Ezekiel 28:7-17

7 I will bring ruthless enemies to attack you. They will destroy all the beautiful things you have acquired by skill and wisdom.

8 They will kill you and send you to a watery grave.

9 When they come to kill you, will you still claim that you are a god? When you face your murderers, you will be mortal and not at all divine.

10 You will die like a dog at the hand of godless foreigners. I, the Sovereign Lord, have given the command."

11 The Lord spoke to me again.

12 "Mortal man," he said, "grieve for the fate that is waiting for the king of Tyre. Tell him what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying: You were once an example of perfection. How wise and handsome you were!

13 You lived in Eden, the garden of God, and wore gems of every kind: rubies and diamonds; topaz, beryl, carnelian, and jasper; sapphires, emeralds, and garnets. You had ornaments of gold. They were made for you on the day you were created.

14 I put a terrifying angel there to guard you. You lived on my holy mountain and walked among sparkling gems.

15 Your conduct was perfect from the day you were created until you began to do evil.

16 You were busy buying and selling, and this led you to violence and sin. So I forced you to leave my holy mountain, and the angel who guarded you drove you away from the sparkling gems.

17 You were proud of being handsome, and your fame made you act like a fool. Because of this I hurled you to the ground and left you as a warning to other kings.

Ezekiel 28:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 28

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of the prince of Tyre; a lamentation for the king of Tyre; a denunciation of judgments on Zidon, and a promise of peace and safety to Israel. The order given the prophet to prophesy of the ruin of the prince of Tyre, Eze 28:1,2, the cause of his ruin, his pride on account of his wisdom and riches, which rose to such a pitch, as to make himself God, Eze 28:2-6, the manner in which his destruction shall be accomplished, Eze 28:7-10, the lamentation for the king of Tyre begins Eze 28:11,12, setting forth his former grandeur and dignity, Eze 28:13-15, his fall, and the cause of it, injustice and violence in merchandise, pride because of beauty and wisdom, and profanation of sanctuaries, Eze 28:16-19, next follow the judgments on Zidon, Eze 28:20-23, and the chapter is concluded with a promise of the restoration of the Jews to their own land, and of great tranquillity and safety in it, Eze 28:24-26.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Probable text] They were made for you; [Hebrew unclear.]
• [b]. [One ancient translation] I put . . . you; [Hebrew unclear.]