“Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel
Parallel translations
- WEB “Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and preach toward the sanctuaries, and prophesy against the land of Israel.
- KJV Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,
- NKJV “Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, preach against the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel;
- NASB “Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem, and speak prophetically against the sanctuaries and prophesy against the land of Israel;
- NLT “Son of man, turn and face Jerusalem and prophesy against Israel and her sanctuaries.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God directs Ezekiel to set his face toward Jerusalem and prophesy against its sanctuaries and the land of Israel. The judgment is now named plainly: Jerusalem itself.
Overview
What was symbolized as the 'south' and the 'forest' is now identified directly as Jerusalem, its temple, and the land. Even the sanctuaries are not exempt, for the people had defiled them with idolatry. The directness of this oracle leaves no room for the people to dismiss the warning as mere parable.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Ezek 20:46“Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
- Ezek 4:7You must turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem with your arm bared, and prophesy against it.
- Ezek 28:21“Son of man, set your face against Sidon and prophesy against her.
- Ezek 25:2“Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them.
- Jer 26:11–12Then 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!”
- Ezek 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.
- Mic 2:11If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!
- Mic 2:6“Do not preach,” they preach. “Do not preach these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
- Ezek 6:2“Son of man, set your face against the mountains of Israel and prophesy against them.
- Amos 7:16Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’
- Ezek 4:3Then 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.
- Eph 6:19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
- Ezek 38:2“Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him
- Acts 6:13–14where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
- Ezek 29:2“Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.
- Deut 32:2Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 21:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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