Study Desk

Then the word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, turn your face toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them.^(a)

Say to the Ammonites: Hear the word of the Lord God : This is what the Lord God says: Because you said, ‘Good!'^(b) about My sanctuary when it was desecrated, about the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and about the house of Judah when they went into exile,

therefore I am about to give you to the people of the east as a possession. They will set up their encampments and pitch their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk.

I will make Rabbah a pasture^(c) for camels and Ammon a sheepfold. Then you will know that I am Yahweh."

For this is what the Lord God says: "Because you clapped your hands,^(d) stamped your feet, and rejoiced over the land of Israel with wholehearted contempt,

therefore I am about to stretch out My hand against you^(e) and give you as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples and eliminate you from the countries. I will destroy you, and you will know that I am Yahweh."

This is what the Lord God says: "Because Moab and Seir said,^(f) ‘Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations,'

therefore I am about to expose Moab's flank beginning with its^[a] frontier cities, the pride of the land: Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon,^(g) and Kiriathaim.

I will give it along with Ammon to the people of the east as a possession, so that Ammon will not be remembered among the nations.

So I will execute judgments against Moab, and they will know that I am Yahweh."

This is what the Lord God says: "Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah^(h) and incurred grievous guilt by taking revenge on them,

therefore this is what the Lord God says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off both man and animal from it. I will make it a wasteland; they will fall by the sword from Teman to Dedan.

I will take My vengeance⁽ⁱ⁾ on Edom through My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. So they will know My vengeance." This is the declaration of the Lord God .

This is what the Lord God says: "Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with deep contempt,^(j) destroying because of their ancient hatred,

therefore this is what the Lord God says: I am about to stretch out My hand against the Philistines,^(k) cutting off the Cherethites and wiping out what remains of the coastal peoples.^[b](l)

I will execute great vengeance against them with furious rebukes. They will know that I am Yahweh^(m) when I take My vengeance on them."

In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, because Tyre^(a) said about Jerusalem, ‘Good!^(b) The gateway to the peoples is shattered. She has been turned over to me. I will be filled now that she lies in ruins,'

therefore this is what the Lord God says: See, I am against you, Tyre!^(c) I will raise up many nations against you, just as the sea raises its waves.

They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and turn her into a bare rock.

She will become a place in the sea to spread nets, for I have spoken." This is the declaration of the Lord God . "She will become plunder for the nations,^(d)

and her villages on the mainland will be slaughtered by the sword.^(e) Then they will know that I am Yahweh."

For this is what the Lord God says: "See, I am about to bring King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, king of kings,^(f) against Tyre from the north with horses, chariots, cavalry, and a vast company of troops.

He will slaughter your villages on the mainland with the sword. He will set up siege works against you,^(g) and will build a ramp^[a] and raise a wall of shields against you.

He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and tear down your towers with his iron tools.

His horses will be so numerous that their dust will cover you. When he enters your gates as an army entering a breached city, your walls will shake from the noise of cavalry, wagons, and chariots.

He will trample all your streets with the hooves of his horses.^(h) He will slaughter your people with the sword, and your mighty pillars will fall to the ground.

They will take your wealth as spoil and plunder your merchandise.⁽ⁱ⁾ They will also demolish your walls and tear down your beautiful homes. Then they will throw your stones, timber, and soil into the water.

I will put an end to the noise of your songs,^(j) and the sound of your lyres will no longer be heard.

I will turn you into a bare rock, and you will be a place to spread nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, Yahweh, have spoken."^(k) This is the declaration of the Lord God .

This is what the Lord God says to Tyre: "Won't the coasts and islands quake at the sound of your downfall,^(l) when the wounded groan and slaughter occurs within you?

All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones,^(m) remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling; they will sit on the ground, tremble continually, and be appalled⁽ⁿ⁾ at you.

Then they will lament^(o) for you and say of you: How you have perished, city of renown, you who were populated from the seas!^[b] She who was powerful on the sea, she and all of her inhabitants inflicted their terror.^[c]

Now the coastlands tremble^(p) on the day of your downfall; the islands in the sea are alarmed by your demise."

For this is what the Lord God says: "When I make you a ruined city like other deserted cities, when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you,

then I will bring you down to be with those who descend to the Pit,^(q) to the people of antiquity. I will make you dwell in the underworld^[d] like^[e] the ancient ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will no longer be inhabited or display your splendor^[f] in the land of the living.^(r)

I will make you an object of horror, and you will no longer exist.^(s) You will be sought but will never be found again." This is the declaration of the Lord God .

The word of the Lord came to me:

"Now, son of man, lament for Tyre.^(a)

Say to Tyre, who is located at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples^(b) to many coasts and islands: This is what the Lord God says: Tyre, you declared, ‘I am perfect in beauty.'

Your realm was in the heart of the sea; your builders perfected your beauty.

They constructed all your planking with pine trees from Senir.^[a](c) They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.

They made your oars of oaks from Bashan. They made your deck of cypress wood from the coasts of Cyprus,^(d) inlaid with ivory.

Your sail was made of fine embroidered linen from Egypt, and served as your banner. Your awning was of blue and purple fabric from the coasts of Elishah.

The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad^(e) were your rowers. Your wise men were within you, Tyre; they were your captains.

The elders of Gebal and its wise men^(f) were within you, repairing your leaks. All the ships of the sea and their sailors came to^[b] you to barter for your goods.

Men of Persia, Lud, and Put^(g) were in your army, serving as your warriors. They hung shields and helmets in you; they gave you splendor.

Men of Arvad and Helech were stationed on your walls all around, and Gammadites were in your towers. They hung their shields^[c] all around your walls; they perfected your beauty.

"Tarshish^(h) was your trading partner because of your great wealth of every kind. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise.

Javan, Tubal, and Meshech⁽ⁱ⁾ were your merchants. They exchanged slaves^[d] and bronze utensils for your goods.

Those from Beth-togarmah^(j) exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your merchandise.

Men of Dedan^[e](k) were also your merchants; many coasts and islands were your regular markets. They brought back ivory tusks^(l) and ebony as your payment.

Aram^[f][g] was your trading partner because of your numerous products. They exchanged turquoise,^[h] purple and embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral,^[i] and rubies^[j] for your merchandise.

Judah and the land of Israel were your merchants. They exchanged wheat from Minnith,^(m) meal,^[k] honey, oil, and balm, for your goods.

Damascus was also your trading partner because of your numerous products and your great wealth of every kind, trading in wine from Helbon and white wool.^[l]

Vedan^[m] and Javan from Uzal^[n](n) dealt in your merchandise; wrought iron, cassia,^(o) and aromatic cane were exchanged for your goods.

Dedan^(p) was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding.

Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your business^[o] partners, trading with you in lambs, rams, and goats.

The merchants of Sheba^(q) and Raamah traded with you. They exchanged gold, the best of all spices, and all kinds of precious stones for your merchandise.^(r)

Haran, Canneh, Eden,^(s) the merchants of Sheba, Asshur,^(t) and Chilmad traded with you.

They were your merchants in choice garments, cloaks of blue and embroidered materials, and multicolored carpets,^[p] which were bound and secured with cords in your marketplace.

Ships of Tarshish^(u) were the carriers for your goods. So you became full and heavily loaded^[q] in the heart of the sea.

Your rowers have brought you onto the high seas,^(v) but the east wind has shattered you in the heart of the sea.

Your wealth, merchandise, and goods, your sailors and captains, those who repair your leaks, those who barter for your goods, and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board,^[r] sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall.

The countryside shakes at the sound of your sailors' cries.^(w)

All those who handle an oar disembark from their ships. The sailors and all the captains of the sea stand on the shore.

They raise their voices over you and cry out bitterly. They throw dust on their heads;^(x) they roll in ashes.

They shave their heads because of you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They weep over you with deep anguish and bitter mourning.

In their wailing they lament for you,^(y) mourning over you: Who was like Tyre, silenced^[s] in the middle of the sea?

When your merchandise was unloaded from the seas, you satisfied many peoples. You enriched the kings of the earth with your abundant wealth and goods.

Now you are shattered by the sea in the depths of the waters; your goods and the people within you have gone down.

All the inhabitants of the coasts and islands are appalled^(z) at you. Their kings shudder with fear; their faces are contorted.

Those who trade among the peoples mock^[t](aa) you; you have become an object of horror and will never exist again."^(ab)

The word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre: This is what the Lord God says: Your^[a] heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god;^(a) I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.' Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god.

Yes, you are wiser than Daniel;^(b) no secret is hidden from you!

By your wisdom and understanding you have acquired wealth for yourself. You have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries.^(c)

By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has become proud because of your wealth."

Therefore this is what the Lord God says: Because you regard your heart as that of a god,

I am about to bring strangers against you, ruthless men from the nations. They will draw their swords against your magnificent wisdom and will defile your splendor.^(d)

They will bring you down to the Pit,^(e) and you will die a violent death in the heart of the sea.

Will you still say, ‘I am a god,' in the presence of those who kill^[b] you? Yet you will be only a man, not a god, in the hands of those who kill you.

You will die the death of the uncircumcised^(f) at the hands of strangers.^(g) For I have spoken. This is the declaration of the Lord God .

The word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, lament^(h) for the king of Tyre and say to him: This is what the Lord God says: You were the seal^[c] of perfection,^[d] full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.⁽ⁱ⁾

You were in Eden,^(j) the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond,^[e] beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire,^[f] turquoise^[g] and emerald.^[h] Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold;^(k) they were prepared on the day you were created.

You were an anointed guardian cherub,^(l) for^[i] I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you.

Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub,^[j] from among the fiery stones.

Your heart became proud because of your beauty;^(m) For the sake of your splendor you corrupted your wisdom. So I threw you down to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings.

You profaned your sanctuaries by the magnitude of your iniquities in your dishonest trade. So I made fire come from within you, and it consumed you.⁽ⁿ⁾ I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of everyone watching you.

All those who know you among the nations are appalled at you. You have become an object of horror and will never exist again."^(o)

The word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, turn your face toward Sidon^(p) and prophesy against it.

You are to say: This is what the Lord God says: Look! I am against you, Sidon,^(q) and I will display My glory within you. They will know that I am Yahweh when I execute judgments against her^(r) and demonstrate My holiness through her.

I will send a plague against her^(s) and bloodshed in her streets; the slain will fall within her, while the sword is against her^[k] on every side. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.

"The house of Israel will no longer be hurt by^[l] prickly briers or painful thorns^(t) from all their neighbors who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.

"This is what the Lord God says: When I gather the house of Israel^(u) from the peoples where they are scattered and demonstrate My holiness through them in the sight of the nations, then they will live in their own land, which I gave to My servant Jacob.

They will live there securely,^(v) build houses, and plant vineyards.^(w) They will live securely when I execute judgments^(x) against all their neighbors who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am Yahweh their God."

In the tenth year, in the tenth month on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, turn your face toward Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all of Egypt.^(a)

Speak to him and say: This is what the Lord God says: Look, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster^[a](b) lying in the middle of his Nile, who says, ‘My Nile is my own; I made it for myself.'

I will put hooks in your jaws^(c) and make the fish of your streams cling to your scales. I will haul you up from the middle of your Nile, and all the fish of your streams will cling to your scales.

I will leave you in the desert,^(d) you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open ground and will not be taken away or gathered for burial.^(e) I have given you to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the sky as food.^(f)

Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, for they^[b] have been a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.

When Israel grasped you by the hand, you splintered,^(g) tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you shattered and made all their hips unsteady.^[c]

"Therefore this is what the Lord God says: I am going to bring a sword^(h) against you and wipe out man and animal from you.

The land of Egypt will be a desolate ruin.⁽ⁱ⁾ Then they will know that I am Yahweh. Because you^[d] said, ‘The Nile is my own; I made it,'

therefore, I am against you and your Nile. I will turn the land of Egypt into ruins, a desolate waste from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush.

No human foot will pass through it, and no animal foot will pass through it.^(j) It will be uninhabited for 40 years.

I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among^[e] desolate lands, and its cities will be a desolation among^[f] ruined cities^(k) for 40 years. I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them across the countries.^(l)

"For this is what the Lord God says: At the end of 40 years I will gather the Egyptians from the nations where they were dispersed.^(m)

I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin. There they will be a lowly kingdom.

Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself over the nations. I will make them so small they cannot rule over the nations.

It will never again be an object of trust⁽ⁿ⁾ for the house of Israel, drawing attention to their sin of turning to the Egyptians. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh."

In the twenty-seventh year in the first month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor strenuously against Tyre.^(o) Every head was made bald and every shoulder chafed, but he and his army received no compensation from Tyre for the labor he expended against it.

Therefore this is what the Lord God says: I am going to give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,^(p) who will carry off its wealth, seizing its spoil and taking its plunder. This will be his army's compensation.

I have given him the land of Egypt as the pay he labored for, since they worked for Me." This is the declaration of the Lord God .

"In that day I will cause a horn to sprout^(q) for the house of Israel, and I will enable you to speak out^(r) among them. Then they will know that I am Yahweh."

The word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, prophesy and say: This is what the Lord God says: Wail:^(a) Woe for the day!

For a day is near; a day belonging to the Lord is near.^(b) It will be a day of clouds,^(c) a time of doom for the nations.

A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, and its wealth is taken away, and its foundations are torn down.

Cush, Put, and Lud,^(d) and all the various foreign troops,^[a] plus Libya^[b] and the men of the covenant land^[c] will fall by the sword along with them.

This is what the Lord says: Those who support Egypt will fall, and its proud strength will collapse. From Migdol to Syene they will fall within it by the sword. This is the declaration of the Lord God .

They will be desolate among^[d] desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined^[e] cities.^(e)

They will know that I am Yahweh when I set fire to Egypt^(f) and all its allies are shattered.

On that day, messengers will go out from Me in ships^(g) to terrify confident Cush. Anguish will come over them on the day of Egypt's doom. For indeed it is coming."

This is what the Lord God says: I will put an end to the hordes^[f] of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

He along with his people, ruthless men from the nations, will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain.^(h)

I will make the streams dry and sell the land into the hands of evil men.⁽ⁱ⁾ I will bring desolation on the land and everything in it by the hands of foreigners. I, Yahweh, have spoken.

This is what the Lord God says: I will destroy the idols and put an end to the false gods in Memphis.^(j) There will no longer be a prince from the land of Egypt. So I will instill fear in that land.

I will make Pathros^(k) desolate, set fire to Zoan, and execute judgments on Thebes.

I will pour out My wrath on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and will wipe out the crowds^[g] of Thebes.

I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium will writhe in anguish, Thebes will be breached, and Memphis will face foes in broad daylight.^[h]

The young men of On^[i] and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword, and those cities^[j] will go into captivity.

The day will be dark^[k] in Tehaphnehes, when I break the yoke of Egypt there and its proud strength comes to an end in the city. A cloud^(l) will cover Tehaphnehes,^[l] and its villages will go into captivity.

So I will execute judgments against Egypt, and they will know that I am Yahweh.

In the eleventh year, in the first month, on the seventh day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:

"Son of man, I have broken the arm^(m) of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Look, it has not been bandaged—no medicine has been applied and no splint put on to bandage it so that it can grow strong enough to handle a sword.

Therefore this is what the Lord God says: Look! I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong one and the one already broken, and will make the sword fall from his hand.

I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them among the countries.⁽ⁿ⁾

I will strengthen the arms of Babylon's king and place My sword^(o) in his hand. But I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before him as a mortally wounded man.

I will strengthen the arms of Babylon's king, but Pharaoh's arms will fall. They will know that I am Yahweh when I place My sword in the hand of Babylon's king and he wields it against the land of Egypt.

When I disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them among the countries, they will know that I am Yahweh."