King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 28:2 Mean?

Ezekiel 28:2 in the King James Version says “Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said,... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: midst: Heb. heart

Ezekiel 28:2 · KJV


Context

1

The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,

2

Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: midst: Heb. heart

3

Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

4

With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses 'the prince of Tyre,' exposing his arrogant claim: 'Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God.' The Hebrew 'gabah libekha' (גָּבַהּ לִבֶּךָ, 'your heart is lifted up') describes pride's essential nature—self-exaltation. The prince's claim 'I am a God' (el ani, אֵל אָנִי) represents ultimate hubris, echoing Satan's original rebellion ('I will be like the Most High,' Isaiah 14:14). The phrase 'in the midst of the seas' refers to Tyre's island location, which gave it strategic military advantage and fostered false security. God's response is blunt: 'yet thou art a man, and not God' (adam attah velo-el, אָדָם אַתָּה וְלֹא־אֵל). This confronts human pride's fundamental delusion—the creature claiming creator status, the finite pretending to be infinite.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre was a wealthy Phoenician city-state known for maritime trade and commercial dominance. Its king/prince enjoyed tremendous prosperity and power, which bred arrogance. The city's island location (before Alexander the Great built a causeway) made it nearly impregnable to ancient siege warfare, fostering pride in human achievement and security. Tyre's wealth came from purple dye production, cedar trade, and extensive Mediterranean commerce. This prophecy was delivered around 587 BC, shortly before or during Jerusalem's fall. Tyre's response to Jerusalem's destruction reveals their attitude: 'Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people' (26:2)—they saw profit opportunity in Israel's calamity. God's judgment on Tyre demonstrates that He holds all nations accountable, not just covenant Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. What forms of pride in achievement, intellect, or security tempt you to 'set your heart as the heart of God'?
  2. How does recognizing you are 'man, and not God' shape proper humility and dependence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
בֶּן1 of 28

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

אָדָם֙2 of 28

of man

H120

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

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙3 of 28

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִנְגִ֨יד4 of 28

unto the prince

H5057

a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes

צֹ֜ר5 of 28

of Tyrus

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

כֹּֽה6 of 28
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙7 of 28

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י8 of 28

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִֹ֗ה9 of 28

GOD

H3069

god

יַ֣עַן10 of 28
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

גָּבַ֤הּ11 of 28

is lifted up

H1361

to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty

כְּלֵ֥ב12 of 28

Because thine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙13 of 28

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֔ל14 of 28

I am a God

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

אָ֔נִי15 of 28
H589

i

מוֹשַׁ֧ב16 of 28

in the seat

H4186

a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population

אֱלֹהִֽים׃17 of 28

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

יָשַׁ֖בְתִּי18 of 28

I sit

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

כְּלֵ֥ב19 of 28

Because thine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

יַמִּ֑ים20 of 28

of the seas

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

וְאַתָּ֤ה21 of 28
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אָדָם֙22 of 28

of man

H120

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

וְֽלֹא23 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֵ֔ל24 of 28

I am a God

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

וַתִּתֵּ֥ן25 of 28

though thou set

H5414

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

כְּלֵ֥ב26 of 28

Because thine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

כְּלֵ֥ב27 of 28

Because thine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֱלֹהִֽים׃28 of 28

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


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 28:2 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 28:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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