Ezekiel 28:17

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

Thine heart {H3820} was lifted up {H1361} because of thy beauty {H3308}, thou hast corrupted {H7843} thy wisdom {H2451} by reason of {H5921} thy brightness {H3314}: I will cast {H7993} thee to the ground {H776}, I will lay {H5414} thee before {H6440} kings {H4428}, that they may behold {H7200} thee.

Your heart grew proud because of your beauty, you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. But I have thrown you on the ground; before kings I have made you a spectacle.

Your heart grew proud of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor; so I cast you to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings.

Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I have cast thee to the ground; I have laid thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

Ezekiel 28:17 is a profound verse within a prophetic oracle against the "king of Tyrus" (Tyre). While initially directed at a human ruler, the language used by the prophet Ezekiel transcends typical human attributes, leading many biblical scholars to interpret this passage as also describing the original fall of a highly exalted spiritual being, often identified as Satan.

Context of Ezekiel 28:17

The book of Ezekiel contains a series of judgments against surrounding nations. Chapters 26-28 focus on Tyre, a powerful Phoenician city-state known for its immense wealth, maritime trade, and impressive fortifications. The oracle in Ezekiel 28 is divided into two parts: the first (verses 1-10) condemns the human "prince of Tyrus" for his pride and self-deification, claiming to be a god. The second part (verses 11-19), which includes verse 17, addresses the "king of Tyrus," using imagery far grander than any human king could possess—speaking of being in Eden, adorned with precious stones, and being a "cherub." This highly symbolic language suggests a deeper, spiritual reality, often seen as a description of Satan's original state of glory and subsequent rebellion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pride and Self-Exaltation: The verse directly attributes the downfall to an inflated ego: "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty." This highlights the destructive nature of pride, where inherent gifts or exalted positions lead to self-adoration rather than gratitude or humility. It perfectly illustrates the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
  • Corruption of Wisdom: "Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." This theme emphasizes that even profound wisdom and radiant glory can be perverted and turned to evil when coupled with arrogance. The entity's magnificent attributes, instead of being used for good, became the very instruments of its spiritual decay.
  • Divine Judgment and Humiliation: The consequences are severe and public: "I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee." This speaks of a dramatic and irreversible demotion, a public spectacle of disgrace and ruin. The one who was once exalted and revered is brought low and exposed before others, serving as a stark warning.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "lifted up" (רום, rum) often carries the connotation of arrogance or haughtiness when applied to the heart or spirit, indicating a proud elevation of oneself. The word for "brightness" (יפעה, yipha'ah) denotes splendor, radiance, or glory, underscoring the magnificent state from which the entity fell. The verb "corrupted" (שחת, shachath) means to spoil, ruin, or pervert, indicating a deliberate misuse of inherent wisdom.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 28:17 serves as a timeless warning for all. It teaches that no amount of beauty, wisdom, talent, or power can protect one from divine judgment if accompanied by pride. Whether applied to individuals, organizations, or nations, the principle holds: self-exaltation inevitably leads to a fall. This verse reminds us of the importance of humility and recognizing that all true gifts and abilities come from God. It echoes the New Testament teaching that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). True wisdom is found in acknowledging one's dependence on God, not in self-admiration.

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 28:5

    By thy great wisdom [and] by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:

  • Ezekiel 31:10

    ¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • Ezekiel 28:2

    Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart [is] lifted up, and thou hast said, I [am] a God, I sit [in] the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou [art] a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

  • Isaiah 19:11

    Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I [am] the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

  • Isaiah 19:13

    The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, [even they that are] the stay of the tribes thereof.

  • Ezekiel 32:10

    Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at [every] moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall.

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