Ezekiel 28:21
Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
Son
H1121
בֶּן
Son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֕ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֕ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 8
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שִׂ֥ים
set
H7760
שִׂ֥ים
set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 8
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
פָּנֶ֖יךָ
thy face
H6440
פָּנֶ֖יךָ
thy face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
צִיד֑וֹן
against Zidon
H6721
צִיד֑וֹן
against Zidon
Strong's:
H6721
Word #:
6 of 8
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
Cross References
Ezekiel 6:2Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,Genesis 10:15And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,Jeremiah 25:22And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,Ezekiel 27:8The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.Ezekiel 25:2Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;
Historical Context
Sidon's judgment came in waves: Babylonian siege (586-573 BC period), Persian destruction (345 BC), and Alexander's conquest (333 BC). Each demonstrated God's sovereignty. The Persian period was particularly devastating—when revolt failed, Sidonians burned their city and themselves rather than surrender. Approximately 40,000 died. God was indeed 'glorified in their midst' through judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How is God glorified through judgment as well as mercy?
- What does 'I am against you' teach about the impossibility of standing before God's opposition?
- How do God's judgments 'sanctify' His name before watching nations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon—The covenant lawsuit formula: הִנְנִי עָלַיִךְ (hinnĕnî ʿālayik, 'behold, I am against you'). When God positions Himself as adversary, no defense avails.
And I will be glorified in the midst of thee—וְנִכְבַּדְתִּי בְּתוֹכֵךְ (wĕnikhbadtî bĕthôkhēkh, 'and I will be glorified in your midst'). The verb כָּבַד (kābad, 'to be heavy/weighty/glorious') shows God's glory manifested through judgment. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her—The recognition formula coupled with וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי (wĕniqdashtî, 'and I will show myself holy'). God's holiness and glory are vindicated when He judges sin. Sidon's judgment would demonstrate to watching nations that YHWH alone is God, and that holiness demands sin's punishment.