King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 26:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 26:11 in the King James Version says “With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 26:11 · KJV

Context

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

13

And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.

Read Ezekiel 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets continues the vivid imagery. Horses trampling streets represents total conquest and occupation. He shall slay thy people by the sword predicts loss of life. And thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground means fortifications will be demolished. The phrase strong garrisons ironically contrasts military strength with ultimate vulnerability—what seemed impregnable falls. Human strength cannot stand against divine decree. Our strongest defenses become rubble when God decrees it. Pride in military might is misplaced confidence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre's fortifications were legendary, yet they fell to Babylonian assault. Later, Alexander's forces also overcame them. No walls, no matter how strong, can stand when God determines their fall. History demonstrates repeatedly that human defenses, however sophisticated, cannot resist divine purposes. Tyre learned what every empire eventually learns: God humbles the proud.

Reflection Questions

  1. What defenses are we trusting that God could reduce to rubble?
  2. How does pride in human strength blind us to divine sovereignty?
  3. What does Tyre's fall teach about the futility of resisting God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
בְּפַרְס֣וֹת1 of 13

“With the hoofs”

H6541

a claw or split hoof

סוּסָ֔יו2 of 13

“of his horses”

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

יִרְמֹ֖ס3 of 13

“shall he tread down”

H7429

to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)

אֶת4 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל5 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֽוּצוֹתָ֑יִךְ6 of 13

“all thy streets”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

עַמֵּךְ֙7 of 13

“thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בַּחֶ֣רֶב8 of 13

“by the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

יַהֲרֹ֔ג9 of 13

“he shall slay”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וּמַצְּב֥וֹת10 of 13

“garrisons”

H4676

something stationed, i.e., a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol

עֻזֵּ֖ךְ11 of 13

“and thy strong”

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

לָאָ֥רֶץ12 of 13

“to the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תֵּרֵֽד׃13 of 13

“shall go down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

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 26:11 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 26:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 26:5Isaiah 5:28Habakkuk 1:8Jeremiah 51:27Jeremiah 43:13

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