King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 26:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 26:3 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against th...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.”

Ezekiel 26:3 · KJV

Context

1

And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2

Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste:

3

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.

4

And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.

5

It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.

Read Ezekiel 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus announces divine opposition. The phrase I am against thee is one of Scripture's most terrifying statements—God Himself as enemy. And will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up predicts successive invasions. Like waves relentlessly pounding a shore, nations will repeatedly attack Tyre. This was fulfilled through Babylonian siege (585-572 BC), then later conquest by Alexander the Great (332 BC). The wave metaphor is appropriate for the island city—judgment will come from the sea they dominated.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar besieged mainland Tyre for 13 years (585-572 BC) but gained little plunder as Tyre moved to the island. Alexander the Great later built a causeway to the island and destroyed it utterly (332 BC). Successive invasions over centuries fulfilled this prophecy, demonstrating that divine judgments may take generations to complete fully.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to have God declare 'I am against thee'?
  2. How do successive judgments demonstrate God's patience and thoroughness?
  3. Why does maritime judgment appropriately target a maritime power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 15
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּ֤ה2 of 15
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 15

“Therefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 15

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה5 of 15

“GOD”

H3069

god

הִנְנִ֥י6 of 15
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

עָלַ֖יִךְ7 of 15
H5921

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

צֹ֑ר8 of 15

“Behold I am against thee O Tyrus”

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

כְּהַעֲל֥וֹת9 of 15

“to come up”

H5927

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

עָלַ֙יִךְ֙10 of 15
H5921

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

גּוֹיִ֣ם11 of 15

“nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

רַבִּ֔ים12 of 15

“and will cause many”

H7227

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

כְּהַעֲל֥וֹת13 of 15

“to come up”

H5927

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

הַיָּ֖ם14 of 15

“against thee as 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

לְגַלָּֽיו׃15 of 15

“causeth his waves”

H1530

something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)

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 26:3 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 26:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:42Isaiah 5:30Micah 4:11Ezekiel 27:32-34Luke 21:25Jeremiah 50:42

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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