King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 26:17 Mean?

Ezekiel 26:17 in the King James Version says “And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it! of: Heb. of the seas

Ezekiel 26:17 · KJV


Context

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

17

And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it! of: Heb. of the seas

18

Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure.

19

For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea—The Hebrew qinah (קִינָה, "lamentation") is a formal funeral dirge. Surrounding nations will sing a death song for Tyre. "How art thou destroyed" (eykh avadt, אֵיךְ אָבַדְתְּ) echoes Lamentations' opening lament over Jerusalem—the same Hebrew formula expresses shocked grief over the unthinkable.

"Inhabited of seafaring men" (Hebrew noshevet miyamim, נוֹשֶׁבֶת מִיַּמִּים—"inhabited from the seas") describes Tyre's maritime population—sailors, merchants, naval forces. "The renowned city" (ha'ir hahullalah, הָעִיר הַהֻלָּלָה—"the praised city") indicates international fame. Most devastating: "which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it"—Tyre dominated through naval power and commercial control, inspiring fear in competitors. Now the feared becomes the pitied, the strong becomes rubble. This reversal demonstrates God's sovereignty over human pride and power.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre's reputation was legendary. Founded on an island 600 yards offshore, it was nearly impregnable. Its navy controlled Mediterranean shipping lanes. Its merchants were 'princes' (Isaiah 23:8). Its purple dye dressed royalty worldwide. Its craftsmen built Solomon's temple. When Nebuchadnezzar besieged it for 13 years, Tyre survived by naval supply—though economically devastated. Alexander's 332 BC conquest was total: he built a half-mile causeway using rubble from mainland Tyre, breached the walls, and slaughtered 8,000 Tyrians, selling 30,000 into slavery. The 'renowned city' became a cautionary tale. Tyre never regained prominence—today's Tyre is a minor Lebanese town on the ancient causeway (now a permanent peninsula), fulfilling Ezekiel 26:14.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Tyre's transformation from 'renowned' to 'destroyed' warn against building identity and security on worldly reputation?
  2. What areas of our lives are we building on sand—things that seem strong but lack eternal foundation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְנָשְׂא֨וּ1 of 22

And they shall take up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עָלַ֤יִךְ2 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

קִינָה֙3 of 22

a lamentation

H7015

a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)

וְאָ֣מְרוּ4 of 22

for thee and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֔ךְ5 of 22
H0
אֵ֣יךְ6 of 22
H349

how? or how!; also where

אָבַ֔דְתְּ7 of 22

to thee How art thou destroyed

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

יוֹשְׁבֶֽיהָ׃8 of 22

she and her inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בַיָּם֙9 of 22

in the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הָעִ֣יר10 of 22

city

H5892

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

הַהֻלָּ֗לָה11 of 22

the renowned

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

אֲשֶׁר֩12 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָיְתָ֨ה13 of 22
H1961

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

חֲזָקָ֤ה14 of 22

which wast strong

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

בַיָּם֙15 of 22

in the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הִ֣יא16 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יוֹשְׁבֶֽיהָ׃17 of 22

she and her inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

אֲשֶׁר18 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתְנ֥וּ19 of 22

which cause

H5414

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

חִתִּיתָ֖ם20 of 22

their terror

H2851

fear

לְכָל21 of 22
H3605

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

יוֹשְׁבֶֽיהָ׃22 of 22

she and her inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry


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 26:17 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 26:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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