Ezekiel 26:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall set {H5414} engines {H4239} of war {H6904} against thy walls {H2346}, and with his axes {H2719} he shall break down {H5422} thy towers {H4026}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will pound your walls with his battering-rams and break down your towers with his axes.

Berean Standard Bible

He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and tear down your towers with his axes.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 26:9 delivers a stark prophecy detailing the precise and devastating military tactics Nebuchadnezzar would employ against the formidable city of Tyre. This verse, part of a larger oracle against the proud maritime power, vividly portrays the methodical and overwhelming force of the Babylonian siege, emphasizing the use of advanced "engines of war" and destructive "axes" to dismantle Tyre's seemingly impregnable walls and towers, thereby fulfilling God's declared judgment against its arrogance and commercial exploitation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 26:9 is situated within a series of divine judgments (chapters 25-32) pronounced against the nations surrounding Israel, with a concentrated focus on Tyre in chapters 26-28. This oracle against Tyre immediately follows prophecies against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, underscoring God's universal sovereignty over all nations and His righteous indignation against those who oppose His people or His moral order. The preceding verses in chapter 26 establish the primary reason for Tyre's impending judgment: its gloating over Jerusalem's destruction and its opportunistic intent to profit from Judah's downfall, as explicitly stated in [Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Reaction to Jerusalem's Fall"). The entire chapter meticulously outlines the various stages of Tyre's destruction, from initial land-based assault to its eventual maritime desolation, with verse 9 providing a specific, detailed description of the land siege's destructive methods before the final, complete ruin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city, renowned for its immense wealth derived from an extensive and sophisticated maritime trade network that spanned the Mediterranean. It was comprised of a mainland settlement and a highly fortified island fortress, which made it a formidable symbol of human ingenuity, self-sufficiency, and perceived invincibility. At the time of Ezekiel's prophecy (early 6th century BCE), the Neo-Babylonian Empire, under the formidable leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, was the dominant regional power, having recently conquered Jerusalem. Tyre's strategic location and seemingly impregnable defenses made it a significant target for Babylonian expansion. Historical records corroborate Nebuchadnezzar's lengthy siege of Tyre, which famously lasted thirteen years (c. 586-573 BCE), a testament to the city's extraordinary resilience and the immense difficulty of its conquest. The "engines of war" and "axes" mentioned in the verse reflect the advanced siege technology employed by the Babylonian army, which included powerful battering rams, mobile siege towers, and various demolition tools designed to overcome the most robust fortifications of the ancient world.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes present within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** against national pride, hubris, and commercial exploitation. Tyre's catastrophic fall serves as a stark warning that even the most powerful, wealthy, and self-sufficient human enterprises are ultimately subject to God's righteous wrath when they defy His moral order, gloat over the suffering of His people, or prioritize material gain above all else, a principle echoed throughout Scripture, such as in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction"). Secondly, the highly detailed nature of the prophecy highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy** and the absolute certainty of God's word. The specific mention of siege engines and axes demonstrates God's precise foreknowledge and meticulous control over historical events, affirming the reliability and infallibility of His declarations. Lastly, the verse offers a chilling and realistic glimpse into the brutal realities of **Ancient Warfare**, particularly siege tactics, illustrating the destructive power and methodical approach of conquering armies in dismantling fortified cities. This theme is further explored in other prophetic accounts of judgment, such as the detailed description of the siege and fall of Jerusalem in [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **engines (Hebrew, _mᵉchîy'_):** From H4239, meaning "a stroke, i.e., battering-ram." This term refers to powerful siege instruments designed to deliver devastating, repeated blows against fortified structures. In the context of ancient warfare, these were primarily battering rams—massive wooden beams, often tipped with metal, swung or pushed with immense force against walls to create breaches. The word implies a forceful, destructive impact, signaling the primary means of breaching Tyre's defenses.
* **axes (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** From H2719, meaning "a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement; axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool." While often translated as "sword" in other contexts, in the context of siege warfare and demolition, "axes" or "mattocks" are more appropriate. These would have been heavy, sharp tools used by soldiers to hack away at weakened sections of walls, wooden gates, or the foundations of towers, facilitating their collapse after the initial battering ram assaults.
* **towers (Hebrew, _migdâl'_):** From H4026, meaning "a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers; castle, flower, tower." These were tall, fortified structures built into or along city walls, providing elevated positions for defenders to observe and repel attackers. Their destruction signifies the complete dismantling of the city's defensive capabilities, removing any vantage point or stronghold from which resistance could be mounted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall set engines of war against thy walls":** This initial clause describes the direct and methodical assault on Tyre's primary defenses. The pronoun "he" refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, who is identified by God as the divinely appointed instrument of judgment. The "engines of war" (specifically battering rams, as indicated by the underlying Hebrew terms _mᵉchîy_ and _qôbel_) would be strategically positioned and relentlessly driven against the city's formidable walls. This action signifies a systematic and overwhelming military strategy, designed to breach the city's outer defenses through brute force and advanced siege technology, highlighting the inevitability of the attack and the sheer power brought to bear against Tyre.
* **"and with his axes he shall break down thy towers":** This second clause details the subsequent, comprehensive phase of destruction, focusing on the city's vertical strongholds. Once the walls were weakened or breached by the battering rams, soldiers would employ "axes" (heavy cutting and demolition tools) to systematically dismantle the "towers." The verb "break down" (Hebrew _nâthats_, meaning "to tear down, beat down, destroy, overthrow, pull down") emphasizes a thorough and complete demolition. This indicates that the destruction would not merely be a superficial breach, but a comprehensive dismantling of Tyre's entire defensive infrastructure, leaving no part of its once-proud fortifications standing.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 26:9 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey the impending and absolute doom of Tyre. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid and chilling picture of a city under an relentless siege. The "engines of war" and "axes" conjure concrete, visceral images of destruction, allowing the reader to visualize the methodical and brutal dismantling of Tyre's once-impenetrable defenses. This vivid imagery creates a profound sense of immediacy and the inevitability of the city's fall. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as it precisely describes the methods of destruction that would indeed be employed by Nebuchadnezzar's army, thereby validating the prophet's divine message and underscoring the certainty of God's word. There is an element of **Personification** in the implied relentless and unyielding nature of the attacking force, almost as if the "engines" and "axes" themselves are agents of destruction, rather than merely tools, embodying the unstoppable force of divine judgment. Finally, the thoroughness implied by the breaking down of both "walls" and "towers" suggests a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts are mentioned to represent a whole, underscoring the absolute and complete nature of Tyre's prophesied destruction, leaving no doubt about its ultimate and total fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 26:9 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history. It demonstrates that even the most powerful and seemingly impregnable human strongholds are utterly vulnerable before the divine will. Tyre's destruction serves as a powerful testament to the principle that pride and self-sufficiency, especially when accompanied by gloating over the suffering of others or exploitation, inevitably invite divine judgment. This prophecy underscores the reliability of God's word; what He declares, He will bring to pass, regardless of the apparent impossibility from a human perspective. The detailed nature of the prophecy, down to the specific implements of war, assures believers that God is meticulously involved in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating events to fulfill His righteous purposes and uphold His justice.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Pride Precedes Destruction")
* [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")
* [Isaiah 13:1](/isaiah/13-1 "Prophecy Against Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 26:9, though rooted in an ancient historical event, carries profound and timeless lessons for all generations. It serves as a potent reminder that human pride and self-reliance, when unchecked and elevated above God, inevitably lead to a devastating fall. Just as Tyre's immense wealth, strategic location, and formidable defenses could not save it from divine judgment, so too are our own perceived strengths, achievements, or material possessions ultimately insufficient to secure us against the consequences of unrighteousness or to provide lasting peace. This verse calls us to cultivate profound humility, recognizing that all true security, enduring peace, and ultimate flourishing come from God alone, not from our own might, ingenuity, or accumulated resources. Furthermore, the precise and undeniable fulfillment of this ancient prophecy powerfully reinforces the absolute trustworthiness and unwavering authority of God's Word. In a world of shifting truths, uncertain futures, and competing ideologies, we can anchor our hope and lives on the unwavering promises and warnings of Scripture, knowing with certainty that what God has declared, He will surely accomplish. It compels us to examine our own hearts and the collective values of our communities, ensuring that we are not building our lives on foundations of pride, self-sufficiency, or exploitation, but on the enduring principles of justice, humility, and unwavering faith in God's sovereign and righteous plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or our society do we tend to exhibit the kind of pride and self-sufficiency that characterized Tyre, placing trust in human strength rather than divine sovereignty?**
* **How does the detailed fulfillment of this ancient prophecy strengthen my faith in the reliability and absolute authority of God's Word today, especially concerning His promises and warnings?**
* **What "walls" or "towers" of false security—whether financial, relational, or personal achievements—might I be relying on instead of trusting fully in God's sovereignty and provision?**
* **How can understanding God's righteous judgment on Tyre inform my prayers for justice and righteousness in the world today, particularly concerning issues of economic exploitation or national arrogance?**

### FAQ
**Who is "he" in Ezekiel 26:9, and why is he attacking Tyre?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 26:9, "he" refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. God explicitly names Nebuchadnezzar as the instrument of His judgment against Tyre in [Ezekiel 26:7](/ezekiel/26-7 "Ezekiel 26:7 - Nebuchadnezzar's Role in Tyre's Destruction"). Nebuchadnezzar was attacking Tyre as part of God's divine judgment against the city. Tyre was condemned for its immense pride, its gloating over the destruction of Jerusalem, and its opportunistic desire to profit from Judah's downfall, as highlighted in [Ezekiel 26:2](/ezekiel/26-2 "Ezekiel 26:2 - Tyre's Reaction to Jerusalem's Fall"). God used the powerful Babylonian empire to execute His righteous wrath against Tyre's arrogance and commercial exploitation, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations.

**What were "engines of war" and "axes" in ancient siege warfare?**

Answer: "Engines of war" (Hebrew _mᵉchîy_ and _qôbel_) primarily refer to battering rams. These were massive, heavy beams, often with metal heads, swung or pushed by many men to repeatedly strike and breach city walls. They were the primary tools for breaking down the main fortifications. "Axes" (Hebrew _chereb_) in this context refer to heavy cutting and demolition tools, similar to mattocks or pickaxes. These would have been used by soldiers to hack away at weakened sections of walls, foundations of towers, or wooden gates, following the initial assault by battering rams. Together, these implements signify a methodical, brutal, and utterly destructive approach to dismantling a fortified city, leaving no part of its defenses intact.

**How significant was the destruction of Tyre in biblical prophecy?**

Answer: The destruction of Tyre was highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it served as a powerful demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, proving that even the most formidable human powers are subject to His will and cannot escape His judgment. Secondly, the detailed nature of the prophecy in Ezekiel 26, including the specific methods of attack and the subsequent desolation, provided irrefutable evidence of the accuracy and reliability of God's prophetic word. This precise fulfillment strengthened the faith of the exiled Israelites and validated Ezekiel's ministry as a true prophet of the Lord. Thirdly, Tyre's fall underscored the timeless theme of divine judgment against pride, arrogance, and commercial greed, serving as a perpetual warning for all who place their trust in earthly wealth and power rather than in God. Its ultimate destruction, particularly the later complete razing by Alexander the Great, made it a perpetual symbol of the consequences of defying God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 26:9 describes a historical judgment against an ancient city, its profound themes of divine sovereignty, the judgment of earthly pride, and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes find their ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. The formidable walls and towers of Tyre, symbols of human strength, self-reliance, and resistance to God, ultimately crumbled before God's decree, foreshadowing the ultimate futility of any human system, power, or ideology that stands in opposition to God. Christ, as the true King and ultimate Judge, embodies this divine sovereignty in its fullest. His first coming saw the dismantling of the spiritual "walls" of sin and death through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, triumphing over the "principalities and powers" that held humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Just as Nebuchadnezzar was God's instrument against Tyre, Christ is the divine instrument through whom all earthly kingdoms will ultimately be judged and brought into submission. The New Testament speaks of a future day when all earthly strongholds of rebellion against God will be utterly destroyed, not by physical engines of war, but by the very word of Christ's mouth and the brightness of His coming ([Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - Christ's Judgment with a Sword"); [2 Thessalonians 2:8](/2_thessalonians/2-8 "2 Thessalonians 2:8 - The Lord Will Destroy the Lawless One")). The "breaking down" of Tyre's towers points to the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom, where no earthly power, pride, or self-sufficiency can stand, and where the only true security and glory are found in the Lamb who was slain and who reigns forever ([Revelation 21:22-27](/revelation/21-22-27 "Revelation 21:22-27 - No Temple in New Jerusalem")). Thus, Ezekiel 26:9 ultimately points to the comprehensive and final victory of Christ over all opposing forces, ensuring that only His righteous and eternal kingdom will endure.

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

2 Chronicles 26:15

And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.