King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 26:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 26:19 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shal...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Ezekiel 26:19 · KJV

Context

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;

20

When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;

21

I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD. a terror: Heb. terrors

Read Ezekiel 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This prophetic judgment against Tyre employs dramatic imagery of cosmic devastation. The Hebrew word for "desolate" (shammah, שַׁמָּה) conveys utter ruin and horror—a city so destroyed it evokes shock and dismay. The phrase "cities that are not inhabited" refers to ancient ruins that have ceased to function as living communities, becoming mere archaeological remnants.

The imagery of "the deep" (tehom, תְּהוֹם) rising to cover the city reverses creation itself. In Genesis 1, God separated the waters to create habitable land; here, He causes the primordial waters to return, symbolizing de-creation and judgment. This echoes the flood narrative, where God's judgment came through overwhelming waters. The "great waters" (mayim rabbim, מַיִם רַבִּים) throughout Scripture often represent chaos, danger, and divine judgment.

Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre (585-573 BC) and later when Alexander the Great destroyed the island city (332 BC) using debris from the mainland ruins to build a causeway—literally covering it with earth and water. This demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over even the most powerful commercial empires. Tyre's pride in her maritime wealth and strategic position could not save her from divine judgment. The verse warns against false security in earthly power, commerce, and geographic advantage.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre was one of the ancient world's greatest maritime powers and commercial centers, located on the Phoenician coast (modern Lebanon). The city consisted of two parts: a mainland settlement and a fortified island city about half a mile offshore, making it virtually impregnable to ancient siege warfare. Tyre's wealth came from its purple dye industry, skilled craftsmen, and extensive trade networks spanning the Mediterranean world.

Ezekiel prophesied against Tyre around 587-586 BC, shortly after Jerusalem's fall to Babylon. Tyre had apparently rejoiced at Jerusalem's destruction, hoping to profit from Israel's downfall by capturing trade routes. God's judgment came in stages: Nebuchadnezzar besieged the mainland city for thirteen years (585-573 BC), though the island city survived. The ultimate fulfillment came when Alexander the Great destroyed island Tyre in 332 BC by building a causeway from mainland rubble—a feat so remarkable that the ruins remain partly underwater today, fulfilling the prophecy that she would become "a place to spread nets" (Ezekiel 26:14). This demonstrates how biblical prophecy can have both near and far fulfillments, and how God's judgments, though sometimes delayed, are certain.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment against Tyre's pride and self-sufficiency speak to our modern culture's confidence in economic power and technological achievement?
  2. What does the imagery of de-creation (waters covering the land) teach us about the seriousness of divine judgment and the fragility of human civilization?
  3. In what ways might we be trusting in 'uninhabitable securities'—things that appear stable but cannot withstand God's judgment?
  4. How does the complete fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen our confidence in biblical prophecies yet to be fulfilled, including Christ's return?
  5. What practical steps can we take to ensure we're building our lives on eternal foundations rather than the shifting sands of temporal wealth and power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּ֣י1 of 20
H3588

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

כֹ֤ה2 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙3 of 20

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 20

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה5 of 20

“GOD”

H3069

god

בְּתִתִּ֤י6 of 20

“When I shall make”

H5414

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

אֹתָךְ֙7 of 20
H853

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

כֶּעָרִ֖ים8 of 20

“city”

H5892

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

נֶחֱרֶ֔בֶת9 of 20

“thee a desolate”

H2717

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

כֶּעָרִ֖ים10 of 20

“city”

H5892

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 20
H834

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

לֹֽא12 of 20
H3808

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

נוֹשָׁ֑בוּ13 of 20

“that are not inhabited”

H3427

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

בְּהַעֲל֤וֹת14 of 20

“when I shall bring up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עָלַ֙יִךְ֙15 of 20
H5921

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

אֶת16 of 20
H853

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

תְּה֔וֹם17 of 20

“the deep”

H8415

an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)

וְכִסּ֖וּךְ18 of 20

“shall cover”

H3680

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

הַמַּ֥יִם19 of 20

“waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

הָרַבִּֽים׃20 of 20

“upon thee and great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

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 26:19 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 26:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 26:3Isaiah 8:7-8Daniel 11:40Revelation 17:15Daniel 9:26

Places in This Verse

TyreSettlement · Modern: Tyre · 33.27°N, 35.20°E64 verses across 19 books
View all places in Ezekiel 26 →

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