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.

Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus {H6865}, and will cause many {H7227} nations {H1471} to come up {H5927} against thee, as the sea {H3220} causeth his waves {H1530} to come up {H5927}.

therefore, Adonai ELOHIM says, 'Look, Tzor! I am against you. Just as the sea churns up its waves, I will churn up many nations against you.

therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, O Tyre, I am against you, and I will raise up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.

therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I am against thee, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth its waves to come up.

Ezekiel 26:3 delivers a powerful and direct declaration of divine judgment against the ancient city of Tyre. This verse sets the stage for a detailed prophecy describing the utter destruction of a proud and prosperous maritime power.

Context

The city of Tyrus (Tyre) was a renowned Phoenician port city, famous for its wealth, extensive trade networks, and formidable fortifications. It was located on the Mediterranean coast, with a significant part of the city built on an island, making it seem impregnable. However, Tyre rejoiced at the downfall of Jerusalem, seeing it as an opportunity to expand its own commercial interests (as mentioned in Ezekiel 26:2). This verse reveals God's response to Tyre's arrogance and its opportunistic stance against His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus" underscores God's absolute authority over nations and His active involvement in human history. He is not merely observing but is the prime mover behind the events that will unfold. This highlights God's sovereignty over all kingdoms.
  • Relentless Opposition: The vivid simile, "as the sea causeth his waves to come up," graphically portrays the nature of the attack. It suggests not just one overwhelming force, but a succession of waves, meaning multiple nations or successive waves of attack, each relentless and powerful, until Tyre is completely overwhelmed.
  • Consequences of Pride and Arrogance: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of the prophecy against Tyre (Ezekiel 26-28) reveals that Tyre's judgment stems from its immense pride, self-sufficiency, and exploitation. This serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of trusting in wealth and power rather than God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "waves" (gallim) perfectly conveys the image of rolling, successive surges of water. The simile "as the sea causeth his waves to come up" (Hebrew: ka'asher ya'aleh hayam galav) is exceptionally powerful. It emphasizes the irresistible and continuous nature of the destruction that God would bring upon Tyre, suggesting that one wave of attack would be followed by another until the city was utterly submerged, much like a coast battered by an unending succession of powerful waves.

Historical Fulfillment

This prophecy saw partial fulfillment with Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who besieged mainland Tyre for thirteen years (c. 586-573 BC), as referenced in Ezekiel 29:18. However, the island city remained largely intact. The complete and dramatic fulfillment came nearly 250 years later with Alexander the Great in 332 BC. He famously built a causeway from the mainland to the island, using the rubble of the old city, and then conquered the island fortress, utterly destroying it and scattering its inhabitants. This act perfectly matched the imagery of "many nations" (represented by Alexander's multi-ethnic army) coming against Tyre like relentless waves, leaving it a desolate place, as detailed in Ezekiel 26:12.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 26:3 reminds us that no human power, no matter how strong or wealthy, is beyond God's reach or judgment. It serves as a stark warning against pride, self-sufficiency, and materialism. When nations or individuals place their trust in their own might or riches, they stand in opposition to God. Conversely, this verse also offers assurance to believers that God is in control of all world events, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires according to His sovereign plan. It encourages humility and reliance on God, recognizing that pride goes before destruction.

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.

  • Jeremiah 51:42

    The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.

  • Isaiah 5:30

    And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if [one] look unto the land, behold darkness [and] sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

  • Ezekiel 27:32

    And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, [saying], What [city is] like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?

  • Ezekiel 27:34

    In the time [when] thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.

  • Micah 4:11

    Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.

  • Ezekiel 27:26

    ¶ Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.

  • Ezekiel 28:22

    And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

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