King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 28:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 28:16 in the King James Version says “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.”

Ezekiel 28:16 · KJV

Context

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.

15

Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

16

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

17

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

18

Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

Read Ezekiel 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God." The language shifts between commercial activity (fitting Tyre) and cosmic rebellion (fitting Satan). "Cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God" describes Satan's expulsion from God's presence, echoing Revelation 12:7-9. The word "profane" (chalal, חָלַל) means to desecrate or pollute. Sin cannot coexist with holiness; God's purity requires removing corruption from His presence. This foreshadows final judgment when all evil is excluded from the new creation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre's maritime commerce (587 BC) fostered pride and violence—wealth bred arrogance and oppression. But the cosmic language transcends commercial activity, depicting spiritual rebellion. Satan's fall from heaven occurred before human history, yet reverberates throughout it. Every earthly power repeats his pride; every human sin echoes his rebellion. The passage teaches that earthly events manifest spiritual realities. Reformed theology's two-kingdoms doctrine recognizes this interpenetration—spiritual warfare occurs through and behind historical events. Understanding spiritual dimensions enriches historical interpretation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does material prosperity sometimes breed spiritual pride and violence?
  2. What is the relationship between earthly commercial empires and spiritual principalities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
בְּרֹ֣ב1 of 15

“By the multitude”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

רְכֻלָּתְךָ֗2 of 15

“of thy merchandise”

H7404

trade (as peddled)

מָל֧וּ3 of 15

“they have filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

מִתּ֖וֹךְ4 of 15

“from the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

חָמָ֖ס5 of 15

“of thee with violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

וַֽתֶּחֱטָ֑א6 of 15

“and thou hast sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

וָאֶחַלֶּלְךָ֩7 of 15

“therefore I will cast thee as profane”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

מֵהַ֨ר8 of 15

“out of the mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֱלֹהִ֤ים9 of 15

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וָֽאַבֶּדְךָ֙10 of 15

“and I will destroy”

H6

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

כְּר֣וּב11 of 15

“cherub”

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

הַסֹּכֵ֔ךְ12 of 15

“thee O covering”

H5526

properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect

מִתּ֖וֹךְ13 of 15

“from the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

אַבְנֵי14 of 15

“of the stones”

H68

a stone

אֵֽשׁ׃15 of 15

“of fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

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 28:16 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 28:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Timothy 6:9-10Habakkuk 2:8Habakkuk 2:17Genesis 3:24John 2:16Ezekiel 8:17

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