Ezekiel 26:8
He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנוֹתַ֥יִךְ
thy daughters
H1323
בְּנוֹתַ֥יִךְ
thy daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
1 of 13
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
with the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
3 of 13
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְנָתַ֨ן
and he shall make
H5414
וְנָתַ֨ן
and he shall make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עָלַ֜יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֜יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְשָׁפַ֤ךְ
against thee and cast
H8210
וְשָׁפַ֤ךְ
against thee and cast
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
8 of 13
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
H5921
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְהֵקִ֥ים
against thee and lift up
H6965
וְהֵקִ֥ים
against thee and lift up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
11 of 13
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Cross References
Ezekiel 21:22At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.Jeremiah 52:4And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.Jeremiah 6:6For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.Jeremiah 32:24Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
Historical Context
Ancient siege warfare followed standard practices: isolating the city, building siege works (forts, ramps), deploying siege engines, and systematic assault. Nebuchadnezzar employed all these against Tyre. Archaeological evidence from other sites shows Babylonian siege methodology matching Ezekiel's description, confirming both historical accuracy and prophetic precision.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary purposes?
- What does siege imagery teach about patient, persistent judgment?
- Why does God typically work through natural processes rather than constant miracles?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field predicts the mainland settlements' destruction. And he shall make a fort against thee describes siege works. And cast a mount against thee refers to earthen siege ramps. And lift up the buckler against thee means raising siege shields. The technical military details show God's intimate knowledge of warfare and His use of standard military practices to accomplish His purposes. Judgment employs ordinary means directed by extraordinary providence. God doesn't usually work miraculously when natural means suffice—He sovereignly orchestrates natural processes.