Ezekiel 26 17

Ezekiel 26:17 kjv

And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!

Ezekiel 26:17 nkjv

And they will take up a lamentation for you, and say to you: "How you have perished, O one inhabited by seafaring men, O renowned city, Who was strong at sea, She and her inhabitants, Who caused their terror to be on all her inhabitants!

Ezekiel 26:17 niv

Then they will take up a lament concerning you and say to you: "?'How you are destroyed, city of renown, peopled by men of the sea! You were a power on the seas, you and your citizens; you put your terror on all who lived there.

Ezekiel 26:17 esv

And they will raise a lamentation over you and say to you, "'How you have perished, you who were inhabited from the seas, O city renowned, who was mighty on the sea; she and her inhabitants imposed their terror on all her inhabitants!

Ezekiel 26:17 nlt

Then they will wail for you, singing this funeral song: "O famous island city,
once ruler of the sea,
how you have been destroyed!
Your people, with their naval power,
once spread fear around the world.

Ezekiel 26 verses

Ezekiel 26 17 Meaning

The verse captures the lamentation of the surrounding nations as they witness the complete downfall and destruction of Tyre, once a proud, impregnable, and mighty maritime city. It expresses astonishment and grief at how a city famed for its seafaring power, extensive trade, and the terror it inspired has been utterly brought to ruin, serving as a testament to its dramatic and irreversible end.

Ezekiel 26 17 Context

Ezekiel 26 opens with God's pronouncement against Tyre, a major Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast. Tyre's sin was its gloating over Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon (Eze 26:2), seeing it as an opportunity to monopolize trade routes. The prophecy describes a multi-stage destruction, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's siege (verses 7-11) and culminating in total, permanent desolation by multiple nations, implying its ultimate end when its very remnants would be cast into the sea by future conquerors like Alexander the Great (verses 12-14). Verse 17 is part of a lamentation sung by the nations and princes of the sea, acknowledging Tyre's fall from power and expressing sorrow and shock over the annihilation of what was considered an invincible city. Historically, Tyre was an incredibly wealthy and powerful maritime empire, famous for its purple dye, vast trade networks, and an impressive island fortress, making its perceived security deeply rooted in its naval strength and seemingly impregnable position. The lament directly contrasts this past glory with its present desolation, serving as a powerful theological statement about God's sovereignty over even the mightiest human empires and their commercial achievements. The passage is also a polemic against the pagan world's trust in wealth, strategic location, and military power, asserting that Yahweh alone is the true sustainer and destroyer of nations.

Ezekiel 26 17 Word analysis

• And they shall take up: Hebrew: וְנָשְׂא֣וּ (wĕnās'ʾû) - "And they lifted up." Signifies the beginning of a mournful song or prophecy, a formal and public expression of sorrow.
• a lamentation: Hebrew: קִינָה (qinah) - A mournful dirge or funeral song. It signifies profound sorrow, often associated with the death of a beloved or the complete ruin of a city/nation. Its use here indicates the irreversible end of Tyre's former existence.
• for thee: Direct address, emphasizing Tyre as the subject of the funeral song, a city mourning its own demise.
• and say to thee: Reiteration of the direct address, making the lamentation specific and personal to the fallen city.
• How art thou destroyed: Hebrew: נִדְמֵית (nidmeyt) - from דָּמָה (damah), meaning "to be silenced," "cut off," "perished," or "destroyed." This is an exclamation of astonishment and despair, highlighting the absolute and final nature of Tyre's ruin, a profound cessation of its vitality and noise.
• O thou that wast inhabited of seafaring men: Hebrew: יֹשֶׁ֖בֶת יַמִּֽים (yōšéḇet yammîm) - literally "inhabitant of the seas." This phrase encapsulates Tyre's identity, power, and prosperity, rooted in its island location and mastery of maritime trade. It was a city defined by the sea. The "was" highlights its past glory, now lost.
• the renowned city: Hebrew: עִ֥יר מְהוּלָּלָֽה (ʿîr məhûlālâ) - "city that was praised," "glorious city," or "celebrated city." This emphasizes Tyre's widespread fame, respect, and admiration across the ancient world. It was a benchmark for power and splendor.
• which wast strong in the sea: Hebrew: חֲזָקָה֙ בַּיָּ֔ם (ḥǎzāqâ bayyām) - "strong in the sea." This refers to its naval power, its fortifications against maritime assault, and its overall dominance of the waters. The sea was both its defense and its highway to wealth.
• she and her inhabitants: A comprehensive statement that the city as an entity and its people collectively experienced this utter destruction.
• which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it! Hebrew: חִתְּתָ֖הּ (ḥittetah) - "her terror." The awe, dread, or intimidation that Tyre and its naval forces instilled in other nations, traders, and sailors. This past fear now ironically contrasts with its current vulnerability and utter ruin. "Haunt it" refers to those who frequented its shores, engaged in trade with it, or simply lived near its sphere of influence. The exclamation marks the shocking reversal of its fortunes.

Ezekiel 26 17 Bonus section

The lamentation for Tyre in Ezekiel 26, and more broadly in chapters 27 and 28, goes beyond mere military defeat to describe an existential undoing. The "qinah" (lamentation) used for Tyre is typically reserved for a personal tragedy, suggesting the complete termination of the city's historical and cultural existence, not just a change of governance. Scholars highlight how Tyre's destruction was uniquely complete in history; it was literally scraped bare and its stones and timber cast into the sea by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, fulfilling the prophecy of becoming "a bare rock, a place for the spreading of nets" (Eze 26:14). This physical obliteration, turning a thriving metropolis into a fishing ground, illustrates the total and irrevocable nature of God's judgment against pride and ungodly commerce. The verse, therefore, serves as a powerful testament to the prophetic accuracy of Ezekiel and the sobering truth that earthly prosperity and military might, when devoid of reverence for God, are fleeting.

Ezekiel 26 17 Commentary

Ezekiel 26:17 provides a dramatic dirge over the fallen city of Tyre, emphasizing the stark contrast between its former glory and its desolate state. The prophecy foretells the astonished reaction of other nations as they lament the complete destruction of what seemed an invincible power. Tyre's identity was interwoven with its maritime strength, being the "inhabitant of the seas" and "strong in the sea," and its renown (עִיר מְהוּלָּלָה, "renowned city") was global. Yet, despite its impregnable island fortress, vast wealth from trade, and the terror it once inspired in seafaring peoples, God's judgment silences it completely (נִדְמֵית, "destroyed" or "silenced"). This lament underscores that no human power, wealth, or strategic advantage can ultimately withstand divine decree, reminding all of the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and the enduring sovereignty of Yahweh. The sorrow of other nations highlights not only the magnitude of Tyre's fall but also their own vulnerability in a world where even the mighty can be so utterly undone.