Ezekiel 28
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The first part of this chapter relates to a King of Tyre, probably the same who is called in the Phoenician annals Ithobalus. He seems to have been a vain man, who affected Divine honors. The prophet treats his foolish pretensions with severe irony, and predicts his doom, Eze 28:1-10. He then takes up a funeral dirge and lamentation over him, in which his former pomp and splendor are finely contrasted with his fall, in terms that seem frequently to allude to the fall of Lucifer from heaven, (Isaiah 14), Eze 28:11-19. The overthrow of Sidon, the mother city of Tyre, is next announced, Eze 28:20-23; and the chapter concludes with a promise to the Jews of deliverance from all their enemies, and particularly of their restoration from the Babylonish captivity, Eze 28:24-26.
Open source ↗PROPHETICAL DIRGE ON THE KING OF TYRE, AS THE CULMINATION AND EMBODIMENT OF THE SPIRIT OF CARNAL PRIDE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF THE WHOLE STATE. THE FALL OF ZIDON, THE MOTHER CITY. THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL IN CONTRAST WITH TYRE AND ZIDON. (Eze. 28:1-26) Because, &c.--repeated resumptively in Eze 28:6. The apodosis begins at Eze 28:7. "The prince of Tyrus" at the time was Ithobal, or Ithbaal II; the name implying his close connection with Baal, the PhÅ“nician supreme god, whose representative he was. I am a god, I sit in . . . seat of God . . . the seas--As God sits enthroned in His heavenly citadel exempt from all injury, so I sit secure in my impregnable stronghold amidst the stormiest elements, able to control them at will, and make them subserve my interests. The language, though primarily here applied to the king of Tyre, as similar language is to the king of Babylon (Isa 14:13-14), yet has an ulterior and fuller accomplishment in Satan and his embodiment in Antichrist (Dan 7:25; Dan 11:36-37; Th2 2:4; Rev 13:6). This feeling of superhuman elevation in the king of Tyre was fostered by the fact that the island on which Tyre stood was called "the holy island" [SANCONIATHON], being sacred to Hercules, so much so that the colonies looked up to Tyre as the mother city of their religion, as well as of their political existence. The Hebrew for "God" is El, that is, "the Mighty One." yet, &c.--keen irony. set thine heart as . . . heart of God--Thou thinkest of thyself as if thou wert God.
Open source ↗The word of the Lord came again unto me,.... With another prophecy; as before against the city of Tyre, now against the king of Tyre: saying; as follows:
Open source ↗Fall of the Prince of Tyre Eze 28:1. And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Eze 28:2. Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Because thy heart has lifted itself up, and thou sayest, "I am a God, I sit upon a seat of Gods, in the heart of the seas," when thou art a man and not God, and cherishest a mind like a God's mind, Eze 28:3. Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; nothing secret is obscure to thee; Eze 28:4. Through thy wisdom and thy understanding hast thou acquired might, and put gold and silver in thy treasuries; Eze 28:5. Through the greatness of thy wisdom hast thou increased thy might by thy trade, and thy heart has lifted itself up on account of thy might, Eze 28:6. Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Because thou cherishest a mind like a God's mind, Eze 28:7. Therefore, behold, I will bring foreigners upon thee, violent men of the nations; they will draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and pollute thy splendour. Eze 28:8. They will cast thee down into the pit, that thou mayest die the death of the slain in the heart of the seas. Eze 28:9. Wilt thou indeed say, I am a God, in the face of him that slayeth thee, when thou art a man and not God in the hand of him that killeth thee? Eze 28:10. Thou wilt die the death of the uncircumcised at the hand of foreigners; for I have spoken it, is the saying of the Lord Jehovah. - This threat of judgment follows in general the same course as those addressed to other nations (compare especially Ezekiel 25), namely, that the sin is mentioned first (Eze 28:2-5), and then the punishment consequent upon the sin (Eze 28:6-10). In Eze 28:12 מלך is used instead of נגיד, dux. In the use of the term נגיד to designate the king, Kliefoth detects an indication of the peculiar position…
Open source ↗We had done with Tyrus in the foregoing chapter, but now the prince of Tyrus is to be singled out from the rest. Here is something to be said to him by himself, a message to him from God, which the prophet must send him, whether he will hear or whether he will forbear. I. He must tell him of his pride. His people are proud (Eze 27:3) and so is he; and they shall both be made to know that God resists the proud. Let us see, 1. What were the expressions of his pride: His heart was lifted up, Eze 28:2. He had a great conceit of himself, was puffed up with an opinion of his own sufficiency, and looked with disdain upon all about him. Out of the abundance of the pride of his heart he said, I am a god; he did not only say it in his heart, but had the impudence to speak it out. God has said of princes, They are gods (Psa 82:6); but it does not become them to say so of themselves; it is a high affront to him who is God alone, and will not give his glory to another. He thought that the city of Tyre had as necessary a dependence upon him as the world has upon the God that made it, and that he was himself independent as God and unaccountable to any. He thought himself to have as much wisdom and strength as God himself, and as incontestable an authority, and that his prerogatives were as absolute and his word as much a law as the word of God. He challenged divine honours, and expected to be praised and admired as a god, and doubted not to be deified, among other heroes, after his death as a great benefactor to the world. Thus the king of Babylon said, I will be like the Most High (Isa 14:14), not like the Most Holy. "I am the strong God, and therefore will not be contradicted, because I cannot be controlled. I sit in the seat of God; I sit as high as God, my throne equal with his. D…
Open source ↗28:1-19 The third panel against Tyre (see study note on 26:1–28:19) addresses and condemns its ruler, the prince of Tyre, for his pride. He personifies the city of Tyre, so his fate represents Tyre’s fate. In his arrogance, the prince of Tyre laid claim to divinity and the power that goes with it, asserting that he sat on a divine throne, ruling the chaotic, untamable seas. The reality, however, was otherwise; he was only a man. • This chapter and Isa 14 (about the king of Babylon) have often been interpreted as referring to the heavenly conflict between God and Satan, “the prince of demons” (Matt 12:24). However, this view ignores the historical nature of both passages. Tyre and Babylon were real places and their kings were real men whose great power was matched by great pride. The king of Tyre’s claim to be a god proved hollow. The political powers that oppose God and his people may be agents of Satan in his struggle against God. The sure demise of such human rulers foreshadows God’s ultimate triumph over all the forces of darkness. Every power that sets itself up against the living God will be brought to destruction.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… גָּבַהּ (gâbahh, H1361) — to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מוֹשָׁב (môwshâb, H4186) — a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the…
Open source ↗חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) דָנִיֵּאל (Dânîyêʼl, H1840) — Daniel or Danijel, the name of two Israelites סָתַם (çâtham, H5640) — to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret עָמַם (ʻâmam, H6004) — to associate; by implication, to overshadow (by huddling together)
Open source ↗חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) תָּבוּן (tâbûwn, H8394) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money אוֹצָר (ʼôwtsâr, H214) — a depository
Open source ↗רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) רְכֻלָּה (rᵉkullâh, H7404) — trade (as peddled) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); גָּבַהּ (gâbahh, H1361) — to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… עָרִיץ (ʻârîyts, H6184) — fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… רוּק (rûwq, H7324) — to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. empty חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… יֳפִי (yŏphîy, H3308) — beauty חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… יִפְעָה (yiphʻâh, H3314) — splendor or (figuratively) beauty
Open source ↗יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שַׁחַת (shachath, H7845) — a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill מָמוֹת (mâmôwth, H4463) — a mortal disease; concretely, a corpse חָלָל (châlâl, H2491) — pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane…
Open source ↗מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… עָרֵל (ʻârêl, H6189) — uncircumcised (i.e. still having the prepuce uncurtailed) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH}
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קִינָה (qîynâh, H7015) — a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} חָתַם (châtham, H2856) — to close up; especially to seal תׇּכְנִית (toknîyth, H8508) — admeasurement, i.e. consummation מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4392) — full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness;… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) כָּלִיל (kâlîyl, H3632) — complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb,…
Open source ↗עֵדֶן (ʻÊden, H5731) — Eden, the region of Adam's home גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָקָר (yâqâr, H3368) — valuable (objectively or subjectively) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone מְסֻכָּה (mᵉçukkâh, H4540) — a covering, i.e. garniture אֹדֶם (ʼôdem, H124) — redness, i.e. the ruby, garnet, or some other red gem פִּטְדָה (piṭdâh, H6357) — a gem, probably the topaz יַהֲלֹם (yahălôm, H3095) — a precious stone, probably onyx תַּרְשִׁישׁ (tarshîysh, H8658) — a gem, perhaps the topaz שֹׁהַם (shôham, H7718) — a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color) יָשְׁפֵה (yâshᵉphêh, H3471) — a gem supposed to be jasper (from the resemblance in name) סַפִּיר (çappîyr, H5601) — a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire נֹפֶךְ (nôphek, H5306) — shining; a gem, probably the garnet
Open source ↗מִמְשַׁח (mimshach, H4473) — outspread (i.e. with outstretched wings) כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb, H3742) — a cherub or imaginary figure סָכַךְ (çâkak, H5526) — properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively)… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗