Ezekiel 26:8

KJV

He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall slay {H2026} with the sword {H2719} thy daughters {H1323} in the field {H7704}: and he shall make {H5414} a fort {H1785} against thee, and cast {H8210} a mount {H5550} against thee, and lift up {H6965} the buckler {H6793} against thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Your daughters on the mainland he will put to death with the sword. He will build siege-towers against you, he will build a ramp against you and raise a screen of shields against you.

Berean Standard Bible

He will slaughter the villages of your mainland with the sword; he will set up siege works against you, build a ramp to your walls, and raise his shields against you.

American Standard Version

He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field; and he shall make forts against thee, and cast up a mound against thee, and raise up the buckler against thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 26:8 vividly prophesies the brutal and comprehensive siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as an instrument of divine judgment. The verse details the initial stages of this devastating assault, describing the slaughter of the city's outlying populations ("daughters in the field") and the meticulous construction of siege works—specifically, a circumvallation ("fort"), a siege ramp ("mount"), and the advance of shielded soldiers ("buckler")—all designed to relentlessly press the attack against the proud maritime city. It underscores the precision and severity of God's declared judgment against Tyre's arrogance and self-sufficiency.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of oracles against foreign nations, specifically targeting the Phoenician city of Tyre in [Ezekiel chapters 26-28](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel's Prophecy Against Tyre"). Following the prophecy against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia in [Ezekiel 25](/ezekiel/25 "Ezekiel 25 - Prophecies Against Neighboring Nations"), Ezekiel turns his attention to Tyre, a powerful and wealthy maritime trading hub. The immediate preceding verse, [Ezekiel 26:7](/ezekiel/26-7 "Ezekiel 26:7 - Nebuchadnezzar Identified as God's Instrument"), explicitly names Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as the divine agent for this judgment. Thus, verse 8 elaborates on the specific military tactics and devastating consequences of the Babylonian invasion, setting the stage for the more detailed descriptions of Tyre's fall and lament found in the subsequent verses and chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city, was renowned for its immense wealth, naval power, and extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean. It consisted of two parts: a mainland settlement and an island city, which was considered impregnable. At the time of Ezekiel's prophecy (early 6th century BCE), Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar was the dominant regional power, systematically conquering and consolidating its empire. Tyre's pride likely stemmed from its perceived invincibility and its commercial prosperity, which led it to rejoice at the downfall of Jerusalem (as implied in [Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Reaction to Jerusalem's Fall")). The siege tactics described in [Ezekiel 26:8](/ezekiel/26-8 "Ezekiel 26:8 - The Siege of Tyre")—the construction of forts (circumvallation walls), mounts (siege ramps), and the use of bucklers (large shields)—were standard, sophisticated methods of ancient Near Eastern siege warfare, confirming the historical accuracy of the prophecy.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Judgment on Tyre") and particularly in verse 8 include **Divine Judgment** and **God's Sovereignty over Nations**. The detailed description of Tyre's destruction underscores that no nation, regardless of its wealth or strength, is beyond the reach of God's righteous judgment for its pride and defiance. This judgment is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of Tyre's arrogance and its perceived self-sufficiency, which effectively denied God's ultimate authority. Furthermore, the explicit naming of Nebuchadnezzar as God's instrument highlights the theme of **God's Use of Human Agents** to fulfill His purposes, even those who do not acknowledge Him. The precision of the prophecy also reinforces the **Reliability of God's Word**, demonstrating that His declarations will be meticulously fulfilled, as seen in the broader prophetic narrative of [Ezekiel](/ezekiel "The Book of Ezekiel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **slay (Hebrew, _hârag'_):** From H2026, a primitive root meaning "to smite with deadly intent." This word conveys the brutal and lethal nature of the attack. It is not merely to defeat or conquer, but to kill, murder, and make slaughter. In the context of "thy daughters in the field," it emphasizes the merciless execution of the inhabitants of Tyre's vulnerable outlying settlements, signifying a complete and devastating obliteration rather than just military subjugation.
* **daughters (Hebrew, _bath'_):** From H1323, this term is derived from the root for "to build" and functions as the feminine of "son." While literally referring to female offspring, in this context, it is used idiomatically (a common practice in biblical Hebrew) to refer to the dependent towns, villages, or settlements surrounding a main city. The phrase "daughters in the field" therefore signifies the destruction of Tyre's unprotected, rural populations and their associated communities, indicating that the judgment would extend beyond the fortified island city itself to its entire sphere of influence.
* **fort (Hebrew, _dâyêq'_):** From H1785, this noun refers to a "battering-tower" or, more broadly, a "fort." In the context of ancient siege warfare, a _dayeq_ typically denotes a circumvallation wall—a continuous wall built by besiegers around a city to prevent escape, block relief efforts, and ensure the city's complete isolation. Its construction signifies a long-term, determined, and inescapable siege, demonstrating the Babylonians' intent to utterly subdue Tyre.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field":** This opening clause immediately establishes the violent and comprehensive nature of the judgment. "He" refers to Nebuchadnezzar, acting as God's agent. The "sword" is the instrument of death, emphasizing the military conquest. "Thy daughters in the field" refers to the vulnerable, unfortified towns and villages on the mainland that were under Tyre's control. This indicates that the initial phase of the Babylonian assault would target and decimate Tyre's agricultural base and satellite communities, cutting off its resources and projecting the terror of the impending siege on the main city.
* **"and he shall make a fort against thee,"** This describes the construction of a _dayeq_, a siege wall or circumvallation. This military engineering feat would completely encircle the besieged city, effectively sealing it off from the outside world. This action signifies a determined, methodical, and prolonged siege strategy, designed to starve out the city and prevent any external aid from reaching it, thereby guaranteeing its eventual fall.
* **"and cast a mount against thee,"** This refers to the building of a _solelah_, a siege ramp or mound. This massive earthen ramp, often reinforced with timber, would be constructed to gradually rise to the height of the city walls. Its purpose was to allow besieging forces to bring battering rams directly against the walls, or to provide a platform for archers and other assault troops to breach the fortifications, indicating the direct and aggressive assault on the city's defenses.
* **"and lift up the buckler against thee."** The "buckler" (Hebrew: _tsinnâh_) was a large, full-body shield used by ancient soldiers. "Lifting up the buckler" signifies the advance of infantry, protected by these shields, moving forward to engage in close-quarters combat against the city's defenders. This imagery conveys the direct, dangerous, and relentless nature of the Babylonian assault, with soldiers pressing forward under the protection of their shields, ready to breach the walls.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 26:8 employs powerful **Imagery** to paint a vivid picture of the impending destruction. The phrase "slay with the sword thy daughters in the field" evokes a scene of brutal, widespread violence against defenseless populations, emphasizing the totality of the judgment. The detailed description of siege works—the "fort," "mount," and "buckler"—creates a stark military tableau, allowing the reader to visualize the methodical and overwhelming nature of the Babylonian assault. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "daughters" to represent the outlying towns and villages, a common biblical idiom that humanizes the targets of destruction and highlights the familial relationship between the main city and its dependencies. The entire verse functions as a **Prophecy**, a divine declaration of future events, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and control over history. The repeated phrase "against thee" (implied and explicit) serves as a form of **Anaphora** or **Repetition**, emphasizing the direct, focused, and relentless nature of the attack against Tyre. This rhetorical device underscores the inevitability and personal nature of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 26:8 powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. Tyre's downfall, meticulously detailed in this prophecy, serves as a stark reminder that no earthly power, however wealthy or seemingly impregnable, can defy the divine will with impunity. The precision with which the siege tactics are described—the fort, the mount, the buckler—underscores the meticulous nature of God's judgment, demonstrating that His word is not merely a general declaration but a specific, detailed blueprint for historical events. This passage affirms that God uses even pagan empires like Babylon as instruments of His righteous judgment, orchestrating the rise and fall of kingdoms according to His purposes. It calls all nations and individuals to humility and repentance, warning against the perils of pride, self-sufficiency, and reliance on material wealth rather than on the Creator.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 23:1-18](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre")
* [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules in the Kingdom of Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 26:8, though a historical prophecy of judgment against an ancient city, carries profound and timeless implications for contemporary reflection and application. It compels us to consider the nature of divine justice and the ultimate accountability of all human endeavors before God. The detailed description of Tyre's fall serves as a potent warning against the dangers of national or personal pride, the deceptive allure of material wealth, and the illusion of self-sufficiency. In a world often driven by economic power and technological advancement, this verse reminds us that true security and lasting prosperity are found not in human achievements or fortifications, but in humble submission to God's sovereign will. It challenges us to examine where we place our trust—in our own strength, our possessions, or in the unfailing word of God. The certainty of this prophecy's fulfillment also strengthens our faith in the reliability of God's promises and warnings, urging us to take His word seriously in all aspects of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I, or my community, tend to place our ultimate trust and security (e.g., wealth, power, reputation) instead of in God?**
* **How does the detailed fulfillment of this prophecy against Tyre reinforce my confidence in the truthfulness and authority of God's Word in my own life?**
* **In what ways might I be exhibiting pride or self-sufficiency that needs to be brought before God in humility?**

### FAQ
**What does "thy daughters in the field" mean in Ezekiel 26:8?**

Answer: In biblical Hebrew, the term "daughters" (Hebrew: _bath_) is often used idiomatically to refer not only to female offspring but also to the dependent towns, villages, or settlements surrounding a main city. Therefore, "thy daughters in the field" refers to the vulnerable, unfortified communities and agricultural areas on the mainland that were under the control of the city of Tyre. The phrase signifies that the Babylonian judgment would extend beyond the heavily fortified island city itself, encompassing and destroying its entire sphere of influence and outlying populations, thereby cutting off its resources and projecting the full terror of the siege. This highlights the comprehensive nature of the impending destruction, affecting both the urban core and its rural dependencies, as seen in the broader context of [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 26:8 describes a specific historical judgment against Tyre, its underlying theological principles find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The relentless siege and total destruction prophesied for Tyre, a city characterized by pride and self-sufficiency, foreshadows the spiritual judgment that falls upon all humanity apart from Christ. Just as Nebuchadnezzar was God's instrument for physical judgment, Christ is the ultimate agent of God's judgment, but also His ultimate provision for salvation. The "slaying with the sword" and the meticulous siege operations against Tyre, which brought about its utter desolation, speak to the severity of sin and its inevitable consequence. However, in the New Covenant, the "sword" of judgment is turned away from those who are in Christ, for He Himself became the object of divine wrath, enduring the ultimate "slaying" on the cross. The "fort," "mount," and "buckler" of the besieging army, representing an inescapable assault, find their spiritual parallel in the overwhelming power of sin and death that held humanity captive. Yet, Christ, through His death and resurrection, "made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). He is the one who breaks down the spiritual walls of separation ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), casts down the strongholds of sin ([2 Corinthians 10:4](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4 - Spiritual Warfare")), and lifts up the shield of faith for His people ([Ephesians 6:16](/ephesians/6-16 "Ephesians 6:16 - The Shield of Faith")), transforming judgment into salvation for all who believe. Thus, Tyre's fall stands as a grim warning of judgment, but in Christ, we find the ultimate deliverance from that judgment and the promise of eternal life.

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

Ezekiel 21:22

At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint [battering] rams against the gates, to cast a mount, [and] to build a fort.

Jeremiah 32:24

Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest [it].

Jeremiah 52:4

And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

Jeremiah 6:6

For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this [is] the city to be visited; she [is] wholly oppression in the midst of her.

2 Samuel 20:15

And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that [were] with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.