Ezekiel 26:13

KJV

And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will cause the noise {H1995} of thy songs {H7892} to cease {H7673}; and the sound {H6963} of thy harps {H3658} shall be no more heard {H8085}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will put an end to your singing, the sound of your lyres will be heard no more.

Berean Standard Bible

So I will silence the sound of your songs, and the music of your lyres will no longer be heard.

American Standard Version

And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 26:13 delivers a potent prophetic declaration of divine judgment against the ancient city of Tyre, specifically targeting the cessation of its vibrant, luxurious atmosphere and characteristic revelry. This verse foretells the complete silencing of the city's joyful sounds—its songs and harps—symbolizing the end of its immense prosperity, self-sufficiency, and the prideful celebrations rooted in its worldly success, marking a definitive end to its era of opulence and a transition into desolation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of prophetic oracles against foreign nations in the Book of Ezekiel, specifically chapters 26-28, which are entirely dedicated to the judgment of Tyre. Preceding this passage, Ezekiel has already detailed the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon, and Tyre's reaction to it. Tyre, a prominent maritime power, is depicted as gloating over Jerusalem's downfall, viewing it as an opportunity to expand its own trade dominance (cf. [Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Reaction to Jerusalem's Fall")). The broader narrative of chapter 26 describes the multi-phased destruction of Tyre, from the tearing down of its walls and towers (as prophesied in [Ezekiel 26:4](/ezekiel/26-4 "Ezekiel 26:4 - Destruction of Tyre's Walls")) to its transformation into a barren rock for drying nets (cf. [Ezekiel 26:5](/ezekiel/26-5 "Ezekiel 26:5 - Tyre to become a bare rock")). Verse 13, therefore, is a specific detail within this comprehensive judgment, focusing on the removal of the city's very essence of joy and celebration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a powerful Phoenician city-state, renowned for its extensive maritime trade network, immense wealth, and formidable fortifications, including its island fortress. Geographically, it was strategically located on the Mediterranean coast, making it a hub for international commerce and cultural exchange. Culturally, Tyre was characterized by its opulence, luxury, and a vibrant, often boisterous, social scene. Its inhabitants were known for their celebratory feasts, music, and general revelry, all fueled by their vast material prosperity. The "noise of songs" and "sound of harps" were not merely incidental but deeply ingrained symbols of Tyre's identity as a prosperous, self-sufficient, and joyful city. The prophecy speaks to a time when this deeply embedded cultural expression would be utterly silenced, reflecting a complete reversal of its fortunes and a profound humiliation.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 26:13 contributes significantly to several major themes present in the book of Ezekiel and broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment** and God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, demonstrating His power to humble even the proudest and most secure cities. Tyre's judgment serves as a stark warning against **Pride and Arrogance**, particularly when born of material wealth and worldly power, which often leads to a false sense of invincibility (compare [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction")). The cessation of songs and harps vividly illustrates the **Cessation of Worldly Joy** and prosperity, highlighting that joy derived solely from earthly success is fleeting and vulnerable to divine intervention. This echoes similar prophecies found in other books, such as the lament over the cessation of joy in [Isaiah 24:8](/isaiah/24-8 "Isaiah 24:8 - Cessation of Mirth") and the ultimate silence of Babylon in [Revelation 18:22](/revelation/18-22 "Revelation 18:22 - Silence in Babylon"). Ultimately, the verse underscores the theme of **God's Justice**, where unrepentant pride and gloating over the suffering of God's people are met with severe consequences.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **noise (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to rage" or "to make a great noise," signifies a tumult, a crowd, a great multitude, or a loud sound. In this context, it refers to the boisterous, bustling activity and celebratory clamor characteristic of a prosperous city like Tyre. It encompasses not just musical sound but the general hubbub of a thriving, self-confident populace. The cessation of this "noise" implies a complete desolation and abandonment.
* **songs (Hebrew, _shîyr'_):** This term refers to a song or singing, often associated with joy, celebration, and worship. In Tyre's context, these were likely songs of revelry, triumph, and perhaps even idolatrous praise, reflecting the city's material success and self-glorification. The prophecy declares an end to these expressions of earthly joy, symbolizing the removal of the very source of their happiness and cultural identity.
* **cease (Hebrew, _shâbath'_):** A primitive root meaning "to repose" or "to desist from exertion," but often used causatively to mean "to cause to cease," "to make to fail," or "to put away." This word emphasizes the divine agency in bringing about the end of Tyre's revelry. It's not a gradual decline but a definitive, God-ordained cessation, implying a complete and irreversible halt to their celebrations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease;":** This clause directly declares God's active role in silencing Tyre's vibrant atmosphere. The "noise" (hâmôwn) refers to the general clamor and bustling activity, while "songs" (shîyr) specify the musical expressions of joy and celebration. By causing these to cease (shâbath), God is removing the very sounds that characterized Tyre's prosperity, revelry, and self-assured existence. It signifies the end of their festive culture and the joy derived from their material wealth and independence.
* **"and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.":** This second clause reinforces and specifies the first, employing parallelism. "Harps" (kinnôwr) represent a specific, prominent musical instrument used in celebrations, feasting, and entertainment. The declaration that their "sound" (qôwl) will "be no more heard" (shâmaʻ, in the passive sense of not being perceived) underscores the totality of the judgment. It's not just a reduction in volume but an absolute cessation of the music that defined their opulent lifestyle, leaving behind only silence and desolation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 26:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of judgment. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, where the second clause ("and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first ("And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease"). This repetition emphasizes the completeness of the silencing. **Metonymy** is also at play, where "songs" and "harps" stand in for the entire culture of revelry, prosperity, and self-satisfied joy that characterized Tyre. By silencing these specific elements, the prophecy implies the destruction of the entire way of life they represent. Furthermore, the imagery of cessation and silence creates a powerful **Contrast** with Tyre's previous state of bustling activity and celebratory noise, highlighting the dramatic and devastating impact of God's judgment. This contrast evokes a sense of profound loss and desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 26:13 serves as a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering justice. It underscores the biblical truth that earthly prosperity, when decoupled from humility and righteousness, is fleeting and subject to divine judgment. The silencing of Tyre's songs and harps is a vivid illustration of how God can strip away the outward expressions of human glory and self-sufficiency, revealing the emptiness beneath. This passage warns against misplaced joy in worldly success and encourages a recognition that true, lasting joy and security are found only in God, not in material wealth or human achievements. It reminds us that God is the ultimate arbiter of history, bringing down the proud and elevating the humble.

* [Isaiah 24:8](/isaiah/24-8 "The Mirth of Tabrets Ceases")
* [Jeremiah 7:34](/jeremiah/7-34 "Cessation of Joy in Judah")
* [Revelation 18:22](/revelation/18-22 "The Sound of Harps and Music Will Be Heard No More")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 26:13 offers a timeless and sobering lesson for individuals and societies today. It challenges us to examine the sources of our joy and security. Are we deriving our happiness from fleeting worldly achievements, material possessions, or social status, much like Tyre found its identity in its wealth and revelry? Or is our joy rooted in something more enduring—a relationship with God, His unchanging promises, and the eternal hope found in Him? The fate of Tyre serves as a stark reminder that pride, self-sufficiency, and a celebratory spirit divorced from divine reverence ultimately lead to desolation. This verse calls us to cultivate humility, acknowledge God's ultimate authority over all aspects of life, and seek true, lasting joy that cannot be silenced by external circumstances or divine judgment. It prompts us to consider what "songs" or "harps" in our own lives might be distracting us from God, or fostering a spirit of arrogance that needs to be silenced for our spiritual good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "songs" and "harps" in my life that might represent misplaced joy or a false sense of security apart from God?**
* **How does the warning against Tyre's pride apply to my own attitudes towards success, wealth, or personal achievements?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper, more enduring joy that is rooted in God, rather than in the fleeting pleasures of the world?**

### FAQ

**What was Tyre's primary sin that led to this judgment?**

Answer: Tyre's primary sin was its **pride and arrogance**, fueled by its immense wealth and perceived invincibility, and its **gloating over the downfall of Jerusalem**. As described in [Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Reaction to Jerusalem's Fall"), Tyre rejoiced when Jerusalem, a rival trading city, was destroyed, seeing it as an opportunity to expand its own commercial dominance. This self-serving attitude, coupled with a lack of compassion and an overreliance on its own power, provoked God's judgment.

**How does this prophecy connect to other biblical judgments against proud nations?**

Answer: This prophecy aligns with a consistent biblical theme of God's judgment against proud and arrogant nations. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly humbles empires and cities that exalt themselves against Him or His people. For example, Babylon's pride led to its fall (cf. [Isaiah 14](/isaiah/14 "Isaiah 14 - Oracle Against Babylon")), and Egypt's arrogance was broken (cf. [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt")). The principle is encapsulated in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"), which states, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Tyre's fate serves as another powerful illustration of this divine principle.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 26:13 directly prophesies the judgment of ancient Tyre, its theological resonance finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate silencing of all earthly systems and powers that stand in opposition to God's kingdom. The "noise of songs" and "sound of harps" represent the celebratory spirit of a world that lives independently of God, finding its joy and security in fleeting material wealth and self-glory. In Christ, we see the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice on the cross (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) decisively broke the power of sin and death, which are the ultimate sources of the world's false joy and pride. The judgment against Tyre foreshadows the final judgment where all earthly kingdoms and their rebellious celebrations will be silenced, replaced by the eternal reign of Christ. [Revelation 18:22-23](/revelation/18-22 "Revelation 18:22-23 - The Fall of Babylon the Great") vividly describes the complete cessation of music, revelry, and economic activity in "Babylon the Great," a symbolic representation of all systems that oppose God, echoing the very language used against Tyre. Conversely, the "songs" and "harps" that cease in Tyre are transformed in the New Covenant into the new song of redemption sung by the redeemed in heaven (cf. [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song of the Redeemed")), celebrating the Lamb who was slain. Thus, Christ's work ensures that while the world's fleeting joys are silenced, a new, eternal song of praise to God is inaugurated for those who find their true joy and security in Him.

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 7:34

Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

Isaiah 23:16

Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.

Isaiah 24:8

The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.

Isaiah 24:9

They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

Isaiah 14:11

Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, [and] the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

Jeremiah 25:10

Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

Jeremiah 16:9

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.