Ezekiel 28

Passage overview

In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 28 records a prophecy of God’s judgment against the ruler of Tyre and against Sidon. This chapter highlights that Tyre was well known at the time for its prosperity and pride, and it emphasizes that all nations and kingdoms are under God’s sovereignty.

1verseThe LORD’s word came again to me, saying,

2verse“Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the middle of the seas;’ yet you are man, and no god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god—

3versebehold, you are wiser than Daniel. There is no secret that is hidden from you.

4verseBy your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten yourself riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasuries.

5verseBy your great wisdom and by your trading you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches—”

6verse“‘therefore the Lord GOD says: “Because you have set your heart as the heart of God,

7versetherefore, behold, I will bring strangers on you, the terrible of the nations. They will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom. They will defile your brightness.

8verseThey will bring you down to the pit. You will die the death of those who are slain in the heart of the seas.

9verseWill you yet say before him who kills you, ‘I am God’? But you are man, and not God, in the hand of him who wounds you.

10verseYou will die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers; for I have spoken it,” says the Lord GOD.’”

11verseMoreover the LORD’s word came to me, saying,

12verse“Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, ‘The Lord GOD says: “You were the seal of full measure, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

13verseYou were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Gold work of tambourines and of pipes was in you. They were prepared in the day that you were created.

14verseYou were the anointed cherub who covers. Then I set you up on the holy mountain of God. You have walked up and down in the middle of the stones of fire.

15verseYou were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you.

16verseBy the abundance of your commerce, your insides were filled with violence, and you have sinned. Therefore I have cast you as profane out of God’s mountain. I have destroyed you, covering cherub, from the middle of the stones of fire.

17verseYour heart was lifted up because of your beauty. You have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I have cast you to the ground. I have laid you before kings, that they may see you.

18verseBy the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your commerce, you have profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought out a fire from the middle of you. It has devoured you. I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all those who see you.

19verseAll those who know you among the peoples will be astonished at you. You have become a terror, and you will exist no more.”’”

20verseThe LORD’s word came to me, saying,

21verse“Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against it,

22verseand say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Behold, I am against you, Sidon. I will be glorified among you. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have executed judgments in her, and am sanctified in her.

23verseFor I will send pestilence into her, and blood into her streets. The wounded will fall within her, with the sword on her on every side. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

24verse“‘“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.”

25verse“‘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.

26verseThey 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.”’”

Structure and Flow

28:1-10Prophecy of judgment against the king of Tyre. Points out the king’s pride and human limitations.
28:11-19A more poetic portrayal of the king of Tyre. Expresses sorrow and misery as a being who has fallen from its original place (glory).
28:20-24Prophecy concerning Sidon. It proclaims that Sidon, too, will suffer because of God’s judgment.
28:25-26A promise of Israel’s restoration. God promises that he will ultimately protect and restore his people.

The Meaning of the Whole Chapter

This chapter warns, on the one hand, how dangerous human pride is. The king of Tyre claimed to be a god, but he is judged because he failed to recognize that he is ultimately a created being. It also shows God’s sovereignty and the fulfillment of God’s justice within the flow of history through the destruction of neighboring nations. Finally, at the end of the message of judgment, it adds the hope of Israel’s restoration, revealing that God is still caring for his people.

Meditation Points

  • In our own lives as well, we need to reflect on whether we are boasting in our strength, knowledge, success, and pride.
  • We should engrave in our hearts that the world’s prosperity and stability are not eternal. Take time to meditate and consider that behind every era of history, God’s will is at work.
  • Do not forget that even within judgment there is God’s restoration and mercy.

Apply It to Me

  • Let us reflect on where my position and abilities come from, and whether I live with gratitude in a humble heart.
  • Let us pray as well, that we may have the courage to live by trusting in God’s restoration and grace even amid hardship and uncertainty.