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Ezekiel 28:16

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By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

By the multitude {H7230} of thy merchandise {H7404} they have filled {H4390} the midst {H8432} of thee with violence {H2555}, and thou hast sinned {H2398}: therefore I will cast thee as profane {H2490} out of the mountain {H2022} of God {H430}: and I will destroy {H6} thee, O covering {H5526} cherub {H3742}, from the midst {H8432} of the stones {H68} of fire {H784}.

"'When your commerce grew, you became filled with violence; and in this way you sinned. Therefore I have thrown you out, defiled, from the mountain of God; I have destroyed you, protecting keruv, from among the stones of fire.

By the vastness of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and I banished you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.

By the abundance of thy traffic they filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore have I cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God; and I have destroyed thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Commentary

Context of Ezekiel 28:16

Ezekiel 28 contains a powerful prophetic oracle primarily directed against the city-state of Tyre and its proud king. While the initial verses (Ezekiel 28:1-10) address the human ruler of Tyre, accusing him of pride and self-deification due to his immense wealth and wisdom, the passage then shifts dramatically (Ezekiel 28:11-19) to describe a being of unparalleled beauty, wisdom, and perfection who was once in the "garden of God" and on "the holy mountain of God." This shift has led many biblical scholars to interpret the latter part of the chapter, including verse 16, as a veiled commentary on the fall of Satan (Lucifer), who was once a high-ranking angelic being before his rebellion against God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Corrupting Power of Commerce and Wealth: The verse explicitly states, "By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned." This highlights how vast commercial success and the pursuit of riches can lead to moral corruption, injustice, and even violence. It serves as a timeless warning against placing ultimate value on material gain, as seen in the broader prophetic condemnations of economic empires like Babylon in Revelation 18.
  • The Nature of Sin and Profanation: The cherub's sin, though not explicitly detailed here, is linked to the violence and corruption born from its "merchandise." This sin leads to being declared "profane" – unholy or defiled – in the eyes of God. Sin, even in a being of high standing, separates from God's holiness.
  • Divine Judgment and Expulsion: God declares, "therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee." This underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous judgment against sin and rebellion. Even a powerful, divinely appointed being cannot escape the consequences of violating God's holy order.
  • Fall from a Privileged Position: The imagery of being cast "out of the mountain of God" and destroyed "from the midst of the stones of fire" emphasizes a dramatic expulsion from a place of immense privilege, holiness, and proximity to divine glory.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Covering Cherub" (כְּרוּב מִמְשַׁח הַסֹּכֵךְ - kĕrûb mimšaḥ hassōkēk): This unique phrase describes a cherub, a type of angelic being often associated with guarding sacred spaces (like the Tree of Life in Eden or the Ark of the Covenant). The term "covering" (sōkēk) suggests a role of protection, overshadowing, or perhaps even anointing. This implies a being of significant authority and proximity to God's presence, making its fall all the more tragic and profound.
  • "Mountain of God" (הַר אֱלֹהִים - har ’ĕlōhîm): This refers to a symbolic place of divine dwelling, holiness, and authority, reminiscent of Mount Sinai where God met with Moses (Exodus 19:3). Being cast out signifies complete removal from God's sacred sphere.
  • "Stones of Fire" (אַבְנֵי אֵשׁ - ’abnê ’ēš): This imagery likely refers to brilliant, glowing, or fiery precious stones, possibly depicting the glorious environment of God's throne or presence, as seen in descriptions of God's appearance or the heavenly realm (Exodus 24:10). Being destroyed from their midst speaks to a profound and irreversible separation from divine glory.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 28:16 offers several powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Beware of Pride and Self-Exaltation: The ultimate downfall described here stems from a heart that became proud due to its perceived perfection and privilege. This serves as a stark warning against pride, which can corrupt even the most gifted or blessed individuals.
  • The Danger of Materialism: The verse directly links "merchandise" to "violence" and sin. It reminds us that while commerce and wealth are not inherently evil, their pursuit can easily lead to moral compromise, injustice, and a heart alienated from God if not kept in proper perspective.
  • No Sin Goes Unpunished: Even a being of such high status and beauty as the "covering cherub" faced divine judgment for its sin. This reinforces the truth that God is just and holy, and all rebellion against Him will ultimately be met with consequences.
  • Understanding the Origin of Evil: While challenging, this passage provides profound insight into the spiritual origins of evil and rebellion against God, illustrating how a perfect creation could choose to sin and fall from grace.
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

  • 1 Timothy 6:9 (6 votes)

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10 (6 votes)

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Habakkuk 2:17 (5 votes)

    For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, [which] made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

  • Habakkuk 2:8 (5 votes)

    Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and [for] the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

  • John 2:16 (3 votes)

    And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

  • Ezekiel 8:17 (3 votes)

    Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen [this], O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.

  • Genesis 3:24 (3 votes)

    So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.