Ezekiel 28:10

Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken [it], saith the Lord GOD.

Thou shalt die {H4191} the deaths {H4194} of the uncircumcised {H6189} by the hand {H3027} of strangers {H2114}: for I have spoken {H1696} it, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

You will die the deaths of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. For I have spoken,' says Adonai ELOHIM."

You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. For I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD.”

Thou shalt die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Context

Ezekiel 28 presents a powerful prophetic oracle against the city of Tyre, specifically targeting its arrogant ruler, often referred to as the "prince of Tyrus." This chapter immediately follows prophecies against other nations, highlighting God's sovereignty over all earthly powers. The king of Tyre, a wealthy and influential maritime city, is depicted as being filled with pride due to his immense riches, wisdom, and perceived invincibility, even daring to proclaim himself a god (Ezekiel 28:2). Verse 10 is part of God's severe judgment, declaring that despite Tyre's splendor and the king's self-exaltation, he would face a humiliating and ignominious end, not a glorious one.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Pride: The verse underscores God's absolute authority and His certain judgment against human pride and self-deification. The king of Tyre's lofty claims are met with a stark declaration of his mortality and shameful demise. This echoes the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction.
  • Shameful Death: To die "the deaths of the uncircumcised" was a profound insult and a deeply dishonorable fate in the ancient Near East. It signified being outside of God's covenant people and implied a burial without proper rites, often in an unmarked grave or among the slain, stripped of dignity.
  • God's Unwavering Word: The concluding phrase, "for I have spoken [it], saith the Lord GOD," emphasizes the divine certainty and unchangeable nature of the prophecy. What God declares will undoubtedly come to pass, regardless of human power or resistance. This reiterates the truth that God's word does not return void.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the deaths of the uncircumcised" is central to understanding this verse's impact. The Hebrew word for "uncircumcised" is `arelim` (עֲרֵלִים). In ancient Israelite culture, circumcision was the physical sign of the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 17:10) and a mark of belonging to God's chosen people. Therefore, "uncircumcised" referred to Gentiles, those outside the covenant. To die "the deaths of the uncircumcised" meant to die a death like those considered pagan or unclean, often by the sword of foreign invaders, and to be denied a proper burial among one's own people. It was the ultimate indignity for a king who saw himself as divine and above common humanity.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 28:10 serves as a powerful reminder that worldly power, wealth, and self-exaltation are fleeting and ultimately subject to God's judgment. Regardless of how mighty a person or nation may become, humility before God is paramount. This verse challenges us to consider:

  • The Peril of Pride: It warns against the danger of pride, which can blind individuals to their true spiritual state and lead to a downfall.
  • God's Sovereignty: It reaffirms that God is the ultimate authority, and no human power can stand against His declared will.
  • True Honor: Real honor and security come not from self-proclaimed greatness or material possessions, but from a right relationship with God. In the New Testament, the concept of "circumcision of the heart" is emphasized, signifying an inward spiritual change through faith in Christ (Romans 2:29; Colossians 2:11), which is far more significant than any outward ritual.
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.

  • Ezekiel 31:18

    To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with [them that be] slain by the sword. This [is] Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 32:19

    Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.

  • 1 Samuel 17:36

    Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

  • Philippians 3:3

    For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

  • Ezekiel 32:21

    The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

  • 1 Samuel 17:26

    And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

  • Acts 7:51

    ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.
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