Ezekiel 6:2

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

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, set {H7760} thy face {H6440} toward the mountains {H2022} of Israel {H3478}, and prophesy {H5012} against them,

"Human being, face toward the mountains of Isra'el, and prophesy against them:

“Son of man, set your face against the mountains of Israel and prophesy against them.

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

Commentary on Ezekiel 6:2

Ezekiel 6:2 initiates a powerful prophetic message of judgment from God through His prophet Ezekiel. The verse reads, "Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them." This command marks the beginning of a significant oracle concerning the impending desolation of the land of Israel due to its pervasive idolatry.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel was among the exiles in Babylon, a group taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar during the first deportation from Jerusalem (around 597 BC). While the people in Judah still held onto false hopes of immediate restoration, God was revealing to Ezekiel the true depth of their sin and the certainty of further, more severe judgment, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. This particular prophecy (Ezekiel 6) is directed at the land of Israel itself, specifically its geographical features that had become defiled by pagan worship.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The primary theme is God's unwavering judgment against the persistent idolatry of His people. The "prophesy against them" signifies a message of condemnation and impending wrath.
  • Idolatry and Apostasy: The core sin addressed is Israel's turning away from the Lord to worship false gods on "high places" and altars built on the mountains and hills throughout the land. This spiritual unfaithfulness provoked God's anger.
  • Symbolism of the Land: The "mountains of Israel" are not merely geographical features but symbolic representations of the entire land and its inhabitants, which had become polluted by pagan practices. These mountains were often chosen sites for idolatrous altars and groves (Jeremiah 3:6).
  • Prophetic Authority: Ezekiel, addressed as "Son of man," is commanded to adopt a posture of resolute determination ("set thy face toward") as he delivers God's stern message. This emphasizes the divine origin and certainty of the prophecy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben adam) is a common address for Ezekiel, highlighting his human nature in contrast to the divine majesty of God who speaks through him. The command "set thy face toward" (Hebrew: sim paneka) implies a firm, resolute posture, often associated with prayer, rebuke, or a determined course of action, as seen in other prophetic contexts (e.g., Daniel 9:3).

Practical Application

Ezekiel 6:2 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual compromise and idolatry. While modern idolatry may not involve physical altars on mountains, it can manifest as anything that takes precedence over God in our lives—money, power, possessions, relationships, or even self-worship. The passage reminds us that:

  • God is Sovereign and Just: He will not tolerate persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness.
  • Consequences of Sin: Turning away from God has severe consequences, individually and corporately.
  • Purity in Worship: True worship involves undivided devotion to God alone, free from competing allegiances.
  • Heeding Warnings: We are called to listen to and act upon God's warnings, lest we face the consequences of spiritual apathy.

This verse underscores God's commitment to His holiness and His resolve to purify His people and land, even through severe judgment, to bring them back to Himself.

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 19:9

    And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 37:22

    And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:

  • Ezekiel 33:28

    For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.

  • Ezekiel 35:12

    And thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD, [and that] I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.

  • Ezekiel 20:46

    Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop [thy word] toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

  • Ezekiel 34:14

    I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and [in] a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 13:17

    ¶ Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

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