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Ezekiel 28:21

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Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, set {H7760} thy face {H6440} against Zidon {H6721}, and prophesy {H5012} against it,

"Human being, turn your face toward Tzidon, and prophesy against it.

“Son of man, set your face against Sidon and prophesy against her.

Son of man, set thy face toward Sidon, and prophesy against it,

Commentary

Context of Ezekiel 28:21

Ezekiel 28:21 introduces a specific prophecy against the ancient Phoenician city of Zidon (also spelled Sidon). This verse is part of a larger section in the book of Ezekiel (chapters 25-32) where the prophet delivers divine judgments against various nations surrounding Israel, including Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Egypt, and notably, Tyre. The preceding chapters (Ezekiel 26-28:20) contain extensive and detailed prophecies against Tyre, Zidon's powerful sister city and a major maritime hub. This prophecy against Zidon immediately follows extensive judgments against its powerful sister city, Tyre, detailed from Ezekiel 26 onward. Zidon, situated on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel, was a prominent port city known for its trade, wealth, and its pagan worship, often associated with Baal and Asherah. Historically, Zidon had often been a source of idolatry and occasional hostility towards Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty Over Nations: This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute authority not only over His chosen people, Israel, but over all nations, including powerful commercial centers like Zidon. No nation, regardless of its wealth or influence, is beyond God's reach or accountability.
  • Prophetic Declaration of Judgment: The command for Ezekiel to "set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it" signifies a direct, deliberate, and unyielding declaration of divine judgment. It emphasizes the prophet's role as God's mouthpiece, delivering specific messages of warning and impending consequence.
  • Accountability for Idolatry and Injustice: While the specific reasons for Zidon's judgment are elaborated in subsequent verses (Ezekiel 28:22-23), the inclusion of Zidon in this series of prophecies against pagan nations implies accountability for its idolatry, pride, and any actions that opposed God's purposes or harmed His people.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben 'adam): This is Ezekiel's most frequent designation throughout the book, appearing over 90 times. It emphasizes his humanity and mortality, distinguishing him from the divine source of the message. It highlights his role as a mortal messenger delivering an extraordinary divine word. This title is first introduced in Ezekiel 2:1.
  • "set thy face against" (Hebrew: sim paneka 'el): This idiomatic expression denotes a firm, resolute, and confrontational stance. It indicates a determined posture of opposition and a direct, unyielding prophetic declaration. It is used elsewhere in Ezekiel to signify a posture of judgment (e.g., against Jerusalem, the mountains of Israel).

Practical Application and Reflection

Ezekiel's prophecy against Zidon holds enduring relevance. It reminds us that God's justice is universal and impartial. No nation, government, or powerful entity is exempt from divine scrutiny and accountability. For believers, this passage offers comfort in knowing that God is sovereign over all world events and that ultimately, justice will prevail. It also serves as a call for nations and their leaders to conduct themselves with righteousness, humility, and a recognition of a higher moral authority, understanding that pride and injustice will eventually face consequences.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 6:2 (5 votes)

    Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,

  • Genesis 10:15 (4 votes)

    ¶ And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,

  • Ezekiel 25:2 (3 votes)

    Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;

  • Jeremiah 25:22 (3 votes)

    And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which [are] beyond the sea,

  • Ezekiel 27:8 (3 votes)

    The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise [men], O Tyrus, [that] were in thee, were thy pilots.

  • Jeremiah 47:4 (2 votes)

    Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

  • Isaiah 23:12 (2 votes)

    And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.