Ezekiel 26:3
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
עָלַ֖יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֖יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כְּהַעֲל֥וֹת
to come up
H5927
כְּהַעֲל֥וֹת
to come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
9 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
H5921
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גּוֹיִ֣ם
nations
H1471
גּוֹיִ֣ם
nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
11 of 15
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
רַבִּ֔ים
and will cause many
H7227
רַבִּ֔ים
and will cause many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
12 of 15
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
כְּהַעֲל֥וֹת
to come up
H5927
כְּהַעֲל֥וֹת
to come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
13 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:42The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.Isaiah 5:30And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.Micah 4:11Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar besieged mainland Tyre for 13 years (585-572 BC) but gained little plunder as Tyre moved to the island. Alexander the Great later built a causeway to the island and destroyed it utterly (332 BC). Successive invasions over centuries fulfilled this prophecy, demonstrating that divine judgments may take generations to complete fully.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to have God declare 'I am against thee'?
- How do successive judgments demonstrate God's patience and thoroughness?
- Why does maritime judgment appropriately target a maritime power?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus announces divine opposition. The phrase I am against thee is one of Scripture's most terrifying statements—God Himself as enemy. And will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up predicts successive invasions. Like waves relentlessly pounding a shore, nations will repeatedly attack Tyre. This was fulfilled through Babylonian siege (585-572 BC), then later conquest by Alexander the Great (332 BC). The wave metaphor is appropriate for the island city—judgment will come from the sea they dominated.