Ezekiel 26:18

Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that [are] in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure.

Now shall the isles {H339} tremble {H2729} in the day {H3117} of thy fall {H4658}; yea, the isles {H339} that are in the sea {H3220} shall be troubled {H926} at thy departure {H3318}.

Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your downfall, and the islands in the sea are in shock at your end.'

Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your downfall; the islands in the sea are dismayed by your demise.โ€โ€™

Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be dismayed at thy departure.

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 26:18 is part of a series of prophecies against the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre, a dominant maritime power known for its immense wealth, extensive trade networks, and perceived invincibility. This chapter, beginning with God's declaration against Tyre in Ezekiel 26:1, foretells its complete destruction. Verse 18 specifically describes the shockwaves this fall would send across the world, particularly among its trading partners who relied on Tyre's commercial prowess. The "isles" refer to the various coastal regions, islands, and maritime nations that conducted business with this powerful city, highlighting the far-reaching impact of Tyre's demise.

Key Themes

  • Far-Reaching Judgment: The verse emphasizes that God's judgment on Tyre would not be confined to the city itself. Its fall would trigger widespread fear and economic disruption among nations far and wide, demonstrating the profound impact of divine intervention.
  • Instability of Worldly Power: Tyreโ€™s seemingly impregnable position and vast wealth were ultimately ephemeral. This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly empires, no matter how strong, are subject to God's ultimate authority and can be brought low, a theme echoed in Psalm 33:10 regarding God's overturning of the counsel of the nations.
  • Consequences of Pride and Materialism: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Ezekiel's prophecies against Tyre (e.g., Ezekiel 28:2) highlights that its pride and reliance on material wealth were key reasons for its downfall. The trembling of the "isles" signifies the collapse of a system built on these foundations.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "isles" translates the Hebrew term 'iyyim (ืึดื™ึดึผื™ื), which broadly refers to coastlands, islands, or maritime territories. This highlights Tyre's extensive reach as a trading hub, making its impending collapse a global event in the ancient world's understanding. The words "tremble" (ื—ึธืจึทื“, charad) and "troubled" (ื—ึธืœึธื”, chalah) convey a sense of deep fear, shock, and distress, indicating not just an economic downturn but a profound psychological impact on those who witnessed or experienced Tyre's demise.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 26:18 offers timeless lessons for contemporary society. It reminds us that:

  • No Nation is Immune: Even the most powerful and economically dominant entities are accountable to divine justice. History repeatedly shows the rise and fall of empires, often due to internal moral decay or external judgment.
  • Interconnectedness of Economies: The "trembling of the isles" illustrates how the fall of a major economic player can have ripple effects globally, a concept very relevant in today's interconnected world.
  • Warning Against Materialism: The prophecy serves as a cautionary tale against placing ultimate trust in wealth, trade, or military might. True security and stability are found not in earthly possessions but in aligning with God's will. This aligns with the New Testament warning against the love of money as the root of all evil.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 23:5

    As at the report concerning Egypt, [so] shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.

  • Isaiah 23:7

    [Is] this your joyous [city], whose antiquity [is] of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.

  • Ezekiel 26:15

    ยถ 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.

  • Ezekiel 27:30

    And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:

  • Ezekiel 27:35

    All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in [their] countenance.

  • Isaiah 23:10

    Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: [there is] no more strength.
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