King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 28:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 28:19 in the King James Version says “All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be an...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 28:19 · KJV

Context

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,

21

Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,

Read Ezekiel 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee—The fire (v. 18) reduces Tyre to לְאֵפֶר עַל־הָאָרֶץ (lĕʾēpher ʿal-hāʾāreṣ, 'to ashes upon the earth') לְעֵינֵי כָּל־רֹאֶיךָ (lĕʿênê khol-rōʾekhā, 'before the eyes of all who see you'). Public judgment serves as warning to observers.

All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee—שָׁמְמוּ (shāmĕmû, 'be appalled/desolate') from שָׁמֵם (shāmēm, 'to be devastated'). Thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more—בַּלָּהוֹת הָיִיתָ וְאֵינְךָ עַד־עוֹלָם (ballāhôt hāyîtā wĕʾênĕkhā ʿad-ʿôlām, 'terrors you have become and you are not until forever'). This refrain (also 26:21, 27:36) seals Tyre's permanent end. Those who knew Tyre's magnificence will be shocked by her utter obliteration—a fate awaiting all who exalt themselves against God (Isaiah 14:12-15).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient descriptions by Herodotus and others portray Tyre as splendid, wealthy, seemingly eternal. Yet by 332 BC, Alexander reduced it to rubble using mainland debris to build a causeway. Today, the causeway remains (visible from satellite images), permanently connecting island to mainland—silent testimony to fulfilled prophecy. Tyre became exactly what God said: ashes, astonishment, terror, gone.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God judge prideful powers publicly rather than privately?
  2. What does Tyre's reduction to 'ashes' teach about the end of all human glory?
  3. How should observing God's judgment on others affect our own lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
כָּל1 of 10
H3605

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

יוֹדְעֶ֙יךָ֙2 of 10

“All they that know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

בָּֽעַמִּ֔ים3 of 10

“thee among the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

שָׁמְמ֖וּ4 of 10

“shall be astonished”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

עָלֶ֑יךָ5 of 10
H5921

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

בַּלָּה֣וֹת6 of 10

“at thee thou shalt be a terror”

H1091

alarm; hence, destruction

הָיִ֔יתָ7 of 10
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וְאֵינְךָ֖8 of 10

“and never”

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עַד9 of 10

“shalt thou be any more”

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָֽם׃10 of 10
H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

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 28:19 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 28:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 26:21Revelation 18:21Revelation 18:15-19Ezekiel 27:35-36Ezekiel 26:14Jeremiah 51:63-64

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