Bible Strands
Ezekiel 16:2
“Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her abominations
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Lord speaks to Ezekiel to deliver a direct indictment to Jerusalem. This occurs immediately after a repeated divine revelation initiates a new prophetic address.
The words — הוֹדַ֥ע (ho.Da') means “make known to,” and תּוֹעֲבֹתֶֽי/הָ (to.'a.vo.Tei./ha) translates to “its abominations.” Together they frame the command as a forced revelation of hidden corruption.
The thread — This confrontational pattern recurs in Ezekiel 20:4, Ezekiel 22:2, and Isaiah 58:1, where prophets are repeatedly commanded to publicly declare the sins of Israel.
Why it lands — The text commands the prophet to unmask Jerusalem’s moral failures without softening the charge. It requires the reader to face unvarnished divine judgment without evasion or excuse.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 22:2 “As for you, son of man, will you judge her? Will you pass judgment on the city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her abominations
- Ezekiel 20:4 Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with the abominations of their fathers
- Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
- Ezekiel 8:9 Then He said to me, “Go in and see the wicked abominations they are committing here.”
- Ezekiel 23:36 Then the LORD said to me: “Son of man, will you pass judgment against Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations.
- Ezekiel 33:7 As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me.
- Hosea 8:1 Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.