King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 26:14 Mean?

Ezekiel 26:14 in the King James Version says “And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 26:14 · KJV

Context

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.

14

And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

15

Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyrus; Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?

16

Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee. trembling: Heb. tremblings

Read Ezekiel 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will make thee like the top of a rock repeats verse 4's imagery—bare, scraped clean. Thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon confirms fishing village status. Thou shalt be built no more declares permanent diminishment. For I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD seals the prophecy with divine authority. The repetition emphasizes certainty. The phrase built no more doesn't mean absolutely never rebuilt but never restored to former glory. Tyre exists today but never regained its ancient dominance. God's judgments may not mean total annihilation but permanent humiliation—reduction from empire to insignificance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre still exists as the Lebanese city of Sur, but it never regained the power and glory of the Phoenician empire. From world-spanning maritime superpower, it became a minor Mediterranean port. Though rebuilt multiple times by various powers (Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Arab), it remained a shadow of its former self, exactly fulfilling 'thou shalt be built no more'—not absolutely, but never to former glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does permanent diminishment rather than total annihilation teach about divine judgment?
  2. How do we know when we've been reduced from glory to insignificance?
  3. What causes empires and individuals to be permanently humbled?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וּנְתַתִּ֞יךְ1 of 16

“And I will make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִצְחִ֣יחַ2 of 16

“thee like the top”

H6706

glaring, i.e., exposed to the bright sun

סֶ֗לַע3 of 16

“of a rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

מִשְׁטַ֤ח4 of 16

“thou shalt be a place to spread”

H4894

a spreading-place

חֲרָמִים֙5 of 16

“nets”

H2764

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination

תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה6 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לֹ֥א7 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִבָּנֶ֖ה8 of 16

“thou shalt be built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

ע֑וֹד9 of 16
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

כִּ֣י10 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֤י11 of 16
H589

i

יְהוָה֙12 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

דִּבַּ֔רְתִּי13 of 16

“have spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

נְאֻ֖ם14 of 16

“it saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י15 of 16

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֽה׃16 of 16

“no more for I the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 26:14 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 26:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 12:14Malachi 1:4Numbers 23:19Deuteronomy 13:16Isaiah 14:27Ezekiel 26:4-5

Test Your Knowledge

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