Ezekiel 26:1 kjv
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 26:1 nkjv
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ezekiel 26:1 niv
In the eleventh month of the twelfth year, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 26:1 esv
In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 26:1 nlt
On February 3, during the twelfth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, this message came to me from the LORD:
Ezekiel 26 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 1:1-2 | Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day... | Precise dating of prophetic calls/messages |
| Eze 8:1 | And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month... | Another specific date for a prophetic vision |
| Eze 20:1 | And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month... | Further detailed dating of an oracle |
| Eze 24:1-2 | Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying... | God's word precisely dates Jerusalem's siege |
| Isa 23:1 | The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish... | Earlier prophecy of Tyre's destruction |
| Jer 47:4 | Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus... | Jeremiah also prophesies against Tyre |
| Joel 3:4-8 | Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? | God's grievance against Tyre for selling Judahites |
| Amos 1:9-10 | Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away... | Tyre condemned for covenant betrayal |
| Zech 9:2-4 | And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. | Prophecy of Tyre's wealth and coming judgment |
| Zeph 2:7 | And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah... | Judah inherits the spoils of surrounding nations |
| Ps 33:11 | The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. | Divine will and plans are immutable |
| Ps 119:89 | For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. | The permanence and authority of God's word |
| Jer 1:9 | Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. | The source of prophetic messages is God |
| Jer 25:9-11 | Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon... | God using Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument |
| Dan 4:17 | To the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men... | God's sovereignty over world kingdoms is affirmed |
| 2 Ki 24:12 | And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon... | Historical context of Jehoiachin's exile dating |
| Luke 21:24 | And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. | Broader divine timing of gentile dominance |
| Matt 24:35 | Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. | Veracity and permanence of divine prophecy |
| Rev 18:9-19 | And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her... | Prophetic downfall of economic power/haughtiness |
| 1 Pet 1:25 | But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. | The eternal nature of God's spoken word |
| 2 Pet 3:8-9 | But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. | God's sovereign control over time |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword... | The dynamic and effective nature of God's word |
Ezekiel 26 verses
Ezekiel 26 1 Meaning
Ezekiel 26:1 marks the precise divine timing and commencement of God's prophetic judgment against Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city. The verse establishes the authority of the message as the direct "word of the Lord" revealed to the prophet Ezekiel, indicating that the oracle is divinely initiated and meticulously dated within the exilic calendar. It sets the stage for a detailed prophecy of Tyre's downfall at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and its ultimate ruin.
Ezekiel 26 1 Context
Ezekiel 26:1 introduces a series of oracles against the foreign nations found in chapters 25-32 of Ezekiel. Following prophecies against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia in chapter 25, this verse begins an extended and detailed prophecy specifically aimed at Tyre. Historically, the date "eleventh year" refers to the eleventh year of Jehoiachin's exile, placing it around 587 BC, a critical period shortly after or concurrently with the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army. Tyre, a proud and wealthy Phoenician city, maintained a strategic island fortress and dominated maritime trade, priding itself on its impregnability and economic power. The prophecy reflects God's response to Tyre's reaction to Jerusalem's fall—likely with gloating or economic opportunism, seeing it as an opportunity to fill the commercial vacuum left by Judah's ruin. This verse highlights God's universal sovereignty, extending His judgment beyond Judah to include the nations that mistreated His people or defied His will.
Ezekiel 26 1 Word analysis
- And it came to pass (וַיְהִי, wa·ye·hî): A common Hebrew temporal and narrative conjunction, literally "and it was." It often signals a new, significant event or divine revelation about to occur. It sets a formal tone, highlighting the importance and definite beginning of what follows. In prophetic literature, it underscores God's initiative in breaking into human time.
- in the eleventh year: A precise historical marker. This dating is relative to the captivity of King Jehoiachin (2 Ki 24:12-15). It indicates meticulous record-keeping by Ezekiel and highlights the historical reality of the prophecy. This year corresponds approximately to 587/586 BC, coinciding with Jerusalem's final destruction or immediately after, establishing a direct connection to that pivotal event.
- in the first day of the month: Adds further precision to the timing, emphasizing the exact moment of divine revelation. This meticulous dating reinforces the authenticity and verifiability of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry. It might also carry calendrical significance for the exiles.
- that the word (דְבַר, dĕbar) of the Lord (יְהוָה, Yahweh) came: This phrase is the standard formula for divine revelation throughout prophetic books, asserting the supernatural origin and absolute authority of the message. "Dabar" (word) implies a living, active, and potent utterance from God. "Yahweh" (the Lord) is God's covenant name, underscoring His sovereignty and relationship with His creation and chosen people.
- unto me: Identifies Ezekiel as the direct recipient of this divine message, reinforcing his role as God's chosen messenger in exile. It confirms his authority to declare God's pronouncements.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month": This detailed chronological framing is a hallmark of Ezekiel's prophecies (e.g., Eze 1:1, 8:1, 20:1, 24:1). It roots the prophecy firmly in historical reality for the original exilic audience. The exact date conveys a sense of divine intentionality and a precise timeline in God's plan of judgment and redemption. For an exiled people who might feel lost in time, this divine clockwork offered reassurance of God's ongoing involvement. This specific date would have also connected the Tyre prophecy directly with the events in Judah, providing an interpretative lens: Judah’s fall enables Tyre’s judgment, implying God’s justice is consistent for all nations.
- "that the word of the Lord came unto me": This declarative phrase underlines the theological bedrock of the prophetic office. It's not Ezekiel's opinion or insight but a direct, authoritative revelation from Yahweh. The phrase distinguishes true prophecy from human speculation and reminds both the prophet and the audience that the message carries divine weight and certainty. The message's power derives not from the messenger but from its divine source, a central theme across all prophets (e.g., Jer 1:9).
Ezekiel 26 1 Bonus section
The "eleventh year" in Ezekiel 26:1 is commonly understood to refer to the eleventh year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, a standard chronological marker used by Ezekiel (e.g., Eze 1:2, 8:1, 20:1, 24:1). This places the prophecy around 587 BC, a crucial juncture coinciding with the fall of Jerusalem (2 Ki 25:1-4). This timing suggests that the pronouncement against Tyre is directly linked to Judah's collapse, possibly implying that Tyre's reaction to Jerusalem's fate (e.g., gloating, commercial exploitation, or a sense of enhanced security) was the immediate provocation for God's judgment. Ezekiel's prophecies against foreign nations (chapters 25-32) serve multiple theological purposes for the exilic community: they demonstrate Yahweh's universal sovereignty beyond Israel's borders, affirm His justice against those who opposed or oppressed Judah, and offer a glimmer of hope that Israel's oppressors would also face accountability. This structure reassured the exiles that God was still in control, despite their present humiliation.
Ezekiel 26 1 Commentary
Ezekiel 26:1 is a precise and potent introduction to one of the most comprehensive prophecies against a single foreign nation in the Old Testament. The meticulous dating signifies divine intention and historical accuracy, establishing the exact moment God revealed His judgment against the opulent city of Tyre. This particular timing, set shortly after Jerusalem’s predicted downfall, suggests that Tyre’s unrighteous response to Judah's calamity—likely celebratory or opportunistic exploitation—triggered God's imminent action. The verse emphasizes that this is not human foresight but the authoritative "word of the Lord," affirming God’s absolute sovereignty over nations and His precise execution of justice. It foreshadows Tyre's destruction not as a mere historical event but as a direct act of divine will, aimed at demonstrating His glory and power to all the kingdoms of the earth.