Ezekiel 26 Study Notes

The root in other languages denotes “attack,” “tear down,” “destroy,” and “break to pieces.” Haras describes tearing down fortresses (Mc 5:11), altars (Jdg 6:25). Sixteen times it indicates demolishing objects: foundations (Ezk 30:4), towers (Ezk 26:4), walls, idols, cities, and nations. Ten times it is the antonym of banah (“build, build up,” Pr 11:11). Five times it occurs with synonymous natats (“tear down,” Jr 1:10). God overthrows adversaries (Ex 15:7) and knocks out teeth (Ps 58:6). People destroy cities (2Kg 3:25) and demolish mounds (Ezk 16:39). Mountains are demolished (Ezk 38:20). Haras can indicate states rather than actions: granaries are broken down (Jl 1:17), and walls are ruined (Pr 24:31). Haras connotes secondary ideas: someone is ousted from his position (Is 22:19). If Israelites break through to look at God, he will break out against them (Ex 19:21,24). Hariysah (Am 9:11) and hariysut (Is 49:19) denote ruins.

26:15-18 The princes of the sea are the rulers of islands and coastal lands with which Tyre had traded.

26:19 With these words (when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you) the Lord threatened Tyre with a judgment reminiscent of the Genesis flood (Gn 6-8).

26:20-21 The phrase the Pit is a figurative way of expressing death. It is virtually synonymous with the grave (Pr 1:12; Is 14:15; 38:18).