And I will set my face against that man; I will make him a sign and a byword and cut him off from the midst of my people, and you shall know that I am the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God declares He will make this idolater a "sign and a proverb," not just an example of punishment, but a vivid, astonishing spectacle so that others will marvel at the severity of divine vengeance. This isn't simply being cut off; it's becoming a living warning, a striking illustration of what happens when someone turns from the LORD.
And I will set my face against that man; I will make him a sign and a byword and cut him off from the midst of my people, and you shall know that I am the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is addressing elders of Israel who are seeking him through him, but they are secretly practicing idolatry. In response, God declares that He will judge these individuals, turning them into a public spectacle of divine punishment, a warning to all. This judgment serves to expose their hypocrisy and reaffirm God's authority over both prophets and people.
When you hear 'God's face is set against someone,' what does that really mean? It's not just disapproval; it's a profound statement about divine justice.
The phrase 'I will set my face against that man' is incredibly strong. It signifies God's determined opposition and unwavering judgment toward those who persistently turn to idols while seeking Him.
A Deliberate Opposition
This isn't a casual glance of displeasure. It's a deliberate, focused stance. God is not ignoring the sin; He is actively confronting it. Think of it like an immovable object set against a destructive force.
The Weight of Wrath
When God sets His face against someone, it means His wrath is directed towards them. This is not the anger of a human losing control, but the righteous indignation of a holy God against rebellion and deceit.
Imagine your life becoming a story that everyone tells, not as an inspiration, but as a stark warning. That's the fate God describes here.
God declares He will 'make him a sign and a byword.' This means the individual's punishment will be so severe and public that he becomes a living example of divine retribution.
A Living Warning
To be a 'sign' means to be a visible indicator, a spectacle. In this context, it's a sign of God's vengeance. People would look at this person and understand the terrible consequences of turning away from the true LORD to false gods.
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The Infamy of a Proverb
A 'byword' or 'proverb' is something people use in their everyday speech to signify something negative. This person's name or story would be invoked to warn others against similar deceit and idolatry. Their fate would be a cautionary tale, echoing the punishments described in Deuteronomy.
What does it mean to be 'cut off from the midst of my people'? It's more than just social exclusion; it's a profound spiritual separation.
The ultimate consequence for persistent idolatry, even when seeking prophetic guidance, is being ‘cut off from the midst of my people.’ This signifies a definitive and final separation.
Removal from the Community
This speaks to being expelled from the community of faith, the covenant people of God. It implies a loss of belonging, protection, and fellowship within the community that God cherishes.
A Mark of God's Finality
‘Cutting off’ often implies a death, whether physical or spiritual, and it serves as a stark reminder that God's judgment is absolute. It’s not a temporary discipline but a definitive removal from His presence and people. This action serves to purify the community and affirm God's holiness, ensuring that the remaining people know who the LORD truly is.
Understand the original words
oth · Hebrew Noun
A notable event, object, or person used as a warning or a symbol of God's judgment, meant to teach others a lesson about the consequences of disobedience.
mashal · Hebrew Noun
A target of mocking, scorn, or reproach; a cautionary example used to illustrate the outcome of turning away from God.
Ezekiel is prophesying during the Babylonian exile, a time of immense national trauma and divine judgment for Judah. The people are struggling with guilt and seeking answers, but many remain entangled with the very idolatry that led to their downfall. God's response, as seen in this verse, is to make a stark example of those who persist in hypocrisy, highlighting the severity of His justice and the absolute necessity of wholehearted devotion.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of its elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation
Another wave of exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, are taken to Babylon after a rebellion by King Jehoiakim. Jerusalem's Temple is not yet destroyed, but the situation is dire.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar finally conquer Jerusalem, destroy the city and its sacred Temple, and deport the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This is a catastrophic event for the Jewish people.
c. 593 BC
Ezekiel's Call to Prophesy
Ezekiel receives his prophetic call by the Chebar River in Babylon, beginning his ministry to the exiles. His messages often address their sin, God's judgment, and future restoration.
c. 591 BC— this verse
Ezekiel Addresses Idolatrous Elders
Ezekiel confronts elders of Israel who have come to inquire of the Lord, but whose hearts are set on idols. This is the immediate context for Ezekiel 14:1-11.
This passage directly parallels Ezekiel's warning, stating that God's people will become a proverb and a byword among all nations, highlighting the public and notorious nature of divine judgment for disobedience.
Leviticus 20:3This verse describes God setting His face against those who practice idolatry and whoredom, mirroring the seriousness of God's opposition to the idolaters in Ezekiel and the intent to cut them off from His people.
Jeremiah 29:22This prophecy mentions specific individuals who will be used as a curse and a proverb, illustrating the concept of people becoming notorious examples of divine punishment for their actions, much like the 'sign and proverb' in Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 32:10This later passage in Ezekiel describes God making nations 'astonished' or a 'sign' because of the sword, echoing the language and theme of making individuals into shocking examples of God's judgment for their sin.
cambridgeEzekiel 14:8: "And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD."
8 . Jehovah’s answer to the idolatrous inquirer: he will make him a sign and a proverb, and cut him off from his people. make him a sign ] This is the traditional reading (Baer’s Ezek .—hiph. of sîm , cf. Ezekiel 21:16 ; Job 4:20 ). R.V. follows a different text. On “sign” &c. cf. Numbers 26:10 ; Deuteronomy 28…
barnesEzekiel 14:8: "And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD."
Will make him - Or, I will make him amazed Ezekiel 32:10 ; or, astonished, so as to be a sign and a proverb.
God declares He will make this idolater a "sign and a proverb," not just an example of punishment, but a vivid, astonishing spectacle so that others will marvel at the severity of divine vengeance. This isn't simply being cut off; it's becoming a living warning, a striking illustration of what happens when someone turns from the LORD.
Ezekiel is addressing elders of Israel who are seeking him through him, but they are secretly practicing idolatry. In response, God declares that He will judge these individuals, turning them into a public spectacle of divine punishment, a warning to all. This judgment serves to expose their hypocrisy and reaffirm God's authority over both prophets and people.
Ezekiel is addressing elders of Israel who are seeking him through him, but they are secretly practicing idolatry. In response, God declares that He will judge these individuals, turning them into a public spectacle of divine punishment, a warning to all. This judgment serves to expose their hypocrisy and reaffirm God's authority over both prophets and people.
"And I will set my face against that man; I will make him a sign and a byword and cut him off from the midst of my people, and you shall know that I am the LORD." — God declares He will make this idolater a "sign and a proverb," not just an example of punishment, but a vivid, astonishing spectacle so that others will marvel at the severity of divine vengeance. T…
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Last reviewed October 2026