Bible Strands
Ezekiel 21:2
“Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Ezekiel immediately after delivering a divine commission in Ezekiel 21:1. This moment initiates a direct prophetic confrontation against Jerusalem, its sanctuaries, and the land of Israel.
The words — The Hebrew terms sim and pa.nei.kha literally mean “set” and “your face.” Together they form the imperative command to direct one’s full attention toward a specific target.
The thread — This prophetic posture appears in Ezekiel 4:7, Ezekiel 20:46, and Ezekiel 25:2. Each passage repeats the formula to face a specific entity and deliver judgment.
Why it lands — The text demands unflinching focus on impending judgment and public proclamation. It requires the reader to acknowledge that divine warning precedes destruction without offering comfort.
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, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 20:46 “Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
- Ezekiel 4:7 You must turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem with your arm bared, and prophesy against it.
- Ezekiel 25:2 “Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them.
- Ezekiel 28:21 “Son of man, set your face against Sidon and prophesy against her.
- Deuteronomy 32:2 Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.
- Jeremiah 26:11 Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!”
- Ezekiel 4:3 Then take an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between yourself and the city. Turn your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel.
- Ezekiel 6:2 “Son of man, set your face against the mountains of Israel and prophesy against them.
- Ezekiel 29:2 “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.
- Ezekiel 36:1 “And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD.