Ezekiel 26:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall destroy {H7843} the walls {H2346} of Tyrus {H6865}, and break down {H2040} her towers {H4026}: I will also scrape {H5500} her dust {H6083} from her, and make {H5414} her like the top {H6706} of a rock {H5553}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will destroy the walls of Tzor, they will demolish her towers. I will scrape its soil from her and reduce her to bare rock.

Berean Standard Bible

They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and make her a bare rock.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 26:4 powerfully declares God's comprehensive judgment against the proud maritime city of Tyre, foretelling its utter destruction. The prophecy details how its formidable walls and towers would be demolished, its very dust scraped away, leaving it as barren and exposed as the top of a bare rock. This verse encapsulates the divine decree that no earthly power, however mighty or self-sufficient, can withstand the sovereign will and righteous judgment of the Lord, serving as a stark testament to the consequences of human arrogance and defiance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 26:4 is an integral part of a lengthy series of prophecies against foreign nations, specifically targeting Tyre, found in [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre") through [Ezekiel 28](/ezekiel/28 "Ezekiel 28 - Further Prophecies Against Tyre and Sidon"). This particular judgment against Tyre begins in [Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Rejoicing Over Jerusalem's Fall"), where the Lord articulates His wrath because Tyre rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, seeing it as an opportunity to gain commercial advantage. The preceding verses set the stage for the detailed and devastating pronouncements that follow, painting a vivid picture of the city's impending ruin at the hands of many nations, culminating in the complete desolation described in verse 4 and the subsequent [Ezekiel 26:5](/ezekiel/26-5 "Ezekiel 26:5 - Tyre Becomes a Place for Spreading Nets").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was an ancient and immensely powerful Phoenician city-state, renowned for its maritime trade, vast wealth, and seemingly impregnable fortifications. Divided into a mainland city and a well-defended island fortress, Tyre was a dominant force in the Mediterranean, boasting sophisticated engineering and a global commercial network. Its culture was deeply intertwined with its mercantile pursuits, often leading to a sense of self-sufficiency and pride, which is directly addressed by God's judgment. Geographically, its coastal location made it a strategic hub, but also exposed it to naval powers. The prophecy was delivered during a time when the Babylonian Empire was ascendant, and Judah had fallen, underscoring the precarious geopolitical landscape and God's sovereign control over even the mightiest empires.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute authority over all nations and His willingness to execute justice upon those who oppose His purposes or gloat over the suffering of His people. It highlights the **Consequences of Pride and Materialism**, as Tyre's downfall is directly linked to its arrogance and reliance on its wealth and fortifications rather than on God. This echoes warnings found throughout Scripture, such as in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Furthermore, the highly specific nature of the prophecy, particularly the detail of "scraping her dust," emphasizes the theme of **Prophetic Accuracy and Fulfillment**, serving as a powerful testament to the divine inspiration and reliability of God's Word, as seen in its later historical realization.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroy (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** H7843, a primitive root meaning "to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively); batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r)." This word emphasizes a thorough and complete ruination, not just a partial dismantling, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the judgment.
* **scrape (Hebrew, _çâchâh'_):** H5500, a primitive root meaning "to sweep away; scrape." This is a remarkably precise and vivid term, suggesting an aggressive and complete removal of all loose material, leaving nothing behind. It implies an act of cleansing or stripping bare, rendering the area utterly desolate and uninhabitable.
* **rock (Hebrew, _çelaʻ'_):** H5553, from an unused root meaning "to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress); (ragged) rock, stone(-ny), strong hold." Here, it refers to a bare, craggy surface, devoid of soil or vegetation. The comparison to the "top of a rock" signifies an ultimate state of barrenness and exposure, a stark contrast to Tyre's former prosperity and fortified state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus,"**: This clause declares the initial phase of Tyre's downfall, focusing on its primary defense mechanisms. The "walls" (H2346, _chôwmâh_) represent its security and strength, which were considered impregnable. The use of "they" indicates that multiple nations or forces would be involved in this destructive act, as prophesied in [Ezekiel 26:3](/ezekiel/26-3 "Ezekiel 26:3 - Many Nations Against Tyre").
* **"and break down her towers:"**: Complementing the destruction of the walls, the "towers" (H4026, _migdâl_), which served as watchtowers and defensive strongholds, would also be systematically dismantled. This signifies the complete dismantling of Tyre's military and protective infrastructure, leaving it utterly vulnerable. The verb "break down" (H2040, _hâraç_) reinforces the idea of pulling down or demolishing in pieces.
* **"I will also scrape her dust from her,"**: This is the most striking and specific part of the prophecy, highlighting the divine agency ("I will also scrape"). "Scrape" (H5500, _çâchâh_) conveys a thorough removal, while "dust" (H6083, _ʻâphâr_) refers to the very soil, debris, and accumulated remnants of the city. This implies an unprecedented level of desolation, where even the ground on which the city stood would be cleared away.
* **"and make her like the top of a rock."**: This final clause describes the ultimate outcome of God's judgment. The verb "make" (H5414, _nâthan_) signifies God's direct action in bringing about this state. To be "like the top (H6706, _tsᵉchîyach_) of a rock (H5553, _çelaʻ_)" paints a picture of extreme barrenness, a place utterly devoid of life, vegetation, or human habitation, exposed and unusable, suitable only for the spreading of fishing nets as mentioned in the subsequent verse.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 26:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey the severity and totality of God's judgment. The most prominent is **Simile**, seen in the phrase "make her like the top of a rock," which vividly compares the future state of Tyre to a barren, exposed crag, emphasizing its utter desolation and lack of habitation. This is further amplified by **Hyperbole**, as the idea of "scraping her dust" suggests an almost impossible level of thoroughness, underscoring the extreme nature of the destruction. The repeated use of destructive verbs like "destroy," "break down," and "scrape" creates a powerful sense of **Anaphora** (though not strictly at the beginning of clauses, but a thematic repetition of action) and **Climax**, building from the tearing down of fortifications to the complete eradication of the city's very foundation. Finally, the declaration "I will also scrape her dust from her" highlights **Divine Fiat** and **Anthropomorphism**, attributing direct, decisive action to God, emphasizing His sovereign control over the fate of nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 26:4 stands as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty and unwavering justice. It reveals that no earthly power, wealth, or military might can withstand the divine decree when a nation's pride and malice reach a point of judgment. Tyre's boastful rejoicing over Jerusalem's fall ([Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Rejoicing Over Jerusalem's Fall")) directly provoked this devastating prophecy, illustrating that God holds nations accountable for their attitudes and actions towards His people. The precise and thorough nature of the predicted destruction underscores God's meticulous fulfillment of His word, serving as a powerful reminder that His prophecies are not mere warnings but certain declarations of future events, whether of judgment or blessing.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Ezekiel 26:5](/ezekiel/26-5 "Ezekiel 26:5 - Tyre Becomes a Place for Spreading Nets")
* [Isaiah 23:1](/isaiah/23-1 "Isaiah 23:1 - Prophecy Against Tyre")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 26:4 offers timeless lessons for both nations and individuals. It serves as a stark warning against the dangers of pride, self-sufficiency, and materialism. Tyre, with all its wealth and fortifications, ultimately met its prophesied end because it forgot its place before a sovereign God and even rejoiced in the misfortune of His chosen people. This reminds us that true security and lasting prosperity are not found in earthly achievements or accumulated riches, but in humility before God and alignment with His purposes. For believers, the precise fulfillment of this prophecy, centuries after its utterance, powerfully reinforces the trustworthiness and divine inspiration of the Bible. It strengthens our faith in God's Word, assuring us that His promises of salvation are as certain as His warnings of judgment. We are called to examine our own hearts, ensuring that our confidence rests in God alone, and that we do not find satisfaction in the downfall of others, but rather seek justice, mercy, and humility in all our dealings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be tempted to rely on earthly "walls and towers" (e.g., wealth, status, power) instead of God?**
* **How does the precise fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen my trust in the reliability of God's Word today?**
* **What attitudes or actions in my life might reflect the pride and self-sufficiency that led to Tyre's downfall?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that grieves over the suffering of others, rather than finding satisfaction in their misfortunes?**

### FAQ

**Was the prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 26:4 literally fulfilled?**
Answer: Yes, the prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 26:4, particularly the detail of "scraping her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock," saw a remarkably precise and literal fulfillment. While Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged mainland Tyre for 13 years (586-573 BC), as mentioned in [Ezekiel 29:18](/ezekiel/29-18 "Ezekiel 29:18 - Nebuchadnezzar's Unrewarded Siege"), the complete desolation described in verse 4 occurred much later. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great besieged the island city of Tyre. To bridge the gap to the island, he famously used the rubble, stones, and earth from the destroyed mainland city to build a massive causeway. This act literally "scraped her dust from her," leaving the mainland site barren and exposed, "like the top of a rock," fulfilling the prophecy that it would become a place for spreading nets ([Ezekiel 26:5](/ezekiel/26-5 "Ezekiel 26:5 - Tyre Becomes a Place for Spreading Nets")). This historical event is widely cited as one of the most compelling examples of fulfilled biblical prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 26:4, with its vivid portrayal of the complete destruction of a seemingly impregnable city, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's eternal kingdom over all earthly powers and the final judgment of sin. Just as Tyre's walls and towers could not withstand divine judgment, so too will all human systems, kingdoms, and strongholds that oppose God be utterly dismantled before Christ's sovereign rule. The "scraping of dust" and rendering of Tyre "like the top of a rock" foreshadows the absolute and comprehensive nature of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the forces of evil. He is the true and everlasting [Rock of our salvation](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock"), against whom the gates of hell cannot prevail ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")). While earthly cities and their pride crumble to dust, the New Jerusalem, the eternal city of God, descends from heaven ([Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem")), built not with walls that can be destroyed, but on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The judgment on Tyre serves as a microcosm of the ultimate judgment of all ungodliness and the establishment of Christ's kingdom, which is eternal and unshakable ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakable Kingdom")), where all earthly pride and power are brought to nothing before the glory of the Lamb of God.

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

Amos 1:10

But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.

Isaiah 23:11

He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant [city], to destroy the strong holds thereof.

Ezekiel 26:9

And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.

Leviticus 14:41

And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place:

Leviticus 14:45

And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the morter of the house; and he shall carry [them] forth out of the city into an unclean place.

Ezekiel 24:7

For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;

Ezekiel 24:8

That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.