Ezekiel 26:14

KJV

And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be [a place] to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken [it], saith the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will make {H5414} thee like the top {H6706} of a rock {H5553}: thou shalt be a place to spread {H4894} nets {H2764} upon {H4894}; thou shalt be built {H1129} no more: for I the LORD {H3068} have spoken {H1696} it, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will reduce you to bare rock, you will be a place for drying fish nets, you will never be built again, for I, ADONAI, have spoken,' says Adonai ELOHIM."

Berean Standard Bible

I will make you a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread the fishing nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the LORD, have spoken, declares the Lord GOD.’

American Standard Version

And I will make thee a bare rock; thou shalt be a place for the spreading of nets; thou shalt be built no more: for I Jehovah have spoken it, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 26:14 delivers a powerful and irreversible prophecy against the proud Phoenician city of Tyre, declaring its ultimate and permanent desolation. Once a bustling maritime power renowned for its wealth and strategic island fortress, Tyre is condemned to become a barren, exposed rock, stripped of its structures and reduced to a mere drying ground for fishermen's nets, never to be rebuilt, a definitive testament to the Lord God's sovereign judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of oracles against foreign nations found in [Ezekiel 25-32](/ezekiel/25 "Ezekiel 25-32 - Oracles Against Foreign Nations"). Specifically, it concludes a detailed prophecy against Tyre that begins in [Ezekiel 26:1](/ezekiel/26-1 "Ezekiel 26:1 - Prophecy Against Tyre Begins"). The preceding verses ([Ezekiel 26:7-13](/ezekiel/26-7 "Ezekiel 26:7-13 - Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Tyre")) describe the instruments of God's judgment, particularly the siege by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and the subsequent plundering and destruction of the city. Verse 14, however, moves beyond the initial conquest to pronounce a permanent state of ruin, emphasizing that Tyre will not merely be defeated but utterly and eternally laid waste, serving as a stark contrast to its former glory described in [Ezekiel 27](/ezekiel/27 "Ezekiel 27 - Lament Over Tyre's Splendor").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city-state, strategically located on the Mediterranean coast with a significant portion built on an island. It was renowned for its immense wealth, derived from extensive maritime trade, its purple dye industry, and its seemingly impregnable defenses. Culturally, Tyre was a hub of commerce and pagan worship, particularly of Baal. The prophecy against Tyre was delivered around 587 BC, shortly after the fall of Jerusalem, a destruction over which Tyre rejoiced ([Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Reaction to Jerusalem's Fall")). This act of gloating against God's people, coupled with Tyre's pervasive pride and self-sufficiency, provoked divine wrath. The historical fulfillment involved two major events: Nebuchadnezzar's 13-year siege of mainland Tyre (586-573 BC) and, more definitively, Alexander the Great's siege in 332 BC, during which he famously used the rubble of the old city to build a causeway to the island, effectively scraping the mainland site clean and preventing its future rebuilding.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 26:14](/ezekiel/26-14 "Ezekiel 26:14 - Tyre's Permanent Desolation") powerfully underscores several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezekiel. First, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating that no nation, however powerful or wealthy, is beyond God's ultimate authority and reckoning. Tyre's downfall serves as a vivid illustration of God's control over human history and His justice against pride and wickedness, a theme echoed in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). Second, the verse emphasizes the **Irreversibility of God's Word**. The declaration "thou shalt be built no more" signifies a permanent and complete desolation, underscoring the certainty and finality of God's prophetic pronouncements, much like the unwavering nature of His promises in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - The Certainty of God's Word"). Finally, it showcases the **Humiliation of Human Pride**. A city that boasted of its splendor and invincibility is reduced to a barren rock, a place of no significance other than for drying nets, contrasting sharply with its former glory and serving as a warning against self-exaltation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rock (Hebrew, _çelaʻ'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be lofty," this word refers to a craggy rock, a cliff, or even figuratively, a fortress. In this context, it emphasizes the barren, exposed, and stripped-bare nature of Tyre, contrasting sharply with its former status as a fortified, prosperous city. It speaks to a complete removal of all structures, leaving only the natural, unadorned stone.
* **built (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to build" (literally and figuratively), "to make," or "to repair." The use of this word in the negative ("shalt be built no more") signifies a permanent and absolute cessation of construction or restoration. It is a definitive statement that Tyre's former glory and physical structures will never be re-established, marking an eternal desolation.
* **nets (Hebrew, _chêrem'_):** This word can refer to a physical net (for fishing or hunting) or, more commonly, a "doomed object" or "utter destruction." Here, it refers to fishing nets, creating a powerful image of a desolate, coastal area suitable only for the most basic, humble activity, a stark contrast to Tyre's former bustling commercial harbors. The double meaning also subtly hints at Tyre itself becoming a "doomed object."
* **spoken (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to speak," "to declare," or "to command." This word emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the prophecy. The phrase "I the LORD have spoken it" underscores the absolute certainty and binding nature of the pronouncement, indicating that this judgment is not merely a human prediction but a decree from the sovereign God, ensuring its fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will make thee like the top of a rock":** This clause pronounces Tyre's utter desolation. The city, once a magnificent and fortified island, will be stripped bare of all its structures, becoming a barren, exposed, and uninhabitable place, resembling a desolate, windswept rock. This imagery signifies a complete and irreversible removal of its former identity and glory.
* **"thou shalt be [a place] to spread nets upon":** This vivid image illustrates the depth of Tyre's humiliation and reduction. Instead of bustling ports and grand buildings, the site will be fit only for the humble activity of fishermen drying their nets, symbolizing a complete loss of its commercial and political significance. It highlights the transformation from a global trade center to a mere coastal wasteland.
* **"thou shalt be built no more":** This is a definitive and categorical declaration of permanent ruin. Unlike other cities that might be conquered and rebuilt, Tyre is condemned to an eternal state of desolation. This phrase emphasizes the finality of God's judgment, ensuring that its former splendor will never be restored.
* **"for I the LORD have spoken [it], saith the Lord GOD":** This concluding phrase serves as an emphatic divine seal on the prophecy. It underscores the ultimate authority and certainty behind the pronouncement. The repetition of God's names (YHWH and Adonai YHWH) reinforces that this is an unchangeable decree from the sovereign Creator, guaranteeing its precise fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of irreversible judgment. **Simile** is prominent in "I will make thee like the top of a rock," vividly comparing the once-grand city to a barren, exposed surface, emphasizing its complete stripping away. This is further enhanced by **Imagery**, painting a stark picture of a desolate coastline used only for drying fishing nets, a powerful contrast to Tyre's former bustling commercial activity and opulence. The phrase "thou shalt be built no more" utilizes **Hyperbole** to underscore the absolute and permanent nature of the destruction, suggesting an eternal desolation that transcends typical urban cycles of destruction and rebuilding. Finally, the concluding declaration, "for I the LORD have spoken [it], saith the Lord GOD," serves as an emphatic **Divine Attestation**, lending an undeniable authority and certainty to the prophecy, reinforcing the theme of God's unwavering sovereignty and the reliability of His word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 26:14 stands as a stark testament to God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. It reveals that human pride, self-sufficiency, and hostility towards God's people inevitably invite divine judgment. The prophecy's historical fulfillment serves as a powerful demonstration of the reliability of God's prophetic word, proving that what He declares will indeed come to pass, regardless of how improbable it may seem from a human perspective. This passage underscores the transient nature of earthly power, wealth, and glory when compared to the enduring and ultimate authority of the Lord God, reminding us that true security and lasting significance are found only in Him.

* [Isaiah 14:24](/isaiah/14-24 "Isaiah 14:24 - God's Unchanging Purpose")
* [Jeremiah 1:12](/jeremiah/1-12 "Jeremiah 1:12 - God Watches Over His Word")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 26:14, though a prophecy of judgment against an ancient city, carries profound and timeless implications for us today. It serves as a potent reminder that all earthly power, wealth, and perceived security are ultimately fleeting and subject to the sovereign will of God. We are called to examine our own hearts and societies for any hint of the pride and self-sufficiency that characterized Tyre. Do we trust in our economic strength, technological advancements, or military might more than we trust in the living God? This verse challenges us to reorient our priorities, recognizing that true and lasting security comes not from accumulating worldly treasures or building impregnable fortresses, but from humility before God and obedience to His word. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that God's word is utterly reliable and His justice will ultimately prevail, ensuring that every word He has spoken will be fulfilled.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be tempted to place trust in earthly achievements or resources rather than in God's sovereignty?**
* **How does the historical fulfillment of prophecies like Ezekiel 26:14 strengthen my faith in the reliability and authority of God's Word?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate humility and a greater dependence on God in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Tyre's destruction being "like the top of a rock" and "built no more"?**

Answer: The significance lies in the completeness and permanence of its desolation. Tyre was a city built on a rocky island, known for its formidable defenses and towering structures. To be made "like the top of a rock" means it would be stripped bare of all its buildings, leaving only the exposed, barren rock surface, a stark image of utter ruin. The phrase "built no more" is a categorical declaration that it would never recover its former glory or be re-established as a significant city. This was fulfilled when Alexander the Great used the rubble of the mainland city to build a causeway to the island in 332 BC, effectively scraping the site clean and preventing any future rebuilding, turning it into a place suitable only for drying fishing nets, as prophesied in [Ezekiel 26:5](/ezekiel/26-5 "Ezekiel 26:5 - Tyre to be a Drying Place for Nets").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 26:14 directly concerns the judgment of Tyre, its Christ-centered fulfillment is found in the broader theological principles it embodies, particularly God's unwavering sovereignty, the certainty of His word, and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom over all earthly powers. Tyre's pride and self-sufficiency, leading to its downfall, foreshadow the ultimate judgment upon all who reject God's authority and exalt themselves. In Christ, we see the perfect embodiment of God's righteous judgment and His redemptive power. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came to Save")), yet He also warned of the judgment to come for those who refuse to believe ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Those Who Do Not Believe Are Condemned")). The finality of Tyre's destruction points to the ultimate and irreversible nature of God's judgment at the end of the age, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow")). For those in Christ, the certainty of God's word brings not condemnation but the assurance of eternal life and the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")), a stark contrast to the permanent desolation pronounced upon those who defy 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

Job 12:14

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

Malachi 1:4

Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

Deuteronomy 13:16

And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.

Ezekiel 26:4

And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.

Ezekiel 26:5

It shall be [a place for] the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken [it], saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.

Isaiah 14:27

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul [it]? and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Numbers 23:19

God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?