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.
By reason of the abundance {H8229} of his horses {H5483} their dust {H80} shall cover {H3680} thee: thy walls {H2346} shall shake {H7493} at the noise {H6963} of the horsemen {H6571}, and of the wheels {H1534}, and of the chariots {H7393}, when he shall enter {H935} into thy gates {H8179}, as men enter {H3996} into a city {H5892} wherein is made a breach {H1234}.
His horses are so many that their dust will cover you. The thunder of cavalry, wagons and chariots will shake your walls, as he enters your gates, like men storming a city through a breach.
His multitude of horses will cover you in their dust. When he enters your gates as an army entering a breached city, your walls will shake from the noise of cavalry, wagons, and chariots.
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 wagons, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach.
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Jeremiah 47:3
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong [horses], at the rushing of his chariots, [and at] the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to [their] children for feebleness of hands; -
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? -
Ezekiel 27:28
The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots. -
Joshua 6:5
And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long [blast] with the ram's horn, [and] when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. -
Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots [shall be] as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled. -
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. -
Joshua 6:20
So the people shouted when [the priests] blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Context of Ezekiel 26:10
This verse is part of a powerful and detailed prophecy delivered by the prophet Ezekiel against the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre. Beginning in Ezekiel 26:1, God declares judgment upon Tyre for its pride, its immense wealth derived from maritime trade, and its rejoicing over the downfall of Jerusalem. Verse 10 specifically describes the overwhelming force of the invading army, primarily led by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, who would besiege Tyre for many years. The imagery vividly portrays an ancient siege, where military might, particularly cavalry and chariots, played a decisive role in breaching fortified cities.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "breach" is peretz (פֶּרֶץ), which literally means a "break," "bursting forth," or "gap." This term powerfully conveys the idea of a wall being broken open, not merely entered through a gate, but forcibly penetrated. The sensory details of "dust" covering the city and the "noise" of the army are crucial to the prophecy's impact, creating a vivid, almost suffocating, picture of an ancient siege. These elements were common experiences in ancient warfare, making the prophecy relatable and terrifying to its original audience.
Practical Application
Ezekiel 26:10 holds timeless lessons for us today: