Ezekiel 6:2
Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The 'mountains of Israel' hosted numerous high places (bamot) where syncretistic worship flourished. Archaeological excavations have uncovered these elevated cultic sites throughout the hill country of Israel and Judah, featuring altars, standing stones, and offering platforms. Despite repeated efforts by reforming kings to eliminate them (Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18:4; Josiah in 2 Kings 23:8), high places persistently recurred.
These mountain shrines originally served Yahweh worship but increasingly incorporated Canaanite practices—fertility rites, Asherah poles, and offerings to Baal. The natural beauty and elevation of mountaintops attracted worship, but corrupted worship contaminated what God created good. The mountains themselves became defiled by the abominations committed on them, warranting divine judgment.
For the exiles in flat Mesopotamia, hearing about Israel's mountains would evoke homesickness and national identity. Yet Ezekiel's message challenges nostalgia—those beloved mountains hosted covenant violations that brought exile. The land they longed for had been polluted by their own idolatry. Only after judgment purified the high places could restoration occur.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God addressing creation itself teach about the cosmic scope of sin and judgment?
- How does the title 'Son of man' emphasize both humanity's weakness and God's grace in using human instruments?
- In what ways do beautiful natural settings become occasions for sin when used for false worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, God commands Ezekiel to "set thy face" (sim panekha, שִׂים פָּנֶיךָ) toward "the mountains of Israel"—a posture of confrontation and judgment. The title "Son of man" (ben-adam, בֶּן־אָדָם) appears over 90 times in Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity in contrast to God's divinity. Mortal man becomes mouthpiece for eternal God, highlighting the graciousness of divine condescension in using human instruments.
"Mountains of Israel" represents the entire land, using synecdoche (part for whole). Mountains held religious significance—high places where idolatrous worship occurred (verse 3). By addressing the land itself, God emphasizes that creation bears witness to covenant violation and will participate in judgment (Romans 8:19-22). The command to "prophesy against them" reverses the mountains' intended purpose—they should evoke praise for the Creator (Psalm 148:9) but instead provoke judgment due to idolatry practiced there.
This personification of creation as recipient of prophetic word appears throughout Scripture (Isaiah 1:2; Micah 6:1-2). Heaven and earth testify as covenant witnesses, witnessing Israel's unfaithfulness. The created order, which should glorify God through humanity's stewardship, instead suffers degradation through human sin. This points toward new creation where redeemed humanity and restored creation together glorify God (Revelation 21-22).