Ezekiel Chapter 28 — The Fall of Tyre and Promise to Israel
Ezekiel delivers a message of judgment against the leaders of Tyre for their extreme pride and prophecies the restoration of the house of Israel.
1The LORD’s word came again to me, saying,
2“Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘The Lord GOD says:
3behold, you are wiser than Daniel.
4By your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten yourself riches,
5By your great wisdom
6“ ‘therefore the Lord GOD says:
7therefore, behold, I will bring strangers on you,
8They will bring you down to the pit.
9Will you yet say before him who kills you, ‘I am God’?
10You will die the death of the uncircumcised
11Moreover the LORD’s word came to me, saying,
12“Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, ‘The Lord GOD says:
13You were in Eden,
14You were the anointed cherub who covers.
15You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created,
16By the abundance of your commerce, your insides were filled with violence,
17Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty.
18By the multitude of your iniquities,
19All those who know you among the peoples will be astonished at you.
20The LORD’s word came to me, saying,
21“Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against it,
22and say, ‘The Lord GOD says:
23For I will send pestilence into her,
24“ ‘ “There will no longer be a pricking brier to the house of Israel, nor a hurting thorn of any that are around them that scorned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.”
25“ ‘The Lord GOD says: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am shown as holy among them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob.
26They will dwell in it securely. Yes, they will build houses, plant vineyards, and will dwell securely when I have executed judgments on all those around them who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.” ’ ”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Ezekiel 28:2
“Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am God,’... yet you are a man, and not God.”’”
This verse highlights the core theme of human pride claiming divine status through wealth and wisdom.
Ezekiel 28:25
“When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am shown as holy among them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob.”
This verse transitions from judgment on foreign nations to the promise of restoration and security for God's people.
Chapter Summary
Ezekiel 28 contains three distinct messages from the Lord. First, a prophecy is directed at the prince of Tyre, rebuking his arrogance for claiming to be a god despite being a mere man. His wealth and wisdom led to pride, resulting in his downfall at the hands of foreign nations. Second, a lamentation is raised for the king of Tyre, describing a figure once perfect in beauty and stationed in Eden, who fell due to unrighteousness and violence in trade. Third, a prophecy is spoken against Sidon, declaring God's judgment through pestilence and the sword to manifest His holiness. The chapter concludes with a hopeful promise for Israel: God will gather them from the nations, allowing them to dwell securely in their own land once their scornful neighbors have been judged, manifesting His holiness before the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The prince of Tyre is the ruler of the Phoenician city-state known for its maritime trade and wealth. In this chapter, he is rebuked for his arrogance and for claiming to be a god because of his great riches and wisdom.
The reference to Eden describes the king's former state of perfection, beauty, and privilege. It serves as a metaphorical comparison to illustrate how far the ruler fell from his original glory due to sin and pride.
The prophecy against Sidon demonstrates that God's judgment extends to all neighboring nations that treated Israel with contempt. By executing judgment, God reveals His holiness and sovereignty to the surrounding world.
God promises to gather the house of Israel from the nations where they were scattered. He declares that they will dwell securely in their own land, building houses and planting vineyards, free from the scorn of their neighbors.
Study Note
The description of the king of Tyre in verses 12-19 uses highly symbolic language involving precious stones and cherubim, reflecting his immense earthly status and subsequent fall.
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