Ezekiel 28:19
All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יוֹדְעֶ֙יךָ֙
All they that know
H3045
יוֹדְעֶ֙יךָ֙
All they that know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 10
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
בָּֽעַמִּ֔ים
thee among the people
H5971
בָּֽעַמִּ֔ים
thee among the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
שָׁמְמ֖וּ
shall be astonished
H8074
שָׁמְמ֖וּ
shall be astonished
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
4 of 10
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
עָלֶ֑יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּלָּה֣וֹת
at thee thou shalt be a terror
H1091
בַּלָּה֣וֹת
at thee thou shalt be a terror
Strong's:
H1091
Word #:
6 of 10
alarm; hence, destruction
הָיִ֔יתָ
H1961
הָיִ֔יתָ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְאֵינְךָ֖
and never
H369
וְאֵינְךָ֖
and never
Strong's:
H369
Word #:
8 of 10
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
Cross References
Ezekiel 26:21I 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.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.
Historical Context
Ancient descriptions by Herodotus and others portray Tyre as splendid, wealthy, seemingly eternal. Yet by 332 BC, Alexander reduced it to rubble using mainland debris to build a causeway. Today, the causeway remains (visible from satellite images), permanently connecting island to mainland—silent testimony to fulfilled prophecy. Tyre became exactly what God said: ashes, astonishment, terror, gone.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God judge prideful powers publicly rather than privately?
- What does Tyre's reduction to 'ashes' teach about the end of all human glory?
- How should observing God's judgment on others affect our own lives?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee—The fire (v. 18) reduces Tyre to לְאֵפֶר עַל־הָאָרֶץ (lĕʾēpher ʿal-hāʾāreṣ, 'to ashes upon the earth') לְעֵינֵי כָּל־רֹאֶיךָ (lĕʿênê khol-rōʾekhā, 'before the eyes of all who see you'). Public judgment serves as warning to observers.
All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee—שָׁמְמוּ (shāmĕmû, 'be appalled/desolate') from שָׁמֵם (shāmēm, 'to be devastated'). Thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more—בַּלָּהוֹת הָיִיתָ וְאֵינְךָ עַד־עוֹלָם (ballāhôt hāyîtā wĕʾênĕkhā ʿad-ʿôlām, 'terrors you have become and you are not until forever'). This refrain (also 26:21, 27:36) seals Tyre's permanent end. Those who knew Tyre's magnificence will be shocked by her utter obliteration—a fate awaiting all who exalt themselves against God (Isaiah 14:12-15).