King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 29:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 29:18 in the King James Version says “Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made b... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:

Ezekiel 29:18 · KJV


Context

16

And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

17

And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

18

Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:

19

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army. take her spoil: Heb. spoil her spoil, and prey her prey

20

I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD. for his: or, for his hire


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus—This verse is dated to 571 BC, sixteen years after the initial Tyre oracle (26:1). נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר (Nĕbûkadreʾṣar, Nebuchadnezzar) besieged island Tyre for thirteen years (585-573 BC). הֶעֱבִיד אֶת־חֵילוֹ עֲבֹדָה גְדֹלָה (heʿĕbîd ʾet-ḥêlô ăbōdāh ghĕdōlāh, 'caused his army to serve great service')—a massive, exhausting siege.

Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled—From carrying earth and stones to build siege works. רֹאשׁ קֵרֵחַ (rōʾsh qērēaḥ, 'bald head') and כָּתֵף מְרוּטָה (kāthēph mĕrûṭāh, 'peeled shoulder') depict brutal physical labor. Yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it—Island Tyre negotiated surrender, likely paying tribute but preserving much wealth by sea. Babylon's army labored but gained little plunder.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient siege warfare required building ramps, towers, and battering rams—backbreaking labor. Nebuchadnezzar's thirteen-year siege of Tyre (confirmed by ancient records) was the longest in his reign. When Tyre finally surrendered, the population and much wealth had been evacuated by sea to colonies. Babylon won a pyrrhic victory—technically conquered but economically unrewarding.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Nebuchadnezzar's unprofitable victory teach about God's sovereignty in using nations?
  2. How does the physical toll on Babylon's soldiers humanize those God uses as judgment instruments?
  3. Why would God compensate Nebuchadnezzar's efforts despite his pagan motives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
בֶּן1 of 29

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

אָדָ֗ם2 of 29

of man

H120

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

נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר3 of 29

Nebuchadrezzar

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ4 of 29

king

H4428

a king

בָּ֠בֶל5 of 29

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

עָבַ֥ד6 of 29

caused

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת7 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּלְחֵילוֹ֙8 of 29

his army

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה9 of 29

for the service

H5656

work of any kind

גְדוֹלָה֙10 of 29

a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אֶל11 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִצֹּ֔ר12 of 29

against Tyrus

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

כָּל13 of 29
H3605

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

רֹ֣אשׁ14 of 29

every head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

מֻקְרָ֔ח15 of 29

was made bald

H7139

to depilate

וְכָל16 of 29
H3605

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

כָּתֵ֖ף17 of 29

and every shoulder

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

מְרוּטָ֑ה18 of 29

was peeled

H4803

to polish; by implication, to make bald (the head), to gall (the shoulder); also, to sharpen

וְ֠שָׂכָר19 of 29

yet had he no wages

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

לֹא20 of 29
H3808

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

הָ֨יָה21 of 29
H1961

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

ל֤וֹ22 of 29
H0
וּלְחֵילוֹ֙23 of 29

his army

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

מִצֹּ֔ר24 of 29

against Tyrus

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

עַל25 of 29
H5921

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

הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה26 of 29

for the service

H5656

work of any kind

אֲשֶׁר27 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָבַ֥ד28 of 29

caused

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

עָלֶֽיהָ׃29 of 29
H5921

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


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 29:18 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 29:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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