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Ezekiel 26:17

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And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, [that wast] inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror [to be] on all that haunt it!

And they shall take up {H5375} a lamentation {H7015} for thee, and say {H559} to thee, How art thou destroyed {H6}, that wast inhabited {H3427} of seafaring men {H3220}, the renowned {H1984} city {H5892}, which wast strong {H2389} in the sea {H3220}, she and her inhabitants {H3427}, which cause {H5414} their terror {H2851} to be on all that haunt {H3427} it!

Then they will raise this lament for you: "'How you have been destroyed, you who were peopled from the seas, city so renowned, once so strong at sea, you and your inhabitants, who used to spread terror over all [the mainland's] inhabitants!

Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men— she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples!

And they shall take up a lamentation over thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city, that was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, that caused their terror to be on all that dwelt there!

Commentary

Ezekiel 26:17 is part of a series of prophecies delivered by the prophet Ezekiel against the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre. This particular verse anticipates the mournful dirge that other nations and seafaring peoples will sing over Tyre's utter destruction, marveling at the downfall of such a once-powerful and formidable maritime hub.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel dedicates several chapters (Ezekiel 26-28) to detailing God's judgment against Tyre. This judgment was pronounced largely because of Tyre's immense pride, its commercial exploitation, and its rejoicing over the destruction of Jerusalem, viewing it as an opportunity to expand its own trade dominance (Ezekiel 26:2). Tyre was a prominent island city, a global commercial center, renowned for its wealth, naval power, and extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean. Verse 17 depicts the reaction of those who once admired or feared Tyre, now witnessing its complete desolation, a stark contrast to its former glory as a city "strong in the sea" and "inhabited of seafaring men."

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: This verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over nations and empires. Despite Tyre's perceived invincibility due to its strategic location and naval strength, God's prophetic word declared its downfall, demonstrating that no earthly power can withstand His decree. The lament is a recognition of God's ability to bring down the mighty.
  • The Humbling of Pride: Tyre's downfall serves as a severe warning against pride and self-reliance. Its "renowned" status and the "terror" it inspired were rooted in its own strength and wealth, leading to arrogance. The lamentation emphasizes the dramatic reversal of its fortunes, a biblical principle that pride goes before destruction.
  • Transience of Earthly Power: The lament over Tyre's destruction highlights the temporary nature of all human achievements, wealth, and power. Even the most formidable and influential cities eventually fade, a stark contrast to the eternal nature of God's kingdom and His word.

Linguistic Insights

The term "lamentation" (Hebrew: qinah) refers to a specific type of mournful song or dirge, often characterized by a distinctive rhythm, traditionally used for mourning the dead or expressing deep sorrow over calamity. Its use here emphasizes the profound grief and shock onlookers would feel at the fall of such an apparently invincible city. The phrase "renowned city" underscores Tyre's widespread fame and influence, making its utter destruction even more impactful and a source of astonishment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 26:17 offers timeless lessons for contemporary audiences. It serves as a potent reminder that placing ultimate trust in material wealth, military might, or human ingenuity apart from God is ultimately futile. The dramatic fall of Tyre encourages believers to cultivate humility and to place their security and hope in the eternal God rather than in the fleeting strengths and accomplishments of this world. It challenges us to reflect on what truly inspires "terror" or respect in our lives: is it our own power and influence, or the majestic sovereignty of God? We are called to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Isaiah 14:12 (5 votes)

    How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

  • Ezekiel 19:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,

  • 2 Samuel 1:25 (3 votes)

    How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, [thou wast] slain in thine high places.

  • 2 Samuel 1:27 (3 votes)

    How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

  • Ezekiel 32:2 (2 votes)

    Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou [art] as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.

  • Ezekiel 32:16 (2 votes)

    This [is] the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, [even] for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 27:2 (2 votes)

    Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;