# Overview Ezekiel Chapter 26 contains a prophetic message against the city of #Tyre, delivered by the prophet #Ezekiel. The chapter opens with a word from the LORD directed towards Tyre, a prosperous and powerful city located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The prophecy is given in response to Tyre's rejoicing at the downfall of #Jerusalem, believing that her own fortunes would improve as a result. God declares through Ezekiel that Tyre will face destruction and devastation, as many nations will come against her like waves of the sea. The LORD specifically names #Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, as the instrument of Tyre's downfall. The prophecy details the siege and destruction that will come upon Tyre, including the dismantling of her walls and towers, leaving her a bare rock where fishermen will spread their nets. The chapter continues with a vivid description of the consequences of Tyre's impending destruction, emphasizing the complete desolation and loss of her wealth and power. The LORD proclaims that Tyre's once-celebrated harbors and renowned trade will be no more, and her cities will never be rebuilt. The surrounding nations will tremble at the news of Tyre's fall, and the echoes of her demise will serve as a testament to the sovereignty and judgment of #God. This prophecy highlights the themes of divine retribution and the futility of pride and reliance on earthly riches, demonstrating that no kingdom or city, regardless of its strength or wealth, can stand against the will of the Almighty. ## Theological Insights Ezekiel 26 is a prophetic declaration against the city of #Tyre, highlighting the sovereignty and judgment of #God over the nations. The chapter illustrates the theme of divine retribution and the fulfillment of God's word through the prophetic ministry of #Ezekiel. This judgment against Tyre serves as a reminder of God's control over history and nations, emphasizing His holiness and justice. The prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 26 underscores God’s response to human pride and arrogance. Tyre is depicted as a city that rejoices over the misfortunes of #Jerusalem, displaying a lack of compassion and an attitude of self-exaltation (Ezekiel 26:2). This mirrors the broader biblical theme that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, as seen in other scriptures such as [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 16|Proverbs 16:18]] and [[James/James Chapter 4|James 4:6]]. The destruction of Tyre is foretold with vivid imagery, indicating not only the physical downfall of the city but also the spiritual lesson that no power is secure apart from God. The prophecy speaks of many nations coming against Tyre like the waves of the sea (Ezekiel 26:3), which can be compared to the prophecy against Egypt in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 29|Ezekiel 29:10-11]], showing that God’s judgment is comprehensive and unavoidable. The mention of #Nebuchadnezzar, king of #Babylon, as the instrument of Tyre's destruction (Ezekiel 26:7) highlights the biblical theme of God using earthly rulers to accomplish His divine purposes. This is reminiscent of God using Assyria as "the rod of His anger" against Israel in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 10|Isaiah 10:5-6]], demonstrating that God can use even those who do not acknowledge Him to fulfill His plans. Finally, Ezekiel 26 concludes with a lament for Tyre, emphasizing the suddenness and totality of its downfall (Ezekiel 26:19-21). This evokes the lamentation over Babylon in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 18|Revelation 18]], where the fall of a great city is depicted as a warning and a call to God’s people to remain faithful and humble. The imagery of the sea and the mourning of the merchants (Ezekiel 26:16-17) further connects to the eschatological themes of judgment and redemption found throughout scripture. Through these theological insights, Ezekiel 26 serves as a reminder of God’s ultimate authority and the certainty of His prophetic word, encouraging believers to trust in His justice and live in humility before Him. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Judgment Against Nations In Ezekiel 26, the theme of divine judgment is prominently displayed in the prophecy against #Tyre. This connects with other instances in the #OldTestament where God pronounces judgment against nations due to their pride, sin, or opposition to #Israel. Similar judgments can be seen in prophecies against #Egypt in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 19]] and #Babylon in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 50]]. These connections highlight God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to hold them accountable for their actions. ### The Pride and Fall of Nations The chapter underscores the theme of pride leading to downfall, as God condemns Tyre for its arrogance and rejoicing over Jerusalem's destruction. This theme resonates with the fall of #Babylon in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 14]], where pride leads to divine humiliation, and with #Nebuchadnezzar's humbling in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 4]]. Such connections illustrate a biblical principle that pride precedes destruction, reinforcing the importance of humility before God. ### The Sovereignty of God Ezekiel 26 emphasizes God's control over historical events, as He predicts the siege and destruction of Tyre by #Nebuchadnezzar, the king of #Babylon. This theme of divine sovereignty is echoed throughout Scripture, notably in the stories of God's deliverance of #Israel from #Egypt in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 14]] and His orchestration of events in the book of [[Esther/Esther Chapter 4]]. These narratives affirm that God orchestrates the affairs of nations according to His purpose. ### The Fulfillment of Prophecy The specific prophecies concerning the destruction of Tyre serve as a testament to the theme of prophecy and fulfillment. This theme is central throughout the Bible, as seen in the fulfillment of the promise to #Abraham and #Sarah regarding Isaac in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 21]], and the coming of the #Messiah, as prophesied in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53]]. Such connections emphasize God’s faithfulness to His word and His ability to bring about His declared outcomes. ### The Warning to Nations Ezekiel 26 serves as a warning to nations that oppose God's will or delight in the downfall of His people. This theme of warning is also present in the prophecies against #Moab in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 15]] and #Edom in [[Obadiah/Obadiah Chapter 1]]. These warnings serve as reminders of the consequences of antagonism toward God and His chosen people, urging repentance and alignment with God’s purposes. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### Judgment upon Tyre Ezekiel 26 contains a prophecy against the city of #Tyre, detailing its impending destruction. This prophecy aligns with earlier biblical themes of divine judgment upon nations that defy God. The prophetic word against Tyre is an extension of God's sovereignty over the nations, as seen in other judgments pronounced in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 23]] and [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 47]] concerning Tyre and Sidon. The prophecy in Ezekiel 26 foretells that many nations, like the waves of the sea, would come against Tyre, and ultimately, its destruction would come at the hands of #Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This fulfillment of prophecy underscores God’s control and faithfulness in executing justice against those who oppose His people, much like the earlier judgments on cities such as [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 25|Jerusalem]] and [[Amos/Amos Chapter 1|Damascus]]. ### Desolation and Ruin The prophecy predicts that Tyre will become a "bare rock" and a place for "spreading nets" (Ezekiel 26:4-5). This desolation parallels the fate of other cities and nations judged by God, such as the destruction of #Babylon as foretold in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 13]] and [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 18]]. The imagery of total ruin and obliteration serves as a stark reminder of God's power to bring low the proud and mighty. Such prophetic fulfillments reinforce the biblical theme of divine retribution and the transient nature of earthly power in contrast to God’s eternal kingdom. ### The Fall of Pride Tyre's fall is emblematic of the biblical theme of the downfall of the proud, as seen in the fate of #Egypt in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 32]] and #Assyria in [[Nahum/Nahum Chapter 3]]. The city's wealth and strategic coastal location had led to pride and self-reliance, similar to the pride condemned in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 14]] concerning the king of Babylon. Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre becomes a fulfillment of God's pronouncement against arrogance and self-exaltation, highlighting the biblical principle that "pride goes before destruction" as stated in [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 16|Proverbs 16:18]]. ### The Sovereign Lord's Declaration The repeated phrase "I am the Lord" throughout Ezekiel 26 underscores the fulfillment of the prophecy as a demonstration of God's sovereignty. This declaration is a recurring theme in Ezekiel and other prophetic books, emphasizing that God is the ultimate authority over nations and history. The fulfillment of the prophecy against Tyre is a testament to the truth and reliability of God's word, similar to the assured judgments and promises found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 46]] and [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 4]]. Through these fulfillments, God’s supremacy and His plan for justice and restoration are affirmed. ## Verses - **Ezekiel 26:1** - "On February 3, during the twelfth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:" - #KingJehoiachin #Captivity #Prophecy - Reference to Jehoiachin's captivity can also be found in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 24]]. - **Ezekiel 26:2** - "“Son of man, Tyre has rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Ha! She who was the gateway to the rich trade routes to the east has been broken, and I am the heir! Because she has been made desolate, I will become wealthy!’" - #SonOfMan #Tyre #Jerusalem #TradeRoutes - The fall of #Jerusalem is a significant event mentioned in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 25]]. - **Ezekiel 26:3** - "“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am your enemy, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the waves of the sea crashing against your shoreline." - #SovereignLord #Tyre #Nations - **Ezekiel 26:4** - "They will destroy the walls of Tyre and tear down its towers. I will scrape away its soil and make it a bare rock!" - #Walls #Towers #Destruction - **Ezekiel 26:5** - "It will be just a rock in the sea, a place for fishermen to spread their nets. For I have spoken, says the Sovereign Lord. Tyre will become the prey of many nations," - #Rock #Fishermen #SovereignLord - **Ezekiel 26:6** - "and its mainland villages will be destroyed by the sword. Then they will know that I am the Lord." - #MainlandVillages #Sword #Lord - **Ezekiel 26:7** - "“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: From the north I will bring King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon against Tyre. He is king of kings and brings his horses, chariots, charioteers, and great army." - #SovereignLord #KingNebuchadnezzar #Babylon #Army - King Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns are also noted in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 39]]. - **Ezekiel 26:8** - "First, he will destroy your mainland villages. Then he will attack you by building a siege wall, constructing a ramp, and raising a roof of shields against you." - #Siege #Ramp #Shields - **Ezekiel 26:9** - "He will pound your walls with battering rams and demolish your towers with sledgehammers." - #BatteringRams #Sledgehammers - **Ezekiel 26:10** - "The hooves of his horses will choke the city with dust, and the noise of the charioteers and chariot wheels will shake your walls as they storm through your gates." - #Horses #Chariots #Walls - **Ezekiel 26:11** - "His horsemen will trample through every street in the city. They will butcher your people, and your strong pillars will topple." - #Horsemen #Pillars - **Ezekiel 26:12** - "They will plunder all your riches and merchandise and break down your walls. They will destroy your lovely homes and dump your stones and timbers and even your dust into the sea." - #Plunder #Riches #Merchandise - **Ezekiel 26:13** - "I will stop the music of your songs. No more will the sound of harps be heard among your people." - #Music #Harps - **Ezekiel 26:14** - "I will make your city a bare rock and a place for fishermen to spread their nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the Lord, have spoken. Yes, the Sovereign Lord has spoken!" - #BareRock #Fishermen #Lord - **Ezekiel 26:15** - "“This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Tyre: The whole coastline will tremble at the sound of your fall, as the screams of the wounded echo in the continuing slaughter." - #Coastline #Fall - **Ezekiel 26:16** - "All the seaport rulers will step down from their thrones and take off their royal robes and beautiful clothing. They will sit on the ground, trembling with horror at your destruction." - #Seaports #Rulers #Destruction - **Ezekiel 26:17** - "Then they will wail for you, singing this funeral song: ‘O famous island city, once ruler of the sea, how you have been destroyed! Your people, with their naval power, once spread terror around the world." - #IslandCity #NavalPower - **Ezekiel 26:18** - "Now the coastlands tremble at your fall. The islands are dismayed as you disappear." - #Coastlands #Islands - **Ezekiel 26:19** - "“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will make Tyre an uninhabited ruin, like many others. I will bury you beneath the terrible waves of enemy attack." - #Uninhabited #Ruin - **Ezekiel 26:20** - "I will send you to the pit to join those who descended there long ago. Your city will lie in ruins, buried beneath the earth, like those in the pit who have entered the world of the dead." - #Pit #WorldOfTheDead - **Ezekiel 26:21** - "I will bring you to a terrible end, and you will exist no more. You will be looked for, but you will never again be found. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”" - #End #SovereignLord