Ezekiel 26:20
When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;
Original Language Analysis
י֣וֹרְדֵי
When I shall bring thee down
H3381
י֣וֹרְדֵי
When I shall bring thee down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 22
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
י֣וֹרְדֵי
When I shall bring thee down
H3381
י֣וֹרְדֵי
When I shall bring thee down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
3 of 22
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
ב֔וֹר
into the pit
H953
ב֔וֹר
into the pit
Strong's:
H953
Word #:
4 of 22
a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
עַ֣ם
with the people
H5971
עַ֣ם
with the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מֵֽעוֹלָם֙
of old
H5769
מֵֽעוֹלָם֙
of old
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
תֵשֵׁ֑בִי
and shall set
H3427
תֵשֵׁ֑בִי
and shall set
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
תַּחְתִּיּ֜וֹת
thee in the low parts
H8482
תַּחְתִּיּ֜וֹת
thee in the low parts
Strong's:
H8482
Word #:
10 of 22
lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)
כָּחֳרָב֤וֹת
in places desolate
H2723
כָּחֳרָב֤וֹת
in places desolate
Strong's:
H2723
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
מֵֽעוֹלָם֙
of old
H5769
מֵֽעוֹלָם֙
of old
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
י֣וֹרְדֵי
When I shall bring thee down
H3381
י֣וֹרְדֵי
When I shall bring thee down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
14 of 22
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
ב֔וֹר
into the pit
H953
ב֔וֹר
into the pit
Strong's:
H953
Word #:
15 of 22
a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
לְמַ֖עַן
H4616
לְמַ֖עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵשֵׁ֑בִי
and shall set
H3427
תֵשֵׁ֑בִי
and shall set
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וְנָתַתִּ֥י
and I shall set
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֥י
and I shall set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
19 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre 585-573 BC (29:18). Though island Tyre survived initially, Alexander the Great completely destroyed it in 332 BC, using mainland ruins to build a causeway, exactly as prophecy depicted (26:12). Today, Tyre is a modest Lebanese town—its ancient glory utterly gone.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Tyre's descent 'to the pit' teach about the destiny of prideful wealth?
- How does Israel's promised restoration contrast with Tyre's permanent desolation?
- What modern 'Tyres'—centers of wealth and power—might face similar judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit—Tyre's judgment continues. בּוֹר (bôr, 'pit') often means Sheol, the realm of the dead (Psalm 28:1, Isaiah 14:15). With the people of old time (עַם־עוֹלָם, ʿam-ʿôlām)—ancient civilizations already destroyed and forgotten.
And shall set glory in the land of the living—While Tyre descends to death, God promises צְבִי (ṣĕbî, 'beauty/glory') in אֶרֶץ חַיִּים (ʾereṣ ḥayyîm, 'the land of the living')—referring to restored Israel (20:6, 15). Tyre's wealth and splendor would vanish, but Israel's glory would be restored. This contrast appears throughout prophetic literature: prideful nations are humbled, while humble Israel is exalted (Isaiah 2:11-17). Tyre's ruins would testify to God's judgment; Israel's restoration would testify to His faithfulness.