King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 28:12 Mean?

Ezekiel 28:12 in the King James Version says “Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.”

Ezekiel 28:12 · KJV

Wisdom

Context

10

Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

11

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

12

Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

13

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. sardius: or, ruby beryl: or, chrysolite emerald: or, chrysoprase

14

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

Read Ezekiel 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Shifting from the prince to 'the king of Tyre,' God says: 'Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.' The Hebrew 'chotem toknit' (חוֹתֵם תָּכְנִית, 'sealest up the sum') suggests the final measure or perfect model. The description 'full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty' seems excessive for any human king, leading many interpreters to see dual reference—the earthly king of Tyre as the immediate referent, but with language transcending human rulers to describe Satan himself. Like Isaiah 14:12-15 (the fall of the 'star of the morning'), this passage appears to use an earthly tyrant as a type pointing to the archetypal rebel—Satan. Verses 13-15 describe this being in Eden, walking among fiery stones as a guardian cherub, created perfect but falling through pride. Whether primarily about Satan or using hyperbolic language for Tyre's king, the passage reveals that human pride reflects and recapitulates satanic rebellion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern royal ideology often used divine or semi-divine language for kings. Egyptian pharaohs claimed divinity, and Mesopotamian kings were described as gods' representatives. Tyre's commercial success and cultural sophistication made its rulers particularly proud. However, the language in Ezekiel 28:13-15 exceeds even exaggerated royal rhetoric, describing prelapsarian perfection in Eden and cherubic status. Church fathers (Origen, Gregory, Jerome) and many Reformed interpreters saw this as referencing Satan's fall, while others view it as prophetic hyperbole exposing Tyre's arrogance. Either way, the passage reveals that creaturely pride—whether angelic or human—always ends in judgment and fall.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that human pride mirrors satanic rebellion help you identify and resist pride's temptations?
  2. What does this passage teach about the inevitable outcome of exalting self above God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בֶּן1 of 20

“Son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֕ם2 of 20

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

שָׂ֥א3 of 20

“take up”

H5375

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

קִינָ֖ה4 of 20

“a lamentation”

H7015

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

עַל5 of 20
H5921

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ6 of 20

“upon the king”

H4428

a king

צ֑וֹר7 of 20

“of Tyrus”

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

אָמַר֙8 of 20

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לּ֗וֹ9 of 20
H0
כֹּ֤ה10 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

אָמַר֙11 of 20

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י12 of 20

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה13 of 20

“GOD”

H3069

god

אַתָּה֙14 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

חוֹתֵ֣ם15 of 20

“Thou sealest up”

H2856

to close up; especially to seal

תָּכְנִ֔ית16 of 20

“the sum”

H8508

admeasurement, i.e., consummation

מָלֵ֥א17 of 20

“full”

H4392

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

חָכְמָ֖ה18 of 20

“of wisdom”

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

וּכְלִ֥יל19 of 20

“and perfect”

H3632

complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully

יֹֽפִי׃20 of 20

“in beauty”

H3308

beauty

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 28:12 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 28:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 19:1Ezekiel 26:172 Corinthians 1:22Colossians 1:9Colossians 2:3James 3:13-18

Places in This Verse

TyreSettlement · Modern: Tyre · 33.27°N, 35.20°E64 verses across 19 books
View all places in Ezekiel 28 →

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