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.
With the hoofs {H6541} of his horses {H5483} shall he tread down {H7429} all thy streets {H2351}: he shall slay {H2026} thy people {H5971} by the sword {H2719}, and thy strong {H5797} garrisons {H4676} shall go down {H3381} to the ground {H776}.
With the hoofs of his horses he will trample your streets. He will put your people to the sword and pull to the ground your massive standing-stones.
The hooves of his horses will trample all your streets. He will slaughter your people with the sword, and your mighty pillars will fall to the ground.
With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets; he shall slay thy people with the sword; and the pillars of thy strength shall go down to the ground.
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Isaiah 5:28
Whose arrows [are] sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind: -
Isaiah 26:5
¶ For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, [even] to the ground; he bringeth it [even] to the dust. -
Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle [that] hasteth to eat. -
Jeremiah 51:27
Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers. -
Jeremiah 43:13
He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that [is] in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.
Ezekiel 26:11 is a powerful and vivid verse within a larger prophecy detailing the catastrophic judgment against the ancient city of Tyre. It paints a picture of brutal military conquest and utter destruction, emphasizing the complete downfall of a once-proud and prosperous maritime power.
Context of Ezekiel 26:11
The prophet Ezekiel delivers a series of prophecies against various nations that opposed Israel or rejoiced in its downfall. Chapter 26 specifically targets Tyre, a wealthy Phoenician city known for its extensive trade networks, impregnable fortifications, and immense pride. Tyre's sin, highlighted in Ezekiel 26:2, was its rejoicing over the destruction of Jerusalem, believing it would gain commercial advantage from Judah's demise. God declares that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon will be the initial instrument of this divine judgment, bringing an overwhelming force against the city. Verse 11 describes the brutal methods of this invasion: the trampling of streets by cavalry, the slaughter of its inhabitants, and the razing of its formidable defenses.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "tread down" is ramas (רָמַס), which implies not just walking upon, but trampling or crushing, often with a sense of contempt or violent oppression. This highlights the brutal and demeaning nature of the conquest. The term "garrisons" (מַצָּבוֹת - matstsaboth) refers to standing places or military posts, emphasizing the fortified nature of Tyre's defenses, which were nevertheless destined to fall.
Practical Application
Ezekiel 26:11 serves as a stark reminder that no earthly power, wealth, or military might can withstand God's ultimate decree. It cautions against pride and the dangerous sin of schadenfreude (rejoicing in others' suffering). As Proverbs 16:18 warns, 'Pride goeth before destruction'. Instead, it calls believers to recognize God's justice and His control over world events. The fulfillment of such specific prophecies should strengthen our faith in the reliability of Scripture and God's promises.