD's resolute opposition to Sidon. Through specific acts of divine judgment, God intends to be publicly glorified within Sidon itself, leading to a widespread recognition of His unique identity as Yahweh. This acknowledgment will arise when His justice is demonstrated and His inherent holiness is revealed in Sidon's downfall.

Ezekiel 28 22 Context

Ezekiel 28:22 is part of a larger section (chapters 25-32) containing prophecies against various foreign nations that were adversaries or morally corrupt in relation to Israel. Specifically, Ezekiel 28 focuses on Tyre and Sidon, two prominent Phoenician city-states on the Mediterranean coast. While Tyre, the leading power, receives a more extensive denunciation for its immense pride, wealth, and perceived self-sufficiency (Eze 28:1-19, particularly the oracle against its king), Sidon is a significant coastal neighbor. Both cities were renowned for their seafaring trade, immense riches, and idolatry, which included the worship of Baal and Asherah, influencing Israel at times.

The preceding verses in Ezekiel 28 specifically prophesied Tyre's destruction due to its arrogance and claiming a god-like status. Verse 22 then turns explicitly to Sidon, signaling that Tyre's fate is not isolated, but part of a broader demonstration of God's universal sovereignty. Historically, Sidon experienced various conquests and periods of subjugation, notably under Assyrian and Babylonian empires, fulfilling the spirit of these prophecies through military defeats and foreign domination. The prophecies here also set up the final verses of the chapter, which promise restoration for Israel once the surrounding hostile nations are dealt with. The ultimate aim is to ensure that through the downfall of these powerful, idolatrous nations, the true God of Israel, Yahweh, would be acknowledged as supreme.

Ezekiel 28 22 Word analysis

• Thus says the Lord GOD: This is a classic prophetic formula (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, neum Adonai YHWH), indicating the direct, authoritative utterance of the sovereign God. It emphasizes divine authority and the certainty of the pronouncement.
• Behold, ('Hineni'): A Hebrew interjection (הִנְנִי, hiněnî) meaning "Behold!", "Indeed," or "Here I am." It grabs attention and emphasizes the certainty and imminent nature of God's action, a direct and personal intervention.
• I am against you, O Sidon: This declares a direct, personal, and active opposition from God Himself. It’s not a passive observation but a confrontation. "Sidon" (צִידֹון, Tzîydôn) means "fishing" or "fishery." As an ancient Phoenician city, it was famed for its maritime prowess, wealth, and as a center of idolatry (like Baal and Asherah worship), historically influencing Israel (1 Ki 11:5, 1 Ki 16:31).
• and I will be glorified in your midst;: "Glorified" (וְנִכְבַּדְתִּי, wĕnikhbadtî) comes from the root כָּבַד (kābad), meaning "to be heavy," "weighty," or "honored." Here, it’s in the Niphal (passive reflexive), meaning "I will show Myself heavy/important," or "I will acquire glory." It denotes God's power and honor being displayed through action, vindicating His name and character. "In your midst" signifies that this glorification will happen publicly within Sidon itself, not just as a distant consequence, making it undeniable.
• and they shall know that I am the LORD: "Know" (וְיָדְעוּ, wĕyādĕ‘û) comes from יָדַע (yāda‘), implying an experiential, rather than merely intellectual, recognition. It's an understanding derived from witnessing God's powerful acts. "I am the LORD" (אֲנִי יְהוָה, ʾănî YHWH) is the foundational declaration of God's covenant name and unique, unparalleled deity, found frequently in Ezekiel. It contrasts with pagan deities Sidon worshipped.
• when I execute judgments in her: "Execute judgments" (עָשִׂיתִי בָהּ שְׁפָטִים, ‘aśîtî vâ hû šep̄ātîm) refers to God's definitive, righteous acts of justice and punitive rulings. These are concrete divine interventions against Sidon for its sin.
• and manifest My holiness in her: "Manifest My holiness" (וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בָהּ, wĕniqdešṯî vâ) means "I will be sanctified/hallowed in her." The root קָדַשׁ (qādaš) signifies "to be holy," "set apart," or "sacred." Here, in the Niphal, it indicates God demonstrating His divine nature—His moral purity, righteousness, and transcendence—by dealing decisively with sin and pride, upholding His own distinct and separate nature. It is not that God becomes holy, but that His intrinsic holiness is visibly demonstrated.

Words-Group analysis:

• "Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will be glorified in your midst": This establishes a direct correlation. God's opposition is not random but purposeful; it serves to achieve His own glory and recognition. His divine justice is inherently linked to the revelation of His sovereign character. The destruction of Sidon, therefore, becomes a stage for God's glory.
• "and they shall know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments in her and manifest My holiness in her.": This entire clause defines how God will be glorified and recognized. The means are specific acts of "judgments" (showing His justice) and "manifesting holiness" (showing His righteous character and supreme distinctiveness). The consequence of these actions is the experiential "knowing" that Yahweh is indeed the one true God, leaving no room for doubt or challenge.

Ezekiel 28 22 Bonus section

The repeated phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" is one of the most defining phrases in the book of Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times. It encapsulates a primary theological aim of God's judgments and redemptive acts. This "knowing" is not simply an intellectual grasp but a profound, undeniable, experiential realization of Yahweh's identity, power, and ultimate sovereignty, both by His people and by the nations. In the case of Sidon, the judgment serves as a polemic against the city's self-reliance, its pagan deities (such as Baal), and its perceived invincibility, demonstrating the utter impotence of these false gods in the face of Yahweh's power. This act also subtly reassures Israel that despite their own deserved discipline, Yahweh is still the active, sovereign God who will ultimately restore His people by clearing their hostile surroundings.

Ezekiel 28 22 Commentary

Ezekiel 28:22 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering sovereignty and righteous character, communicated through the pronouncement of judgment on Sidon. The verse articulates that God's actions are not arbitrary, but possess a clear, self-revelatory purpose. He places Himself in active opposition to Sidon not out of caprice, but to use its punishment as a visible means of demonstrating His intrinsic glory and holiness to all.

This passage underlines a critical theme in Ezekiel and throughout Scripture: God's name and character are primary. The "knowledge of Yahweh" is an experiential, not merely intellectual, understanding of who He is. When nations, like Sidon, defy God, embrace pride, and indulge in idolatry and oppression, God’s righteous response is judgment. This judgment, though severe, serves as a divine testament to His absolute power, justice, and purity. It reveals that the God of Israel is not merely one god among many, nor is He confined to Israel's borders. He is the Lord of all nations, actively governing history and ultimately ensuring that His distinct, holy character is acknowledged across the earth. Thus, even in their destruction, adversaries become unwilling instruments in the display of God's supreme authority.