Ezekiel 28:10
Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
מוֹתֵ֧י
the deaths
H4194
מוֹתֵ֧י
the deaths
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
1 of 11
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
עֲרֵלִ֛ים
of the uncircumcised
H6189
עֲרֵלִ֛ים
of the uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
תָּמ֖וּת
Thou shalt die
H4191
תָּמ֖וּת
Thou shalt die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
3 of 11
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בְּיַד
by the hand
H3027
בְּיַד
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 11
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
זָרִ֑ים
of strangers
H2114
זָרִ֑ים
of strangers
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
5 of 11
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 11
(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 11
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Ezekiel 31:18To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.Ezekiel 32:19Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.Ezekiel 32:21The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.1 Samuel 17:26And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?1 Samuel 17:36Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.Philippians 3:3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Historical Context
Circumcision was the covenant sign for Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:9-14), marking separation unto God. Philistines, Phoenicians (including Tyrians), and other peoples remained uncircumcised, symbolizing their outsider status. To die "the deaths of the uncircumcised" meant dying under God's curse, without covenant protection. For the Tyrian king who claimed divine status, this represented total humiliation—dying not as a god, not even as a covenant member, but as a cursed outsider slain by foreign invaders.
Questions for Reflection
- What does dying "uncircumcised" (outside covenant relationship) symbolize about eternal judgment for those who reject Christ?
- How does Paul's language about being "circumcised in Christ" (Colossians 2:11-12) transform the hope that the uncircumcised lack?
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers. The phrase "deaths of the uncircumcised" (mōtê 'ărēlîm, מוֹתֵי עֲרֵלִים) intensifies the judgment. To die uncircumcised meant to die outside covenant relationship with God, without hope, cut off from divine blessing—the ultimate ignominy for anyone who knew of Israel's covenant. The uncircumcised were regarded as unclean, profane, excluded from God's presence (Isaiah 52:1; see also 1 Samuel 17:26, 36 where David scorns "this uncircumcised Philistine").
"By the hand of strangers" (zārîm, זָרִים) adds further humiliation—not defeated by peers but by foreigners. For Tyre, the supreme merchant city that dealt with all nations, to be destroyed by "strangers" meant those very trading partners would become executioners. Ezekiel uses zārîm repeatedly for Babylon (28:7; 30:12; 31:12), "the terrible of the nations" (28:7).
"For I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD." The prophetic formula 'ănî dibbartî (אֲנִי דִבַּרְתִּי, "I have spoken") plus the divine title 'Ădōnāy YHWH (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, "Lord GOD") provides absolute certainty. When Yahweh speaks, execution is certain. This isn't threat but decree. History confirmed it—Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre for 13 years, and Alexander finally destroyed it completely.