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.

EZEKIEL 28:22KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 28:22 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 28:22 mean?

Ezekiel 28:22 announces that God is against the city of Zidon (Sidon) and will show His power and holiness there by bringing judgment, so that people will recognize Him as the LORD. The verse makes clear that God’s actions are meant to reveal His glory and set-apartness in the midst of a people who do not honor Him.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to Zidon, a prominent Phoenician city near Tyre, during a time when neighboring nations were being warned of coming judgment. The verse stresses that God’s intervention is not random but purposeful: through His judgments, people will come to know who He truly is, even in places far from Israel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 28:22

  • "glorified" (כָּבֵד, kāḇēd): This word often means to be honored or made weighty. Here, it shows that God’s reputation and greatness will be unmistakably displayed in Zidon.
  • "sanctified" (קָדַשׁ, qāḏaš): This word means to be set apart as holy. In this context, it emphasizes that God’s unique holiness will be recognized through the events He brings about.
  • "judgments" (שָׁפָט, šāphāṭ): This refers to acts of justice or decisions. The verse uses it to describe the specific actions God will take to correct or punish Zidon, making His standards clear.

Why Ezekiel 28:22 matters

  • Ezekiel 28:22 clarifies that God’s judgments are not only for Israel but also for other nations, showing His authority over all peoples.
  • The verse highlights that God’s purpose in judgment is to reveal His character—His glory and holiness—so that people will come to know Him.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where God addresses various nations, underlining that no city or kingdom is beyond His reach or concern.

Where else these words appear

“judgments” Hebrew H8201 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
  • Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
  • Ezekiel 16:41 And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

“Zidon” Hebrew H6721 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • Judges 18:28 And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.
  • Jeremiah 25:22 And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,

“glorified” Hebrew H3513 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  • 2 Samuel 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
  • Proverbs 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.