King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 26:10 Mean?

Ezekiel 26:10 in the King James Version says “By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. as men: Heb. according to the enterings of a city broken up”

Ezekiel 26:10 · KJV

Context

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. cast: or, pour out the engine of shot

9

And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.

10

By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. as men: Heb. according to the enterings of a city broken up

11

With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground.

12

And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water. thy pleasant: Heb. houses of thy desire

Read Ezekiel 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee describes the massive Babylonian cavalry creating dust clouds. Thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots predicts the trembling ground from thousands of horses and chariots. When he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach describes the final assault through breached walls. The sensory details (dust, noise, shaking, breach) make judgment visceral and real. Ezekiel wants the exiles and Tyre to feel the coming devastation. Prophecy isn't abstract but concrete and terrifying.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar's army was among history's largest to that point, with extensive cavalry and chariot forces. The sight and sound of such forces would indeed be overwhelming. Though Tyre's island portion escaped by sea, the mainland city experienced exactly this assault, with walls breached and Babylonian forces entering in triumph.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does prophecy use sensory details rather than abstract concepts?
  2. How should vivid descriptions of judgment affect our response?
  3. What does the overwhelming nature of judgment teach about resisting God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
מִשִּׁפְעַ֥ת1 of 15

“By reason of the abundance”

H8229

copiousness

סוּסָ֖יו2 of 15

“of his horses”

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

יְכַסֵּ֣ךְ3 of 15

“shall cover”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

אֲבָקָ֑ם4 of 15

“their dust”

H80

light particles (as volatile)

מִקּוֹל֩5 of 15

“at the noise”

H6963

a voice or sound

פָּרַ֨שׁ6 of 15

“of the horsemen”

H6571

a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry

וְגַלְגַּ֜ל7 of 15

“and of the wheels”

H1534

a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)

וָרֶ֗כֶב8 of 15

“and of the chariots”

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

תִּרְעַ֙שְׁנָה֙9 of 15

“shall shake”

H7493

to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)

חֽוֹמוֹתַ֔יִךְ10 of 15

“thee thy walls”

H2346

a wall of protection

בְּבֹאוֹ֙11 of 15

“when he shall enter”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בִּשְׁעָרַ֔יִךְ12 of 15

“into thy gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

כִּמְבוֹאֵ֖י13 of 15

“as men enter”

H3996

an entrance (the place or the act); specifically sunset or the west; also (adverb with preposition) towards

עִ֥יר14 of 15

“into a city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מְבֻקָּעָֽה׃15 of 15

“wherein is made a breach”

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 26:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 26:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 47:3Ezekiel 27:28Ezekiel 26:15Nahum 2:3-4Ezekiel 26:7Joshua 6:5

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