Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 21:1-2

"And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop [thy word] toward the sanctuaries, and prophesy against the land of Israel;" — Ezekiel 21:1-2 (ASV)

The first word of judgment (Ezekiel 21:1–7). Ezekiel speaks first to the people of Israel, shows the universality of the coming destructions, and indicates by a sign (that of sighing) the sadness of the calamity.

The words and order of words are identical with Ezekiel 20:45-46, except that for “south,” the following are substituted:

1. “Jerusalem”;
2. “the holy place,” that is, the temple and its various parts;
3. “the land of Israel.”

No subterfuge is left for the people to pretend misunderstanding.