Ezekiel 26:21
I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
אֶתְּנֵ֖ךְ
I will make
H5414
אֶתְּנֵ֖ךְ
I will make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 11
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְאֵינֵ֑ךְ
H369
וּֽתְבֻקְשִׁ֗י
and thou shalt be no more though thou be sought for
H1245
וּֽתְבֻקְשִׁ֗י
and thou shalt be no more though thou be sought for
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
4 of 11
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִמָּצְאִ֥י
be found
H4672
תִמָּצְאִ֥י
be found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
עוֹד֙
H5750
עוֹד֙
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לְעוֹלָ֔ם
yet shalt thou never
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֔ם
yet shalt thou never
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
Cross References
Ezekiel 27:36The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more.Revelation 18:21And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.Ezekiel 28:19All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.Psalms 37:36Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Historical Context
Phoenician Tyre was founded circa 2750 BC, making it one of antiquity's oldest cities. It pioneered maritime trade, invented purple dye, and spread the alphabet. At its peak, Tyre controlled Mediterranean commerce. Yet its pride brought judgment: 'sought for, yet never found again.' This prophecy, written 586 BC, came true by 332 BC.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Tyre becoming 'a terror' (cautionary tale) serve God's purposes?
- What does permanent loss of identity teach about valuing worldly achievement over God?
- How does Jesus' reference to Tyre's judgment (Matthew 11:21-22) apply to our accountability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more—בַּלָּהוֹת (ballāhôt, 'terrors/horrifying thing') describes Tyre as an object lesson of judgment. Though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD—The Hebrew תְבֻקְשִׁי וְלֹא־תִמָּצְאִי (tĕbuqshî wĕlōʾ-timmāṣĕʾî, 'you will be sought but not found') promises permanent erasure.
This is the divine signature: נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה (nĕʾum ʾădōnāy YHWH, 'utterance of the Lord GOD') sealing the prophecy. Ancient Tyre's magnificent civilization—described in chapter 27 as the perfection of beauty—would become a byword for judgment. Isaiah 23, Amos 1:9-10, Zechariah 9:3-4, and Jesus' own references (Matthew 11:21-22, Luke 10:13-14) all assume Tyre's destruction as historical fact. Archaeological excavations confirm: Phoenician Tyre's glory was systematically obliterated, first by Babylon, then completely by Alexander. The city exists but its ancient identity is irretrievable—precisely as prophesied.