King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 28:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 28:18 in the King James Version says “Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 28:18 · KJV

Context

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.

19

All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more . a terror: Heb. terrors

20

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

Read Ezekiel 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities—This section (28:11-19) shifts from Tyre's king to a figure some interpret as Satan's fall, though primarily addressing Tyre's prince. חִלַּלְתָּ מִקְדָּשֶׁיךָ (ḥillaltā miqdāshêkā, 'you have profaned your sanctuaries') suggests corrupting holy places through עֲוֺנֶיךָ (ăwōnekhā, 'your iniquities').

By the iniquity of thy traffick—בְּעֶוֶל רְכֻלָּתְךָ (bĕʿewel rĕkhullātĕkhā, 'by the injustice of your trade'). Commerce itself became corrupt: dishonest scales, exploitation, greed. Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee—God brings אֵשׁ מִתּוֹכֶךָ (ʾēsh mittôkhekhā, 'fire from within you'). Judgment emerges from Tyre's own corruption, consuming from inside out. Self-destruction through accumulated sin is a consistent biblical principle (Galatians 6:7-8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre's 'sanctuaries' likely refer to temples to Melqart (Tyrian Baal) and Astarte, mixed with commercial halls. Phoenician religion intertwined with commerce—prosperity was seen as divine favor. Archaeological excavations show Tyrian temples contained treasury rooms, suggesting worship had become transactional. This corrupted worship system would be destroyed along with the city.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does commercial success tempt us to corrupt worship by making it transactional?
  2. What does fire emerging 'from the midst' teach about sin's self-destructive nature?
  3. How can legitimate business become 'iniquity of traffick'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
מֵרֹ֣ב1 of 18

“by the multitude”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

עֲוֹנֶ֗יךָ2 of 18

“of thine iniquities”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

בְּעֶ֙וֶל֙3 of 18

“by the iniquity”

H5766

(moral) evil

רְכֻלָּ֣תְךָ֔4 of 18

“of thy traffick”

H7404

trade (as peddled)

חִלַּ֖לְתָּ5 of 18

“Thou hast defiled”

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

מִקְדָּשֶׁ֑יךָ6 of 18

“thy sanctuaries”

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

וָֽאוֹצִא7 of 18

“therefore will I bring forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֵ֤שׁ8 of 18

“a fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

מִתּֽוֹכְךָ֙9 of 18

“from the midst”

H8432

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

הִ֣יא10 of 18
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

אֲכָלַ֔תְךָ11 of 18

“of thee it shall devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וָאֶתֶּנְךָ֤12 of 18

“thee and I will bring”

H5414

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

לְאֵ֙פֶר֙13 of 18

“thee to ashes”

H665

ashes

עַל14 of 18
H5921

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ15 of 18

“upon the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְעֵינֵ֖י16 of 18

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָּל17 of 18
H3605

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

רֹאֶֽיךָ׃18 of 18

“of all them that behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

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 28:18 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 28:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 4:3Revelation 18:8Ezekiel 28:16Amos 1:9-10Ezekiel 28:22 Peter 2:6

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