ScriptureDepth's study of Ezekiel 28
“Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the middle of the seas;’ yet you are man, and not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God—”
Ezekiel 28:2
Yahweh speaks to the prince of Tyre about his prideful claim to divinity, which sets in motion a warning of impending judgment for his arrogance.
What Ezekiel 28 is about
Yahweh speaks to the prince of Tyre and tells him he is not God, despite his pride (vv. 1-2). The prince is wise and wealthy, having gained riches through his understanding and trading (vv. 3-5). Because of his pride, Yahweh declares punishment: strangers will come and defeat him, leading to his death (vv. 6-10). A lament for the king of Tyre follows, describing him as wise and beautiful, created for a high purpose, but he fell into sin and was cast down (vv. 11-19). Yahweh then shifts focus to Sidon, proclaiming judgment against it. He will bring pestilence and bloodshed to the city, so they will know He is God (vv. 20-24). Finally, Yahweh promises to gather Israel from the nations, allowing them to live securely in their land (vv. 25-26). They will know He is their God once He restores them.
When Yahweh gathers Israel and restores them to their land, they will know He is their God.
Ezekiel 28 at a glance
- Ezekiel 28:1–2God's Word to the Prince of Tyre
- Ezekiel 28:3–5The Prince's Wisdom and Wealth
- Ezekiel 28:6–10Consequences of Pride
- Ezekiel 28:11–19Lament for the King of Tyre
- Ezekiel 28:20–24Judgment Against Sidon
- Ezekiel 28:25–26Promise of Restoration for Israel
Key verse: Ezekiel 28:2
One thing to notice
In verses 22, 23, and 26, the phrase 'I am Yahweh' appears. Each occurrence is connected with a promise of judgment or restoration, affirming Yahweh's identity and action in the context of Tyre's downfall and Israel's future security.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Ezekiel 28 (WEB)
God's Word to the Prince of Tyre Ezekiel 28:1–2
1Verse 1. Yahweh’s word came again to me, saying, 2Verse 2. “Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the middle of the seas;’ yet you are man, and not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God—
The Prince's Wisdom and Wealth Ezekiel 28:3–5
3Verse 3. behold, you are wiser than Daniel;there is no secret that is hidden from you;4Verse 4. by your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten yourself riches,and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures;5Verse 5. by your great wisdomand by your trading you have increased your riches,and your heart is lifted up because of your riches—”
Consequences of Pride Ezekiel 28:6–10
6Verse 6. “‘therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh:“Because you have set your heart as the heart of God,7Verse 7. therefore, behold, I will bring strangers on you,the terrible of the nations.They will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom.They will defile your brightness.8Verse 8. They will bring you down to the pit.You will die the death of those who are slainin the heart of the seas.9Verse 9. Will you yet say before him who kills you, ‘I am God’?But you are man, and not God,in the hand of him who wounds you.10Verse 10. You will die the death of the uncircumcisedby the hand of strangers;for I have spoken it,” says the Lord Yahweh.’”
Lament for the King of Tyre Ezekiel 28:11–19
11Verse 11. Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,12Verse 12. “Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh:“You were the seal of full measure,full of wisdom,and perfect in beauty.13Verse 13. You were in Eden,the garden of God.Every precious stone adorned you:ruby, topaz, emerald,chrysolite, onyx, jasper,sapphire, turquoise, and beryl.Gold work of tambourinesand of pipes was in you.They were prepared in the day that you were created.14Verse 14. You were the anointed cherub who covers.Then I set you up on the holy mountain of God.You have walked up and down in the middle of the stones of fire.15Verse 15. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created,until unrighteousness was found in you.16Verse 16. By the abundance of your commerce, your insides were filled with violence,and you have sinned.Therefore I have cast you as profane out of God’s mountain.I have destroyed you, covering cherub,from the middle of the stones of fire.17Verse 17. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty.You have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.I have cast you to the ground.I have laid you before kings,that they may see you.18Verse 18. By the multitude of your iniquities,in the unrighteousness of your commerce,you have profaned your sanctuaries.Therefore I have brought out a fire from the middle of you.It has devoured you.I have turned you to ashes on the earthin the sight of all those who see you.19Verse 19. All those who know you among the peoples will be astonished at you.You have become a terror,and you will exist no more.”’”
Judgment Against Sidon Ezekiel 28:20–24
20Verse 20. Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 21Verse 21. “Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against it, 22Verse 22. and say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Behold, I am against you, Sidon. I will be glorified among you. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I have executed judgments in her, and am sanctified in her. 23Verse 23. For I will send pestilence into her, and blood into her streets. The wounded will fall within her, with the sword on her on every side. Then they will know that I am Yahweh. 24Verse 24. “‘“There will be no more a pricking brier to the house of Israel, nor a hurting thorn of any that are around them that scorned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.”
Promise of Restoration for Israel Ezekiel 28:25–26
25Verse 25. “‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am sanctified in them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob. 26Verse 26. They will dwell in it securely. Yes, they will build houses, plant vineyards, and will dwell securely, when I have executed judgments on all those who scorn them all around. Then they will know that I am Yahweh their God.”’”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Ezekiel 28
Pride and Humility
In this chapter, pride is central to the message directed at the prince of Tyre. In verses 2 and 6, he is admonished for his lifted heart and presumption of being like God. The text portrays his arrogance as leading to his downfall, specifically in v. 17 where it states, 'Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty.' The contrast between his pride and the ensuing judgment highlights the danger of hubris.
Divine Judgment
Ezekiel 28 presents divine judgment against Tyre and its leaders. In verses 7-10, Yahweh announces that strangers will attack the prince, leading to his destruction as a direct consequence of his prideful actions. This theme extends to verse 22, where judgment is similarly pronounced against Sidon, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all nations and the certainty of His decrees.
Human Hubris
Human hubris is vividly depicted through the descriptions of the king of Tyre and his overestimation of himself. In v. 12, he is described as 'the seal of full measure, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty,' yet his downfall is foreshadowed by his arrogance. The text portrays how his beauty and wisdom, instead of leading to humility, contribute to his corruption and eventual ruin as seen in vv. 15-17.
Restoration and Hope
Restoration and hope emerge towards the end of the chapter, particularly in vv. 25-26, where God promises to gather Israel from the nations. The passage states, 'they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob,' indicating a return to security and stability. This promise of restoration follows the declarations of judgment, providing hope that after divine correction, there will be renewal and peace for God's people.
Chapter outline
How Ezekiel 28 unfolds
Ezekiel 28:1–2 God's Word to the Prince of Tyre
Yahweh instructs Ezekiel to tell the prince of Tyre that his arrogance, claiming 'I am a god,' is unfounded as he is 'man, and not God' (v. 2).
Ezekiel 28:3–5 The Prince's Wisdom and Wealth
Yahweh reveals the prince of Tyre's exceptional wisdom, stating he is 'wiser than Daniel,' and notes that his wealth has come from 'your wisdom and by your understanding' (vv. 3-4).
Ezekiel 28:6–10 Consequences of Pride
Yahweh warns that because the prince has set his heart 'as the heart of God,' he will face the 'terrible of the nations,' leading to his downfall and death at their hands (vv. 6-8).
Ezekiel 28:11–19 Lament for the King of Tyre
Ezekiel is commanded to lament for the king of Tyre, who was once glorious and perfect but fell into sin and was cast down as a result (vv. 11-19).
Ezekiel 28:20–24 Judgment Against Sidon
Ezekiel is directed to prophesy against Sidon, announcing Yahweh's judgment and the ensuing recognition of His sovereignty after executing His judgments (vv. 20-24).
Ezekiel 28:25–26 Promise of Restoration for Israel
Yahweh promises restoration to Israel, assuring them of security and settlement in their land after gathering them from exile and judging their enemies (vv. 25-26).
Key verses
Ezekiel 28:2Yahweh speaks to the prince of Tyre about his prideful claim to divinity, which sets in motion a warning of impending judgment for his arrogance.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Ezekiel 28
- observeIn v2, what claim does the prince of Tyre make about himself?
- observeWhat does the phrase 'I am a god' in v2 indicate about the prince of Tyre's attitude?
- interpretIn vv. 15-16, what does 'unrighteousness' suggest about the prince's downfall?
- interpretThe image of the 'anointed cherub' in v14: how does this relate to the prince's fall?
- applyWhen have you felt your success led you to act pridefully like the prince in v6?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Ezekiel 28
- Ezekiel 34Ezekiel 28:25 and Ezekiel 34:13Both gather the house of Israel: Ezekiel 28:25 says God will gather them, while Ezekiel 34:13 says He will bring them out from the peoples.
- Isaiah 14Ezekiel 28:13 and Isaiah 14:12Both fall from greatness: Ezekiel 28:13 describes the fall from being in Eden, while Isaiah 14:12 depicts the fall from heaven.
- Ezekiel 27Ezekiel 28:13 and Ezekiel 27:16Both adorn with precious stones: Ezekiel 28:13 lists precious stones, while Ezekiel 27:16 mentions trading in rubies and emeralds.
- Ezekiel 31Ezekiel 28:7 and Ezekiel 31:12Both bring down the mighty: Ezekiel 28:7 speaks of strangers defiling, while Ezekiel 31:12 states strangers have cut him off.
- 2 Thessalonians 2Ezekiel 28:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:4Both lift themselves against God: Ezekiel 28:2 shows the prince claiming to be God, while 2 Thessalonians 2:4 describes one opposing God.
- Ezekiel 32Ezekiel 28:7 and Ezekiel 32:12Both face judgment: Ezekiel 28:7 mentions strangers drawing swords, while Ezekiel 32:12 speaks of the multitude falling by swords.
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