Ezekiel 26:5
It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.
Original Language Analysis
חֲרָמִ֤ים
of nets
H2764
חֲרָמִ֤ים
of nets
Strong's:
H2764
Word #:
2 of 14
physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination
תִּֽהְיֶה֙
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּת֣וֹךְ
in the midst
H8432
בְּת֣וֹךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
4 of 14
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַיָּ֔ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֔ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
5 of 14
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
דִבַּ֔רְתִּי
for I have spoken
H1696
דִבַּ֔רְתִּי
for I have spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְהָיְתָ֥ה
H1961
וְהָיְתָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Ezekiel 29:19Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.Ezekiel 47:10And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.Ezekiel 26:19For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee;Ezekiel 25:7Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 27:32And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?
Historical Context
After Alexander's destruction (332 BC), Tyre never regained its former glory. Though rebuilt, it remained a minor port rather than the commercial empire it had been. Fishermen literally spread nets on its ruins, fulfilling Ezekiel's prophecy. The reduction from empire to fishing village demonstrates the thoroughness of divine judgment against pride.
Questions for Reflection
- What brings down mighty empires and powerful institutions?
- How does God humble the proud and exalt the humble?
- What temporary glories are we trusting that God may reduce to nets and fish?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea predicts Tyre's reduction from commercial superpower to fishing village. For I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD seals the prophecy with divine authority. And it shall become a spoil to the nations indicates plunder by many powers. What was prosperous becomes desolate; what was proud becomes pitiful. The contrast between maritime empire and fishing nets emphasizes total reversal. God brings down proud powers and reduces them to humble subsistence. All human glory is temporary when it opposes God.