Translations
Modern
“Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
Traditional
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;
Literal
“Son of man, set your face to the way of Teman, and preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest of the land of the Negev.
Latin
Fili hominis, pone faciem tuam contra viam austri, et stilla ad africum, et propheta ad saltum agri meridiani.
Original
Hebrew
English
“Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
Notes
set your face toward the south (literally turn toward Teman): Teman was a town in Edom, southeast of Judah.
The Negev was southwest of the Dead Sea.
Like a parable, this prophecy both reveals and conceals its message. People complain that the prophet only speaks in riddles (see Matthew 13:10–17). It reveals that a powerful judgment is coming. This judgment is described as an all-consuming fire. That means it is like a fire that burns up every tree.
Events
- Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC
Places
Negeb: The southern region of Israel, a semi-arid area