Ezekiel 28:6
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֕ן
H3651
לָכֵ֕ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֥ה
H3541
כֹּ֥ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יַ֛עַן
H3282
יַ֛עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
תִּתְּךָ֥
Because thou hast set
H5414
תִּתְּךָ֥
Because thou hast set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 11
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Ezekiel 28:2Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:Exodus 9:17As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings often claimed divine or semi-divine status. Pharaohs were considered gods; Mesopotamian kings were deified. Tyre's king participated in this cultural pattern of royal self-deification. But Yahweh tolerates no rivals. Claiming divine status invites destruction. Every humanistic attempt to enthrone man in God's place ends in judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we set our hearts as God's heart through autonomy and self-sufficiency?
- What modern ideologies repeat the original sin of attempting to be as gods?
- Why does God respond to human pride with severe judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God introduces divine response to human pride. Setting one's heart as God's heart is self-deification—claiming divine status, knowledge, or prerogatives. This is the original sin (Genesis 3:5, 'ye shall be as gods'). Every prideful claim to self-sufficiency, every denial of dependence on God, every assertion of human autonomy is an attempt to be God. We want to be our own deity, determining our own truth, creating our own meaning, controlling our own destiny. This is the fundamental rebellion that brings judgment.