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Book of Ezekiel
Chapter 26
Chapters 26 - 28 give us prophecies against Tyre and Sidon. Tyre and Sidon belong together like ham and eggs. You never think of one without the other. These chapters are a marvelous example of the exactness of the literal fulfillment of prophecy.
Tyre was the capital of the great Phoenician nation which was famous for its seagoing traders. They worked in the Mediterranean and even went beyond that. We know today that they went around the Pillars of Hercules and the Rock of Gibraltar, and into Great Britain, where they obtained tin. They established a colony in North Africa. Tarshish in Spain was founded by these people. They were great colonizers and went a lot farther than we used to think they did in their explorations.
Tyre was a great and proud city. Hiram, king of Tyre, had been a good friend of David and supplied him with building materials. Solomon and Hiram did not get along as well as David and Hiram had. Apparently Hiram was a great king. But, also, the center of Baal worship was there in Tyre and Sidon. Jezebel, the daughter of a king and former priest, married Ahab, king of Israel, and introduced Baal worship into the northern kingdom.
Ezekiel had just finished with those four nations that he set his face against in Chapter 25; for they were not at that time very considerable in the world, nor would their fall make any great noise among the nations nor any figure in history. The city of Tyre is next to come before him, and it is different . . . it is a place of vast trade and was known all over the world, so therefore the next three Chapters, 26, 27, 28, Ezekiel spends predicting the destruction of Tyre. In the Book of Isaiah, we have the burden of Tyre (Isa.23), but it is just barely mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah, as sharing with the natives in the common calamity (Jer.25:22; 27:3; 47:4). But Ezekiel is ordered by the Lord GOD to come down hard upon Tyre. In Chapter 26, first, we have the sin charged against Tyre, which was triumphing in the destruction of Jerusalem (25:2). Second, the destruction of Tyrus itself is foretold: just how extreme this destruction would be: it shall be utterly ruined (26:4-6, 12-14). Third, what the instruments of this destruction would be, many nations (26:3http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Eze+26%3A3), and the king of Babylon by name with his vast victorious army (26:7-11). Fourth, the great surprise that this would give to the neighboring nations, who would all wonder at the fall of so great a city and be shocked at it (26:15-21).
Theme: Judgment against Tyre.
Prophecy against Tyre (26:1-14)
Ezekiel 26:1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (KJV)
And it came to pass in the eleventh year . . . of Jehoiachin's captivity and Zedekiah's reign, the same year that Jerusalem was taken.
The first day of the month . . . that month which followed the taking of Jerusalem, the fifth month; for Jerusalem was taken on the fourth month, ninth day, and in twenty days after the news was brought to Tyrus, which behaved herself as the prophet will declare. What month, is not mentioned; some think the first month, and so it was the first day of the year; others the fourth, the same in which the city of Jerusalem was taken; but more probably the fifth, the first of which was twenty days after the taking it; in which time the news of it might be brought to Tyre, at which she rejoiced; and for which her destruction is threatened, and here prophesied of.
See Jewish calendar in Special Comments at the end of this Chapter.
That the word of the Lord came unto me, saying . . . as follows:
Ezekiel 26:2 Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste: (KJV)
Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha . . . Tyrus, Tyre (Josh.19:29; 2 Sam.24:7), it means the rock, for the rocky island on which the new Tyre was built. The mainland was known as Old Tyre. Today one can still see part of a land bridge of stone and sand constructed by Alexander the Great to connect the two parts of the city when he conquered it in 332 b.c. The two were half a mile apart. New Tyre, the stronger of the two, is the one mainly referred to here. Through much of the first millennium b.c., Tyre was the principal city of Phoenicia, with Sidon rivaling for that honor at times (1 Ki.16:31). As a testimony to its power and defensibility, Nebuchadnezzar held it under siege for thirteen years (29:18). Aha! . . . an expression of joy over the defeat of a rival (25:3; Ps.35:21,25), while mocking one's foe at the same time.
She is broken that was the gates of the people . . . she is Tyre, broken by Nebuchadnezzar’s army; through whose gates the people went in and out in great numbers; a city which was very popular, not only for religion, from all parts, at their solemn feasts, but for merchandise from several parts of the world; and was now full of people before its destruction, the inhabitants of Judea having fled there for safety, upon the invasion made by the king of Babylon; but now the city was broken up, as it is said it was, by the Chaldean army (Jer.52:7), its gates and walls were broken down, and lay in ruins. The Targum is, she is broken down that afforded merchandise to all people.
She is turned unto me . . . either the inhabitants of Jerusalem, which escaped and fled to Tyre for refuge; or the spoil taken out of it, which was carried there to be sold; and even the captives themselves to be sold for slaves, which was one part of the merchandise of Tyre (27:3), or the business, trade, and merchandise carried on in Jerusalem, were brought to Tyre upon its destruction. The Targum is, she is turned to come unto me.
I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste . . . or, I shall be filled with inhabitants, riches, and wealth, with merchants and merchandise, Jerusalem her rival being destroyed; this was what gave her joy; and is a common thing for persons to rejoice at the fall or death of those of the same trade with them; hoping for an increase of theirs by means of it, which still is sinful.
Ezekiel 26:3 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up. (KJV)
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD . . . the Lord GOD knew the thoughts of the inhabitants of Tyre, and what joy was in their hearts, and the words which came from their lips, and who informs the prophet of it, though at a great distance, and declares his resentment at it:
Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus . . . I am against thee . . . when God is against a person or a nation, there is no hope for them. Almighty GOD threatened and assured Tyre that He is against them. Nothing can be more dreadful and fearful than to have Almighty GOD against a nation, city or a person. Tyre was really a type of Antichrist, who will express a similar joy at the death of the witnesses (Rev.11:7-10); thinking that the merchandise of Rome will be increased greatly, and there will be nothing to interrupt it, but God will show His displeasure, and bring sudden destruction on it.
And will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up . . . the Chaldean army was made up of of soldiers of many nations; who for their number, noise and fury, are compared to the raging waves of the sea. So the Targum is, I will bring up against thee an army of many people, as the sea ascendeth in the raging of its waves. The ten kings, in latter days, shall hate the whore, and destroy her, even the very people she reigns over, compared to many waters (Rev.17:15). Just as the sea causes its waves to rise up with continual violence in a storm, swelling in height, and making people fear, so shall the Babylonians come.
Ezekiel 26:4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. (KJV)
And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus . . . undermining them, or breaking them down with their battering rams.
And break down her towers . . . with axes (26:9), built upon the walls; erected for the defense of the city, and for watchmen to stand in (33:6), to look out from them for the enemy, and observe their motions, as well as for soldiers to fight from.
And I will scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock . . . a bare smooth rock, which had no earth upon it. The Targum is, I will give her for the smoothness of an open rock. Tyre was built on rock; where the inhabitants had brought in ground to make gardens and orchards, and plant flowers and trees. This ground would all be removed, and it would become a bare rock again, as it was at first. It means the total destruction of it.
Ezekiel 26:5 It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations. (KJV)
It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea . . . a place for the spreading of nets . . . where only fishermen would be seen washing their nets, and then spreading them upon this rock to dry, for only rock would remain, where Tyre once stood.
For I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD . . . anything that the LORD states, shall certainly come to pass.
And it shall become a spoil to the nations . . . the army of many nations, overwhelmed it for thirteen years under Nebuchadnezzar.
Ezekiel 26:6 And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the LORD. (KJV)
And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword . . . her daughters are most likely the inhabitants of the cities, towns, and villages, on the shore near Tyre, would be slain in the field by the sword . . . on the firm land, or surprised in the fields, or trying to escape.
And they shall know that I am the Lord . . . (25:17) the true GOD, not their gods Hercules or Apollo, or any other idols they worshipped. When Tyre shall see all these things exactly accomplished as prophesied, which none but the all-knowing God could foretell; then they shall know that I am the Lord!
Ezekiel 26:7 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people. (KJV)
For thus saith the Lord GOD . . . this phrase is found 127 times in the Book of Ezekiel.
I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon; I will bring . . . (23:46), Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon having conquered many nations: the LORD says He will bring him against Tyre, because GOD inclined the king’s heart to steer his course this way; encouraged him to this work; led and protected his army; and, gave him success. Tyrus held out thirteen years against him, and then was taken.
A king of kings from the north . . . who had many kings, branches to him; the metropolis of whose kingdom lay somewhat, though not fully, north to Tyre.
With horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people . . . with a very large army, consisted of a large cavalry; horses were very abundant in the countries subject to him; and which he mounted his men on, both for their more easy travelling, and for their better fighting, and for the terror of their enemies.
Ezekiel 26:8 He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee. (KJV)
He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field . . . the first thing Nebuchadrezzar would do would be to destroy the cities, towns and villages near Tyre who were dependent on it (26:6).
And he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee . . . (4:2; 17:17), a fort built of wood, and a mount made of earth, from which stones might be cast out of their engines, and arrows shot from their bows into the city, to damage the houses, and the wound the inhabitants.
And lift up the buckler against thee . . . (23:24), buckler, shield. The Targum paraphrases it, set against thee such who are armed with shields.
Ezekiel 26:9 And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers. (KJV)
And he shall set engines of war against thy walls . . . engines of war, these were mighty engines, whatever form they were made of, and here are described as an irresistible force with which they cast stones, and beat down all before them. Some understand this to be crossbows, out of which stones or arrows were cast; while others think it was a warlike machine invented to throw large stones against the walls to beat them down. Some think they were battering rams (4:2; 21:22) used in sieges for the demolishing of walls; which was a late invention of those times, with Ezekiel seemingly to be the first writer, that mentions them.
And with his axes he shall break down thy towers . . . (16:39) the word here used signifies anything made of iron, as swords, spears, hammers, and axes; the latter, being more proper to demolish towers. The Targum renders it, with stones of iron, meaning iron balls cast out of their engines.
Ezekiel 26:10 By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. (KJV)
By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee . . . the dust was so thick, stirred up by the huge amount of horses, that it shall cover the whole city as a cloud.
Thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots . . . thy walls shall shake . . . from the noise of the horsemen, and many chariots, wagons and wheels of their engines . . . the walls and windows seem to shake, as buildings do with great noise, motion or beating on the ground. New Tyre on the narrow rock in the sea (26:3-5) is referred to; so too here (26:9-11) Old Tyre on the mainland . . . both old and new Tyre are included in the prophecies under one name. . . . . . . . . . https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/tyre/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyre,_Lebanon
When ye shall enter into thy gates . . . there shall then especially be such a shout be made by the horsemen, and such rattling of the chariots, as will even make the walls of the city to shake; indicating the exceptional noise made at their entrance into it. As men enter into the city where an opening was made; or when its walls are broken down, and a gap is made; at which men rush in in great numbers, and with great force and clamor. He shall enter into thy gates . . . Nebuchadnezzar, without fear, shall enter and possess his conquest, which Tyre at last yielded to him after thirteen years’ hard siege.
As men enter into a city wherein is made a breach . . . whose walls are battered and leveled, there is nothing left to defend the citizens, who therefore yield, for then the besieger shall fearlessly enter.
Ezekiel 26:11 With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground. (KJV)
With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets . . . such was the number of horses running up and down the streets, and prancing on the pavements, which broke them up, and destroyed many of them, for the hooves of a multitude of horses can do a lot of damage.
He shall slay thy people by the sword . . . he is Nebuchadnezzar, shall slay the people with the sword; not only the soldiers that are found with weapons but the inhabitants, shall be put to the sword, for the king of Babylon was highly infuriated against them for holding out so long.
And thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground . . . where their soldiers were placed for defense; their citadel and other towers. Strong garrisons . . . strongholds or forts around the city, and too, maybe their triumphal arches built by Tyrians, or statues erected in honor to some famous citizens, or to the kings of Egypt, their ancient allies, enemies to the Chaldeans; or the statues of their gods Hercules and Apollo. Shall go down to the ground . . . all shall be cast down together.
*****This clearly predicts that Nebuchadnezzar will take the city . . . the pronoun he is all through the past section, but now, starting with the next verse the pronoun changes to they. GOD had said that the nations were coming, and here is that prophecy.
Ezekiel 26:12 And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water. (KJV)
And they shall make a spoil of thy riches . . . when the Chaldean army, entered the city, and took possession of it, would plunder it, and divide the riches of it among them.
And make a prey of thy merchandise . . . of the merchants' goods, laid up in their warehouses for sale, which was greatly hindered by this long siege (Rev.18:11-13).
And they shall break down thy walls . . . the walls of their houses; mention being made before of breaking down the walls of the city, towers, and garrisons (26:9-10).
And destroy thy pleasant houses . . . or the most desirable ones in the city; the houses of their princes and chief magistrates; their summer houses; or which were most delightfully situated towards the sea, to have the view and advantage of it.
And they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water . . . of the sea, near to or in it, into which they threw the rubbish of all the demolished houses, stones, timber and dust, and so left Tyre bare.
This answers to the taking of Tyre by Alexander; he actually took the timbers, stones, rubbish, etc. of old Tyre, and filled up the space between it and new Tyre, and thus connected the new Tyre with the main land; and this he was forced to do before he could take it. https://www.ancient.eu/Tyre/
https://www.ancient.eu/article/107/alexanders-siege-of-tyre-332-bce/
Ezekiel 26:13 And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard. (KJV)
And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease . . . since this city abounded with riches, so was the carnal mirth and pleasure of it; it was a joyous city (Isa.23:7), the inhabitants lived joyously and were much given to music, which was very amusing to foreigners that traded with them; but now it would be all over with them; there would be no more songs, nor any to sing them (Isa.23:16). Pleasure mongers shall suffer deeply, by pain of loss and pain of senses.
And the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard . . . no more singing, no more instrumental music; and this will be one day the case of Rome, of which Tyre was a type (Rev.18:22).
Ezekiel 26:14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)
And I will make thee like the top of a rock . . . smooth and bare (26:4).
And thou shall be a place to spread nets upon. . . (26:5).
Thou shalt be built no more . . . if this refers to Nebuchadnezzar's capture of the city, old Tyre must be intended: because that was destroyed by him, and never rebuilt. But it is doubtful whether all of this prophecy refers to the taking of Tyre by Alexander, three hundred years after its capture by Nebuchadnezzar. It may include more recent conquests of this important city. It went through a variety of deviations until 1289, when it and the neighboring towns were sacked and ravaged by the Mamelukes. Mameluke was one of a body of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves converted to Mohammedanism, who, during several centuries, had more or less control of the government of Egypt, until exterminated or dispersed by Mehemet Ali in 1811.
For I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD . . . and therefore it shall be accomplished . . . as it has been; there would be no more of his returning void, with no result. The Targum is, because I the Lord have decreed by my word, saith the Lord God.
*****After a thirteen year siege, Nebuchadnezzar could not conquer the part of Tyre located on the island; thus, certain parts of the description in (26:12, 14) may exceed the actual damage done to Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. But the prophecy predicted exactly what would happen to the island settlement (New Tyre) later during the conquests of Alexander the Great. Alexander threw the rubble of the mainland city into the sea until it made a bridge to the island. Then he marched across the bridge and destroyed the island (332 B.C.). Today the island city is still a pile of rubble, a testimony to GOD'S judgment.
Prophecy Fulfilled (26:15-21)
When they would consider just how high and how great Tyre had been, and afterwards see how low Tyre was made, the fall of others nearby would be awakened out of their security. Every time I see the fulfilment of a Bible prophecy, is like a miracle that confirms my faith. All that is worldly is vanity and frustration. One thing we see in this is that those who now have the most established prosperity, will soon be far out of sight and forgotten.
Ezekiel 26:15 Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyrus; Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee? (KJV)
Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyrus . . . by His prophet, who most likely delivered this prophecy to the ambassadors of Tyre at Babylon; or to some of their merchants that traded there; or sent it in a letter to them.
Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall . . . when they hear the noise of Tyre being taken, it will make them tremble, fearing their turn will be next . . . for IF a city so well fortified and so well supplied with men and money, that had held out the siege for so long, would at last surrender . . . what chance would they have? These neighboring isles, if attacked, were so inferior to Tyre. The Targum renders it, the suburbs; and another writer, the villages; those that were close to Tyre.
When the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee? . . . on the enemy's entrance, putting to the sword all they meet with; when those that are wounded shall cry, either to have their lives spared, or through the pain and distress occasioned by their wounds. All the isles which had traded with Tyre, which was the grand market at that time, and on which they all depended. Tyre’s ruin involved them all, and caused general wailing.
Ezekiel 26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee. (KJV)
Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones . . . the princes of the sea . . . the chief maritime countries, such as Leptis, Utica, Carthage, Gades, etc. who were lords of the islands in that sea, and who traded with Tyrus. Shall come down from their thrones . . . in great sadness and concern. The kings of the islands of the sea shall lay aside all their royal splendor, and leaving their thrones, would sit in humility.
And lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments . . . their royal robes and raiment of needlework curiously embroidered (16:13), and richly wrought, such as princes wear; so did the king of Nineveh in token of humiliation (Jonah 3:6). Some versions understand the first clause of their taking their mitres, or diadems, from their heads.
They shall clothe themselves with trembling . . . they shall tremble from head to foot in every joint, as if they were covered with it, as with a garment.
They shall sit upon the ground . . . as Job did, and his friends, with dust and ashes on their heads, as persons in distress were accustomed to do (Job 2:8).
And shall tremble at every moment . . . constantly, every hour, every minute of the day . . . fearing lest the same would be done to them that happened to Tyre. The Targum is, because of their breaches; or at their ruin and destruction they fear would be their case too.
And be astonished at thee . . . that a city so wealthy and mighty as Trye could be brought so low (Rev.18:9).
Ezekiel 26:17 And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it! (KJV)
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say unto thee . . . they, the princes of the sea (26:16). Take up a lamentation for thee . . . soberly, heartily and for many days bewail thee.
How art thou destroyed that wast inhabited of seafaring men . . . or, of the seas, by men who used the seas, and traded by sea to different parts of the world; and were visited by persons that came by sea there, by the great ocean, by the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and others; or, which was surrounded by the sea. Tyre was the renowned city, which was strong in the sea; fortified by the sea, and strong in shipping and naval stores; so as to be forbidding to others, and mistress of the sea. The Targum is, which dwell in the strength of the sea.
She and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it! . . . on all that used the seas; or on all the inhabitants of the islands of the sea; who all stood in fear of Tyre and her inhabitants, and were obliged to strike their sails to their ships.
Ezekiel 26:18 Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure. (KJV)
Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall . . . the isles near Tyre, the isles of the Mediterranean sea (26:15); the inhabitants of them, the merchants who from thence traded with Tyre, the seafaring men of those places; partly because of losses sustained there, and partly because of fear that the same disasters coming upon themselves (Rev.18:11). The isles that are in the sea shall indeed be very troubled and shudder at Tyre’s departure: at the cry of the wounded, at the number of the ones killed; and at the those that were carried away captive by Babylon, as well as at the departure of those that would be forced to fly to other colonies (Isa. 23:6), so that after one calamity after another, Tyre shall be completely stripped of its inhabitants. Tremble, thinking that nothing can stand if Tyre fell, and that they are in danger too.
Yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure . . . troubled, grieved and stunned; they mourn her downfall, because they feared a similar fate. Troubled at thy departure; leaving their ancient home, which from oldest ages their people had enjoyed with liberty, now to go into captivity (29:18). It seems that when the people of Tyre saw no hope of escaping, they fled to Carthage or some islands of the Ionian and Aegean Seas. One explains departure as in the day when hostages shall be carried away from Tyre to Babylon.
Ezekiel 26:19 For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee; (KJV)
For thus saith the Lord GOD . . . both to the terror of Tyre, and for the comfort of His people.
When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited . . . whose trade is ruined, whose inhabitants are destroyed, and whose walls are broken down, and become an absolute waste and desert; where no person or anything of value are to be seen.
When I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and the great waters shall cover thee . . . the waters of the sea shall rush in and overflow the city, because the walls of Tyre now being broken down; just as the old world, and the cities of it, were overflowed with the deluge (Gen.7:19-20), to which the reference may be. Whether this was actually accomplished on Tyre is not certain; maybe this is to be taken in a symbolic sense, and to be understood that the large army of the Chaldeans that would come up against it, and overpower it. The Targum is, when I shall bring up against them an army of people, who are many as the waters of the deep, and many people shall cover thee. Rev.17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (KJV) . . . It could be that the great waters shall cover thee is the vast army of Nebuchadnezzar, for waters is a symbol of many people. Waters = people (Isa.8:7-8; 17:12; Jer.47:2; Rev.17:1, 15). The ruins of the best parts of ancient Tyre are now under water. She shall be irrecoverably lost, as places drowned, and never seen any more
Ezekiel 26:20 When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living; (KJV)
When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit . . . when the LORD shall bring thee down, He will destroy them, slay them, and bury them, throwing them into the grave. Descend into the pit . . . Tyre’s disappearance is compared to that of the dead placed in their sepulchres (graves) and no more seen among the living (32:18, 23; also: Isa.14:11, 15, 19).
With the people of old time . . . either the people of the old world, or those who have been dead long ago.
And shall set thee in the low parts of the earth . . . where the dead are laid.
In places desolate of old . . . long ago neglected by men; as such places are for the burial of the dead.
With them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited . . . it seems this means that that the condition of Tyre’s inhabitants would be like that of dead men, who have been of old dead, and are remembered no more. One interprets the pit, of Hell; as if this respected their everlasting condition, as well as their temporal ruin. This may also be applied to the beast which goeth into perdition (Rev.17:8).
And I shall set glory in the land of the living . . . the Targum is, in the land of Israel; and it is interpreted by the Jewish expositors and others the same way; and which may be called the land of the living; because the living God was worshipped in it; living men in a spiritual sense dwelt there, who offered up living sacrifices unto God, and who had the promise and pledge of eternal life; and which was the glory of all lands, as it is sometimes called, where the same word is used as here, which had its accomplishment in some respects at the Jews' return from Babylon; but, since Tyre here is a type of Antichrist, it may be considered, that, at the time of Tyre’s fall and destruction, God will put a glory upon His church and His people, upon which there shall be a defense (Isa.4:5). Land of the living: (26:20; 32:23-27, 32). Glory of all lands: (20:6, 15).
And I shall set glory in the land of the living . . . in direct contrast to Tyre being consigned to the pit [death], I shall set glory (GOD’S Presence symbolized by the Shekinah cloud, Ex.13:21), the symbol to which shall be the Messiah, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father (Isa.4:2, 5; Zec.6:13; Jn.1:14), in Judah. Judea is to be the land of national and spiritual life, being restored after its captivity (47:9). Glory of God, Shekinah: (Eze.1:28; 3:12, 23; 8:4; 9:3; 10:19; 11:22-23; 39:21; 43:2, 4-5; 44:4). See: What is Shekinah Glory, in the Index of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 26:21 I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)
I will make thee a terror . . . a terror, the LORD would utterly consume them; a terror to all the isles round about, who shall shake and tremble at the ruin of Tyre, being brought into a most awful and anxious condition.
And thou shall be no more . . . (26:14), no signs of it on the rock where once it once stood. Rich, populous, potent, wise, renowned Tyre, as once thou wast, shalt never more be found.
Though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD . . . the rich, populous, potent, wise, renowned Tyre, as once they were, shall never more be found. This is also true of the antitype [symbol], Babylon, or Antichrist (Rev.18:21).
*****Now this prophecy waited centuries for fulfillment. For three hundred years the ruins of Tyre lay there, and they were very impressive. Although Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the city, this second prophecy had not been fulfilled. WHO was it who was going to take up the stones and even scrape the dust into the ocean? Finally out of the west, there comes Alexander the Great, symbolized as the he goat in Daniel's prophecy (Dan.8:5, 8).
http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_daniel_ch8.htm
After the Tyrians returned from Babylonian captivity, they decided to rebuild their city on an island and forget the mainland. Since they were a seafaring power, they could better protect themselves on an island. When Alexander got there, he saw the ruins of the old city, but the inhabited new city was out in the sea, on the island out of his reach. But he had lots of time and lots of soldiers, so he decided to build a ramp out to the new city. What did he use to construct this roadway . . . way out there in the ocean? He took the ruins of the old destroyed Tyre: the stones, pillars, wood and even the dust of the city, and built a causeway over which his army marched right into the new city of Tyre. He destroyed the city, and from that day to this it has never been rebuilt.
Dear one, this is a remarkable prophecy! There are some critics who try to explain away the prophecy regarding Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the city by saying that Ezekiel wrote it AFTER it had happened, BUT it is impossible for them to claim that Ezekiel wrote AFTER Alexander the Great! Only the Almighty Lord GOD can prophesy with such accuracy as what happened! Ezekiel's prophecy, given to him by the Lord GOD Himself, was literally fulfilled. You cannot look at the ruins of Tyre and say that the Word of GOD is guesswork. Sidon is still there, but Tyre is gone. No one has tried to rebuild it. GOD'S Word tells us that Tyre will never be rebuilt. If you think or say that Tyre can be rebuild, you are contradicting the Holy Word of GOD.
Special Comments
The Jewish calendar has the following months:
1. Nissan 30 days March-April
2. Iyar 29 days April-May
3. Sivan 30 days May-June
4. Tammuz 30 days June-July
5. Av 30 days July-August
6. Elul 29 days August-September
7. Tishri 30 Days September-October
8. Cheshvan 29 or 30 days October-November
9. Kishlev 30 0r 29 days November-December
10. Tevet 29 days December-January
11. Shevat 30 Days January-February
12. Adar I (leap years only) 30 days February-March
13. Adar (leap years only) 29 days February-March
Book of Ezekiel
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