Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 28

Verses 1-26

§ 2. Tyre (and Sidon) (Ezekiel 26-28)

Tyre was the capital of Phoenicia, the seaboard country on the NW. of Palestine. The Phoenicians were the great mariners of the ancient world, and Tyre was a famous seaport, renowned for its wealth and splendour. It joined in the league against Nebuchadrezzar, and was besieged by him for thirteen years (597-584 b.c.). See Intro. Ezekiel predicts its overthrow in three prophecies, one in general terms (Ezekiel 26), one describing Tyre under the figure of a gallant ship (Ezekiel 27), and one directed specially against the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:1-19). Zidon (or Sidon) was another Phoenician seaport, about 20 m. N. of Tyre; which was its younger rival. It also joined in the league against Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3), and its downfall too is predicted by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 28:20-26). Part of the language of these chapters is reproduced in Revelation 18.

Verses 1-19

The King of Tyre

The overweening pride of the prince of Tyre, which has led him to claim to be a god, is rebuked, and his destruction by strangers is foretold (Ezekiel 28:1-10). He is compared to an inmate of Eden, the garden of God, who is cast out for his sin (Ezekiel 28:11-19).

2. The prince of Tyrus] the king of Tyre at this time was Ithobalus (Ethbaal) II.

3. Daniel] a type of wisdom here, as of righteousness in Ezekiel 14:14, Ezekiel 14:20. Ezekiel’s references to Daniel suggest a sage of ancient times rather than a youthful contemporary in Babylonia.

7. Strangers] the Babylonians.

10. Deaths of the uncirçumcised] a phrase for an ignominious end. So in Ezekiel 31:18; Ezekiel 32:19, Ezekiel 32:21, Ezekiel 32:25, Ezekiel 32:32.

12. Thou sealest, etc.] an obscure phrase, alluding in some way to the wisdom of the king of Tyre.

13. Thou hast been (RV ’wast’) in Eden, etc.] Ezekiel here evidently refers to a legend similar to the story of the Fall in Genesis 3. His use of it seems to indicate that in his day it had not been fixed in the biblical form.

Every precious stone] the stones mentioned are the same as those in the first, second, and fourth rows of stones on the high priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20). Gold.. tabrets.. pipes] rather, ’of gold was the workmanship of thy sockets and grooves,’ referring to the setting of the precious stones.

14. Thou art (RV ’wast’) the anointed cherub] more probably, ’thou wast with the.. cherub.’ The holy mountain] another phrase for the garden of God.

16. I will destroy (RV ’have destroyed’) thee, O covering cherub] more probably, ’the covering cherub hath destroyed thee,’ i.e. expelled thee. As it stands the passage describes the fall of a cherub, but the alternative renderings in Ezekiel 28:14-16 bring it more into line with Genesis 3, the cherub being the guardian of the garden, and the prince of Tyre a privileged inmate of it, who is driven out for the sin of pride.

Verses 20-26

God’s Judgment on Sidon

Sidon, the partner of Tyre in opposing Nebuchadrezzar, will be its partner in destruction (Ezekiel 28:20-23). The overthrow of the heathen nations will vindicate the supreme power of the God of Israel, will prepare the way for His people’s restoration to their own land, and will ensure their security and peace in the future (Ezekiel 28:24-26). These last vv. have an important bearing on the significance of all Ezekiel’s prophecies against the nations.