Ezekiel 21:2
Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
Son
H1121
בֶּן
Son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֗ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֗ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 13
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שִׂ֤ים
set
H7760
שִׂ֤ים
set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 13
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
פָּנֶ֙יךָ֙
thy face
H6440
פָּנֶ֙יךָ֙
thy face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
toward Jerusalem
H3389
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
toward Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
6 of 13
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְהַטֵּ֖ף
and drop
H5197
וְהַטֵּ֖ף
and drop
Strong's:
H5197
Word #:
7 of 13
to ooze, i.e., distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration
מִקְדָּשִׁ֑ים
thy word toward the holy places
H4720
מִקְדָּשִׁ֑ים
thy word toward the holy places
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
9 of 13
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
וְהִנָּבֵ֖א
and prophesy
H5012
וְהִנָּבֵ֖א
and prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
10 of 13
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
Cross References
Ezekiel 20:46Son 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 4:7Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.Ezekiel 25:2Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;Ezekiel 28:21Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,
Historical Context
Jerusalem housed the temple, David's throne, and covenant promises—seemingly guaranteeing divine protection. False prophets promoted this false security (Jeremiah 7:4). Ezekiel's command to prophesy against even holy places shattered presumption that sacred geography provided immunity. When Babylon destroyed the temple (586 BC), this prophecy was vindicated—holiness requires obedience, not merely designated space.
Questions for Reflection
- How does prophesying against 'holy places' challenge presumption based on religious heritage?
- What does God's adversarial stance toward His own people teach about covenant accountability?
- In what ways might contemporary Christians presume on God's protection despite living in disobedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel," God commands confrontational posture—"set thy face toward Jerusalem" indicates hostile opposition. "Drop thy word" (hatef, הַטֵּף) means prophesy or preach with intensity. Even "holy places" (mikdashim, מִקְדָּשִׁים) receive judgment—religious sites don't guarantee protection when defiled by sin. The command to prophesy "against" (al, עַל) the land emphasizes adversarial relationship—God opposes His own people due to covenant violation.