Ezekiel 28:22

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

And say {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon {H6721}; and I will be glorified {H3513} in the midst {H8432} of thee: and they shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, when I shall have executed {H6213} judgments {H8201} in her, and shall be sanctified {H6942} in her.

Say that Adonai ELOHIM says: 'I am against you, Tzidon; but I will be glorified in you. They will know that I am ADONAI, once I execute judgments in her and show my holiness in her.

And you are to declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will be glorified within you. They will know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments against her and demonstrate My holiness through her.

and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, O Sidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee; and they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

Ezekiel 28:22 presents a stern prophetic declaration from the Lord GOD concerning Zidon (also known as Sidon), a prominent Phoenician city. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His purpose to reveal His holy character through acts of judgment.

Context

This prophecy against Zidon follows an extensive and vivid judgment pronounced against Tyre, Zidon's powerful sister city and ally, found earlier in Ezekiel 28:1-19. Both cities were vital maritime trading centers in ancient Phoenicia, renowned for their wealth, influence, and often, their pride and idolatry. While Tyre's judgment focused on its king's hubris and fall from a position of imagined perfection, Zidon's judgment here is more concise, emphasizing God's direct opposition and the ultimate revelation of His glory through her downfall. Zidon, like Tyre, would have been seen as a formidable power, making God's declaration against it particularly impactful.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The opening phrase, "Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon," powerfully asserts God's direct and active opposition. This is not merely a consequence of Zidon's actions, but a deliberate act of divine judgment. God is the initiator and executor of justice.
  • God's Glory and Sanctification: The verse explicitly states, "I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her." This highlights God's ultimate purpose in judgment: to manifest His own glory and holiness. The Hebrew word for "glorified" (kabad) here implies making God's power and honor manifest, while "sanctified" (qadash) means to be set apart as holy, demonstrating His unique and unchallengeable nature. Zidon's destruction would serve as a public declaration of who God truly is.
  • Recognition of God: A recurring theme in Ezekiel's prophecies is that nations and people "shall know that I am the LORD." This knowledge is often gained through God's mighty acts, both of judgment and salvation. Here, Zidon's experience of judgment would lead to the recognition of God's unparalleled power and authority, even among those who previously denied or ignored Him. This echoes similar declarations, such as God's purpose in the plagues against Egypt in Exodus 14:4.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "glorified" and "sanctified" in relation to God's actions in Zidon emphasizes the theological weight of the judgment. God's holiness (His sanctification) is made evident and honored (His glorification) through the execution of His righteous decrees. It is a revelation of His character to both the judged and the observers.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 28:22 serves as a timeless reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and peoples. No city, empire, or individual can stand against His ultimate will. His judgments, though sometimes severe, are always righteous and serve a higher purpose: to reveal His glory and holiness to the world. For believers, this verse reinforces the importance of revering God and trusting in His justice. For those who do not yet acknowledge Him, it is a call to recognize His authority and turn to Him before judgment falls. Ultimately, God's character will be fully known, whether through His acts of salvation or His acts of righteous judgment, as He works all things for His glory, as seen in Isaiah 43:7.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 39:13

    Yea, all the people of the land shall bury [them]; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 20:41

    I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.

  • Exodus 14:4

    And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I [am] the LORD. And they did so.

  • Exodus 14:17

    And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

  • Jeremiah 21:13

    Behold, I [am] against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?

  • Psalms 83:17

    Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

  • Ezekiel 29:3

    Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.

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