Ezekiel 26:19

For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee;

For thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; When I shall make {H5414} thee a desolate {H2717} city {H5892}, like the cities {H5892} that are not inhabited {H3427}; when I shall bring up {H5927} the deep {H8415} upon thee, and great {H7227} waters {H4325} shall cover {H3680} thee;

"For here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'When I make you a ruined city, like other uninhabited cities; when I bring the deep sea over you, and its mighty waters cover you;

For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When I make you a desolate city like other deserted cities, and when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you,

For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and the great waters shall cover thee;

Ezekiel 26:19 delivers a powerful and vivid prophecy of judgment against the ancient city of Tyre, emphasizing the absolute and overwhelming nature of its impending destruction. This verse, spoken by "the Lord GOD," underscores divine authority and the certainty of His word.

Context

Chapters 26-28 of Ezekiel contain a series of pronouncements against Tyre, a wealthy and influential Phoenician city-state renowned for its maritime trade and formidable fortifications. Tyre's immense pride, its commercial prowess, and its callous rejoicing over the destruction of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 26:2) drew the Lord's wrath. This specific verse paints a picture of complete annihilation, likening Tyre's future state to cities utterly devoid of inhabitants. Historically, Tyre faced prolonged sieges, notably by Nebuchadnezzar and later by Alexander the Great, which eventually led to its decline and eventual desolation, fulfilling these prophecies.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse explicitly states, "For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city," highlighting God's active role in executing judgment. This is not a random misfortune but a deliberate act of divine justice against a proud and unrepentant city.
  • Total Desolation: The imagery of being "like the cities that are not inhabited" and "great waters shall cover thee" conveys a complete and irreversible ruin. It speaks to a level of destruction that leaves no trace of its former glory or population.
  • Overwhelming Force: "When I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee" metaphorically describes an overwhelming force that will engulf Tyre. The "deep" (Hebrew: tehom), often associated with chaotic, primordial waters, here symbolizes an inescapable flood of destruction, whether from invading armies or the sheer force of God's judgment. This echoes themes of overwhelming destruction found in other biblical judgments, such as the great flood in Genesis.
  • God's Sovereignty: This prophecy powerfully asserts God's ultimate authority over nations and their destinies. No city, however mighty or secure, is beyond His reach or judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the deep" comes from the Hebrew word tehom (תְּהוֹם), which often refers to the primeval ocean or a vast, unfathomable abyss. In this context, it is used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming, inescapable force of destruction that will completely submerge Tyre. It signifies not necessarily literal water, but a catastrophic engulfment, leaving the city in a state of utter ruin, as if drowned by the very forces it once mastered in its maritime trade. The idea of "great waters shall cover thee" reinforces this imagery of complete submersion and annihilation, reflecting the totality of God's judgment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 26:19 serves as a sober reminder of several timeless truths:

  • God's Justice is Sure: While God is merciful, He is also just. Impenitent pride and opposition to His will ultimately lead to judgment, even if it is delayed.
  • Warning Against Pride: Tyre's downfall stemmed from its pride and self-sufficiency. This verse reminds us that reliance on worldly wealth, power, or human ingenuity apart from God is ultimately futile (Proverbs 16:18).
  • God's Control Over History: The detailed fulfillment of prophecies like this underscores God's sovereignty over the rise and fall of nations and empires, assuring believers that He is actively working out His purposes in history (Daniel 4:17).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 8:7

    Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

  • Isaiah 8:8

    And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

  • Ezekiel 26:3

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.

  • Daniel 9:26

    And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

  • Revelation 17:15

    And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

  • Daniel 11:40

    And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

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