Ezekiel 26:10

KJV

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 (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 26:10 vividly portrays the impending, overwhelming judgment against the proud city of Tyre. Through the prophetic voice, God describes the immense Babylonian army, led by Nebuchadnezzar, advancing with such a multitude of horses, chariots, and horsemen that their dust will obscure the city, their thunderous approach will cause Tyre's formidable walls to tremble, and they will ultimately breach its defenses as easily as entering a city already broken. This verse powerfully underscores the certainty and devastating scale of divine judgment against human pride and defiance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 26:10 is embedded within a comprehensive prophecy against Tyre, spanning the entirety of [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre") through [Ezekiel 28](/ezekiel/28 "Ezekiel 28 - Prophecy Against Tyre and Sidon"). This particular oracle begins in [Ezekiel 26:1](/ezekiel/26-1 "Ezekiel 26:1 - Prophecy Against Tyre") with God's declaration of judgment against Tyre for its gloating over Jerusalem's destruction ("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," [Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Rejoicing Over Jerusalem's Fall")). The verses immediately preceding [Ezekiel 26:10](/ezekiel/26-10 "Ezekiel 26:10 - The Overwhelming Force Against Tyre") detail the multi-faceted nature of the attack, describing the siege engines, the battering rams, and the vast numbers of the invading forces that will lay waste to the city's towers and walls ([Ezekiel 26:9](/ezekiel/26-9 "Ezekiel 26:9 - Siege Engines Against Tyre")). Verse 10 specifically focuses on the cavalry and chariots, emphasizing the sheer scale and terrifying sensory experience of the invasion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city, renowned for its immense wealth, maritime trade, and seemingly impregnable fortifications. It consisted of two parts: an old city on the mainland and a new, dominant city on an island approximately half a mile offshore. Its strategic location made it a dominant commercial power in the ancient Near East, fostering a sense of invincibility. The prophecy in Ezekiel was delivered around 587-586 BC, shortly after Jerusalem's fall to Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, was the primary instrument of God's judgment mentioned in this prophecy. His army was known for its formidable cavalry and chariotry, capable of generating vast clouds of dust and thunderous noise during their advance, which would have been a common and terrifying sight in ancient warfare. The imagery of breaching walls "as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach" speaks to the common experience of siege warfare, where a successful breach meant the swift and often brutal end of resistance.
* **Key Themes:** The prophecy against Tyre, including [Ezekiel 26:10](/ezekiel/26-10 "Ezekiel 26:10 - The Overwhelming Force Against Tyre"), contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **sovereignty of God** over all nations and their destinies, demonstrating that even the most powerful human strongholds are subject to His will. Secondly, it highlights the **consequences of pride and hubris**, as Tyre's downfall is directly linked to its arrogant self-sufficiency and rejoicing over the misfortune of God's people. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in the warnings against pride in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Thirdly, the detailed description of the siege underscores the **certainty and comprehensiveness of divine judgment**, emphasizing that God's word, once declared, will be fulfilled with devastating precision, leaving no aspect of the condemned city untouched. The imagery of the city being completely overwhelmed by dust and noise points to a total and inescapable destruction, a common motif in prophecies of judgment, such as those found in [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dust (Hebrew, _ʼâbâq'_):** From a root meaning "to cling" or "to embrace," this word refers to light particles, powder, or small dust. In the context of [Ezekiel 26:10](/ezekiel/26-10 "Ezekiel 26:10 - The Overwhelming Force Against Tyre"), the "dust" generated by the "abundance of his horses" signifies an overwhelming, suffocating quantity. It speaks to the sheer size of the invading force, so vast that their movement creates a cloud that literally "covers" the city, symbolizing not just a physical obscuring but also a metaphorical smothering and humiliation of Tyre.
* **Walls (Hebrew, _chôwmâh'_):** This term denotes a protective wall or fortification, derived from a root suggesting "to join" or "to build up." Tyre's walls were legendary for their strength, making the city appear impregnable. The prophecy's declaration that "thy walls shall shake" at the noise of the army directly challenges Tyre's perceived invincibility, highlighting the ultimate fragility of human defenses against divine decree. It emphasizes that what was built for protection will become a source of terror and eventual collapse.
* **Breach (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to cleave," "to rend," "to break," or "to open." It conveys the forceful penetration and tearing apart of something previously whole and secure. In the phrase "as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach," it signifies a complete and decisive penetration of the city's defenses, not through a gate but through a violent rupture. This imagery underscores the ease and inevitability of the invasion, stripping Tyre of any illusion of security.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee:"** This clause immediately establishes the overwhelming scale of the invading army. The sheer number of horses, likely referring to both cavalry and those pulling chariots, is so vast that their movement kicks up an immense cloud of dust. This "dust" is not merely a byproduct but an active element of the judgment, symbolizing the suffocating, blinding, and humiliating nature of the attack. It suggests that Tyre will be engulfed and overwhelmed by the sheer mass of its enemies.
* **"thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots,"** This segment focuses on the sensory impact of the invasion—specifically, the auditory and vibrational. The "noise" (qôwl) is a thunderous cacophony produced by the massed horsemen, the grinding of chariot wheels, and the clatter of the chariots themselves. This immense sound is so powerful that it causes Tyre's formidable "walls" (chôwmâh) to "shake" (râʻash), implying not just a physical tremor but also a psychological terror that undermines the city's sense of security and stability.
* **"when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach."** This final clause describes the climax of the invasion: the entry into the city. The phrase "he shall enter into thy gates" indicates a successful penetration of the city's primary entry points. However, the crucial comparison "as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach" intensifies the humiliation and defeat. It suggests that the entry will not be a difficult, contested struggle through fortified gates, but rather an unhindered, almost casual, walk-in through a gaping hole in the defenses, symbolizing Tyre's utter vulnerability and the complete collapse of its once-impregnable fortifications.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 26:10 employs powerful **Imagery** to convey the terror and inevitability of Tyre's destruction. The "dust" covering the city and the "noise" of the army create a vivid sensory experience, allowing the audience to almost see and hear the approaching doom. The description of walls that "shall shake" uses **Personification**, attributing a human-like reaction of fear or instability to inanimate objects, thereby emphasizing the overwhelming force of the invasion. Furthermore, the verse utilizes a **Simile** in the phrase "as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach." This comparison highlights the ease and certainty of the invasion, suggesting that Tyre's once-impenetrable defenses will be rendered as useless as a wall already torn open, underscoring the completeness of its defeat. The sheer "abundance of his horses" also borders on **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the vast, uncountable nature of the attacking force, designed to instill a sense of absolute futility in resistance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 26:10 serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over nations and the certainty of His prophetic word. Tyre's fall, meticulously detailed, demonstrates that no human power, wealth, or fortification can withstand the divine will when judgment is decreed. This passage underscores the biblical principle that pride and self-sufficiency, particularly when expressed in contempt for God's people, inevitably lead to a devastating downfall. It is a powerful illustration that earthly security and strength are ultimately transient and fragile when confronted by the omnipotent God, who raises up and casts down kingdoms according to His righteous purposes.

* [Isaiah 23:1-18](/isaiah/23-1 "Isaiah 23:1-18 - Prophecy Against Tyre")
* [Jeremiah 25:9-11](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9-11 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid imagery of Ezekiel 26:10, depicting the overwhelming force against Tyre, invites us to reflect on the nature of true security and the dangers of misplaced trust. Just as Tyre relied on its physical walls and commercial might, we often place our confidence in earthly resources—our wealth, our careers, our social standing, or even our intellectual prowess. This verse powerfully reminds us that all human fortifications, whether material or ideological, are ultimately vulnerable before the sovereign God. It calls us to humility, recognizing that true and lasting security is found only in Him. When our "walls" shake, whether from external pressures or internal anxieties, it is an invitation to shift our trust from the temporal to the eternal. This passage encourages us to examine where our ultimate confidence lies and to reorient our lives around God's unfailing word and His protective presence, rather than the fleeting assurances of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "walls" or sources of security do I tend to rely on in my own life, apart from God?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment against Tyre challenge my understanding of divine justice and my own accountability?**
* **In what ways might I be exhibiting pride or self-sufficiency that needs to be surrendered to God?**
* **How can the imagery of "dust" and "shaking walls" deepen my appreciation for God's omnipotence and my need for His protection?**

### FAQ
**Who is "he" referring to in Ezekiel 26:10, and how was this prophecy fulfilled?**

Answer: The "he" in [Ezekiel 26:10](/ezekiel/26-10 "Ezekiel 26:10 - The Overwhelming Force Against Tyre") primarily refers to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. Historical records indicate that Nebuchadnezzar indeed besieged Tyre for an astonishing thirteen years (c. 586-573 BC), as prophesied by Ezekiel. While the mainland city of Tyre was utterly destroyed and its walls breached, the island city proved more resilient to Nebuchadnezzar's forces, never being fully conquered by him in the way described. However, the prophecy's ultimate fulfillment came centuries later with Alexander the Great in 332 BC. Alexander, facing the same island fortress, famously built a massive causeway (mole) from the mainland to the island, effectively turning it into a peninsula. This allowed his army to bring their siege engines and forces directly to the island walls, breaching them and utterly destroying the city, fulfilling the prophecy's comprehensive nature of destruction and the ease of entry "as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 26:10, with its vivid depiction of the overwhelming force of judgment against Tyre, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal siege, but in the spiritual triumph of Jesus Christ. The "breach" made in Tyre's walls, signifying utter vulnerability and defeat, foreshadows the ultimate "breach" that Christ made in the dominion of sin and death. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus broke down the formidable "walls" of separation between God and humanity, as described in [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"). The "dust" that covered Tyre, symbolizing overwhelming humiliation and destruction, contrasts with the cleansing and life-giving power of Christ's sacrifice, which washes away the dust of sin and shame. Just as an earthly king entered a breached city to claim victory, so Christ, the King of kings, entered into the very stronghold of death, not as a conqueror of physical cities, but as the victor over spiritual strongholds, leading captivity captive ([Ephesians 4:8](/ephesians/4-8 "Ephesians 4:8 - Christ's Ascension and Gifts")). The shaking of Tyre's walls at the noise of the invading army points to the trembling of all earthly powers and spiritual principalities before the authority of Christ, who has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). Ultimately, the judgment on Tyre serves as a microcosm of the final judgment where all earthly kingdoms and their pride will fall before the eternal, unshakeable kingdom of God, established and ruled by Christ ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Seventh Trumpet and God's Kingdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.