Ezekiel 28:6

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;

Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Because thou hast set {H5414} thine heart {H3820} as the heart {H3824} of God {H430};

"Therefore Adonai ELOHIM says, 'Because you think that you think like God,

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you regard your heart as the heart of a god,

therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because thou hast set thy heart as the heart of God,

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 28:6 is part of a powerful prophetic oracle delivered by the prophet Ezekiel against the King of Tyre. The city of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician maritime power, was renowned for its immense wealth, extensive trade networks, and impressive fortifications. Its king, often seen as a personification of the city's spirit and power, had become exceedingly proud due to his prosperity and perceived wisdom. Chapters 26-28 of Ezekiel detail God's judgment against Tyre, initially focusing on the city itself, and then narrowing in on its arrogant ruler.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Pride: The core message of this verse is God's unwavering opposition to human arrogance. The King of Tyre's fatal flaw was his self-exaltation, believing himself to be on par with God. This verse declares that because of this audacious pride, divine judgment is imminent. The Lord GOD acts decisively when His unique sovereignty is challenged.
  • The Danger of Self-Deification: The phrase "thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God" reveals the king's ultimate hubris – a desire to transcend human limits and assume divine status. This audacious claim of self-deification is reminiscent of the fall of Lucifer, who also sought to ascend above God, and the original temptation in Eden to "be as gods" (Genesis 3:5).
  • God's Unchallenged Sovereignty: Despite human attempts to usurp His place, this verse, introduced with "Thus saith the Lord GOD," firmly reasserts God's ultimate authority and supremacy. He alone is God, and He will not share His glory with another.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "set thine heart as the heart of God" (Hebrew: natan libbecha keleb 'elohim) vividly portrays the king's internal state. It's not just a fleeting thought but a deeply ingrained conviction, a deliberate act of the will to elevate himself to divine status. The Hebrew word for "God" ('elohim) here emphasizes the king's aspiration to be like the supreme, all-powerful deity, rather than merely a powerful human ruler.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 28:6 serves as a timeless warning against the perils of pride and self-exaltation. While few today would literally claim to be God, the temptation to rely solely on one's own wisdom, wealth, or strength, and to forget one's dependence on a higher power, remains ever-present. This verse calls us to humility, recognizing that all our talents and successes are ultimately gifts. The Lord GOD's response highlights the severe consequences of pride that goes before destruction. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and acknowledging His rightful place in our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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:

  • Exodus 9:17

    As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

  • Job 40:9

    Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

  • Job 40:12

    Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

  • James 1:11

    For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

  • Job 9:4

    [He is] wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened [himself] against him, and hath prospered?

  • 1 Corinthians 10:22

    Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
← Back