and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will manifest my glory in your midst. And they shall know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments in her and manifest my holiness in her;
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's glory isn't just displayed despite His judgments, but through them. He will be known and "sanctified" – revealed as uniquely holy and just – not by Sidon's repentance, but by the devastating execution of His righteous wrath upon them.
and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will manifest my glory in your midst. And they shall know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments in her and manifest my holiness in her;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage shifts focus from the king of Tyre to the city of Sidon itself, a prominent Phoenician port city. Ezekiel announces that God's judgment is coming against Sidon, not just as a punishment for its own sins, but as a demonstration of God's power and holiness. This judgment will make it clear to all who witness it that the Lord is the true and sovereign God, unlike the pagan deities worshipped by these nations.
You might think God's focus is solely on blessing His people. But this verse shows a different, powerful side: God actively confronting His enemies. What does it mean for God to be 'against' a city?
The message to Sidon isn't a gentle suggestion; it's a declaration of divine opposition. "Behold, I am against you, O Sidon." This isn't a passive stance. It means God, the Creator and Sovereign, is actively bringing His powerful opposition to bear on this city.
This confrontation isn't random. It's rooted in God's nature. Throughout Scripture, when God declares Himself 'against' a people or a city, it's in response to their sin, their idolatry, and their rejection of Him. God's justice demands a response to wickedness, and this declaration is the prelude to that response.
Think of it as the ultimate legal and spiritual showdown. God, the supreme judge, is stepping onto the scene, and His attention is now fully fixed on Sidon. This 'againstness' is a powerful indicator of His holiness and His commitment to justice.
We often associate God's glory with His blessings and miracles. But Ezekiel reveals something profound: God's glory is also intensely displayed through His judgments. How does that work?
The core of this verse lies in how God will manifest Himself to Sidon and the surrounding world: through judgment. The text says, 'I will be glorified in your midst... and they shall know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments in her and manifest my holiness in her.'
This isn't about God needing glory in a human sense. It's about His character being made undeniably clear. When God executes judgment, He is revealing His:
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The surrounding nations will 'know' who the Lord is, not through Sidon's conversion, but through Sidon's downfall. God's holiness is made manifest—clearly seen—as He deals with the city's wickedness. It's a stark, unforgettable demonstration of His character.
The word 'sanctified' often brings to mind purity and holiness. But here, it's linked directly to God executing judgment. What does it mean for God to be 'sanctified' in a place of judgment?
The ultimate outcome of God's judgment on Sidon is that He will be 'sanctified' in her midst. This doesn't mean Sidon becomes holy; rather, God's own holiness is recognized and affirmed through the judgment.
To be 'sanctified' here means to be recognized as absolutely holy, set apart, and distinct from sin. It's about God's character being honored and acknowledged as righteous and pure.
When God judges, He demonstrates that He is not merely powerful, but holy in His power. He acts justly. The people witnessing or experiencing this judgment will be forced to acknowledge His supreme holiness. They will see that God is not a human ruler who tolerates sin or compromises His standards. He is the Holy One, and His holiness will be vindicated, even—and especially—when He brings severe judgment.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The absolute, personal name of God, YHWH, revealing His covenantal faithfulness, eternal existence, and holiness.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The manifestation of God’s character, presence, and divine majesty; it signifies His weightiness and supreme worth.
qodesh · Hebrew Noun
The state of being set apart or distinct; God’s moral purity and transcendence that demands reverence and separates Him from all that is common or sinful.
shephatim · Hebrew Noun
The divine act of administering justice, righting wrongs, and vindicating God’s righteous standards against wickedness.
Ezekiel's prophecy against Sidon comes shortly after his oracle against Tyre. Both prophecies emphasize God's sovereign judgment against proud, wealthy cities that oppressed His people and ignored His truth.
c. 12th century BC
Founding of Sidon
Sidon, a major Phoenician city, was founded by Sidon, grandson of Noah. It grew into a powerful maritime and commercial center.
c. 10th-9th century BC
Tyre's Rise Under Sidonian Influence
The city of Tyre, originally a colony of Sidon, began to gain prominence and eventually rival its mother city in wealth and power.
701 BC
Assyrian Campaigns in Phoenicia
Assyrian king Sennacherib campaigns against Phoenician cities, including Sidon, exacting tribute and asserting control over the region.
677 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Sidon
Assyrian king Esarhaddon conquers and destroys Sidon, punishing its rebellion and scattering its population.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Judeans. This event significantly impacts the surrounding nations and prophet Ezekiel.
c. 574-573 BC
Ezekiel Prophesies Against Tyre
Ezekiel delivers a lengthy prophecy against the city of Tyre, detailing its impending doom due to its pride and exploitation.
c. 573 BC— this verse
Prophecy Against Sidon
Ezekiel pronounces judgment against Sidon, highlighting God's holiness and power through the severe punishment that will befall the city.
This passage echoes the language of Ezekiel, stating God will be glorified in the defeat of Pharaoh's army, similar to how His glory is revealed through judgment on Sidon.
Leviticus 10:3Aaron's sons were struck down because they did not honor God's holiness. This passage highlights how God's holiness is made manifest when it is not respected, paralleling God's intent to be 'sanctified' through His judgment on Sidon.
Ezekiel 39:13This later chapter in Ezekiel revisits the theme of God being glorified through judgment on His enemies (Gog), showing a consistent prophetic pattern of demonstrating divine holiness and power through acts of justice.
Psalm 9:15-16This psalm speaks of nations being ensnared by their own deeds and the wicked perishing in the works of their hands, reflecting the idea in Ezekiel that God's judgments reveal His justice and holiness to those who witness them.
Isaiah 5:16The prophet Isaiah declares that the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his righteous deeds, and God will be shown to be holy through acts of justice. This aligns with Ezekiel's message that God's judgment on Sidon serves to demonstrate His holiness.
barnesEzekiel 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."
Be glorified ... be sanctified - Or, "get Me glory ... have shown Myself holy" (and in Ezekiel 28:25 ).
clarkeEzekiel 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."
I am against thee, O Zidon - Sidon for a long time had possessed the empire of the sea and of all Phoenicia, and Tyre was one of its colonies; but in process of time, the daughter became greater than the mother. It seems to have been an independent…
God's glory isn't just displayed despite His judgments, but through them. He will be known and "sanctified" – revealed as uniquely holy and just – not by Sidon's repentance, but by the devastating execution of His righteous wrath upon them.
This passage shifts focus from the king of Tyre to the city of Sidon itself, a prominent Phoenician port city. Ezekiel announces that God's judgment is coming against Sidon, not just as a punishment for its own sins, but as a demonstration of God's power and holiness. This judgment will make it clear to all who witness it that the Lord is the true and sovereign God, unlike the pagan deities worshipped by these nations.
This passage shifts focus from the king of Tyre to the city of Sidon itself, a prominent Phoenician port city. Ezekiel announces that God's judgment is coming against Sidon, not just as a punishment for its own sins, but as a demonstration of God's power and holiness. This judgment will make it clear to all who witness it that the Lord is the true and sovereign God, unlike the pagan deities worshipped by these nations.
"and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:
“Behold, I am against you, O Sidon,
and I will manifest my glory in your midst.
And they shall know that I am the LORD
when I execute judgments in her
and manifest my holine…" — God's glory isn't just displayed *despite* His judgments, but *through* them. He will be known and "sanctified" – revealed as uniquely holy and just – not by Sidon's repentance, but by the devastatin…
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Last reviewed October 2026