Ezekiel 26 18

Ezekiel 26:18 kjv

Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure.

Ezekiel 26:18 nkjv

Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall; Yes, the coastlands by the sea are troubled at your departure." '

Ezekiel 26:18 niv

Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall; the islands in the sea are terrified at your collapse.'

Ezekiel 26:18 esv

Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall, and the coastlands that are on the sea are dismayed at your passing.'

Ezekiel 26:18 nlt

Now the coastlands tremble at your fall.
The islands are dismayed as you disappear.

Ezekiel 26 verses

Ezekiel 26 18 Meaning

Ezekiel 26:18 prophesies the widespread and terrifying reaction of the surrounding maritime nations, referred to as "coastlands" or "islands," to the ultimate and complete downfall of Tyre. It signifies that the catastrophic destruction of this mighty Phoenician trading empire will send shockwaves of fear and dismay throughout all seafaring communities, underscoring the finality and immense impact of God's judgment. The verse uses parallel phrasing to emphasize the depth of their terror, realizing that if Tyre, so strong and seemingly invincible, could fall, none were truly safe from divine wrath.

Ezekiel 26 18 Context

Ezekiel 26:18 is embedded within a prolonged oracle of judgment against Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city. The chapter begins by detailing Tyre's proud reaction to Jerusalem's destruction (Ezek 26:2), seeing it as an opportunity for increased trade. God's response is an unwavering declaration of Tyre's downfall.

The prophecy outlines two main phases of destruction: first by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Ezek 26:7-11), who would siege the city, and second, by "many nations" who would complete its obliteration, casting its stones, timbers, and soil into the sea (Ezek 26:12-14). This ultimate devastation would render Tyre a bare rock, a "place for spreading nets," forever.

Verse 18 specifically follows a lament (Ezek 26:17) delivered by princes of the sea, expressing sorrow and awe over Tyre's ruin. It then shifts to the predicted response of other trading partners and dependent "coastlands," highlighting their fear. The historical context reveals Tyre as a magnificent maritime power, a global economic hub, renowned for its impenetrable fortifications, extensive trading network, and numerous colonies (e.g., Carthage). Its fall was not just the demise of one city, but the collapse of an entire economic and political system. Thus, the trembling and terror of the coastlands were a natural consequence, both real and prophetic, of the shockwaves sent through the ancient world by the destruction of such an eminent entity, demonstrating God's sovereign power over even the most self-assured earthly empires. The "overthrow" mentioned hints at the profound, almost primordial, devastation prophesied, akin to a complete reversal or obliteration, a divine polemic against the hubris of a self-sufficient, wealthy city.

Ezekiel 26 18 Word analysis

• Now (הֵן - hen): This particle serves as an emphatic interjection, translated as "behold," "indeed," or "surely." It signals a momentous, certain, and often surprising pronouncement, drawing the listener's immediate attention to the coming event. It introduces a statement of fact that will be awe-inspiring.

• the coastlands (הָאִיִּים - ha'iyyim): This plural definite noun comes from אִי (ʾî), which refers to inhabited places, either actual islands or coastlands/coastal regions, particularly those associated with maritime activity or distant lands. In a broader sense, it encompasses the global sphere of Tyre's influence and trade partners across the Mediterranean and beyond. Its usage here emphasizes the broad reach of the news and impact of Tyre's fall.

• will tremble (יֶחֶרְדוּ - yekher'du): This is the Qal imperfect verb form of חָרַד (kharad), meaning "to tremble," "quake," "shudder," or "be anxious." It describes an involuntary physical reaction to fear or awe, often indicative of intense dread. The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing or repeated action, emphasizing the lingering impact of the fear.

• on the day of (בְּיוֹם - b'yom): This prepositional phrase indicates a specific, decisive point in time. It's "the day" when the prophesied event comes to pass, marking the moment of Tyre's catastrophic downfall.

• your fall (מַפַּלְתֵּךְ - mappaltek): This noun, meaning "fall" or "downfall," stems from נָפַל (naphal), "to fall." It denotes a profound collapse, ruin, or defeat, not merely a minor setback. The suffix '-tek' signifies "your" (feminine singular), referring to Tyre directly.

• indeed, the coastlands (וְנִבְהֲלוּ הָאִיִּים - v'nivhalu ha'iyyim): This is a direct parallel construction. The initial "and" (וְ - ve) acts as an intensifying "indeed."

  • will be terrified (וְנִבְהֲלוּ - v'nivhalu): This is the Niphal perfect verb form of בָּהַל (bahal), meaning "to be terrified," "dismayed," "alarmed," or "panic." Niphal signifies a passive or reflexive action; they are caused to be terrified or find themselves in a state of terror. It denotes a stronger, more sudden, and overwhelming fright than kharad. The conjunction with "tremble" shows a deepening and comprehensive emotional and physical response.

• by the sea (אֲשֶׁר בַּיָּם - asher bayyam): This phrase ("who/that [are] in/by the sea") explicitly qualifies which "coastlands" are particularly affected. It reinforces their identity as maritime powers and trading partners whose very livelihood is linked to the sea, making Tyre's demise a direct blow to their world. The sea in biblical thought can also symbolize the restless nations, amplifying the scope of disturbance.

• at your passing (מִמַּהֲפֵכָה - mimmahapekhah): This prepositional phrase means "from/because of your overthrow" or "your utter destruction." The noun מַהְפֵכָה (mahpekah) is powerful, describing a catastrophic overturning, a complete reversal or devastation. It's often associated with divine judgment of a scale like Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:29), implying the total obliteration of a thriving entity, thus inspiring profound terror.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Now the coastlands will tremble... indeed, the coastlands... will be terrified": This is an emphatic parallelism. The repetition of "coastlands" underscores the vast geographical extent of the impact, while the use of two distinct but complementary verbs (kharad - tremble, bahal - be terrified) intensifies the degree of fear, portraying a deep-seated and widespread panic that grips the entire maritime world. It moves from an initial reaction of trembling to an overwhelming state of terror.
  • "on the day of your fall... at your passing/overthrow": This pair provides synonymous parallelism. Both phrases pinpoint the singular, decisive moment of Tyre's utter destruction as the cause for this terror. The "fall" denotes a collapse from prominence, while "overthrow" emphasizes a complete, cataclysmic reversal or annihilation, signifying an irreversible ruin and a total end to its power and influence.

Ezekiel 26 18 Bonus section

• The Sea as a Prophetic Symbol: In biblical thought, the "sea" often symbolizes the nations of the world, restless and often in rebellion against God (e.g., Ps 65:7, Isa 17:12-13, Rev 17:15). Therefore, the coastlands by the sea experiencing terror speaks not only to the geographical entities but also metaphorically to the agitated and disturbed nature of worldly powers recognizing the terrifying might of God.
• Divine Polemic against Arrogance: This prophecy against Tyre (and particularly v. 18) serves as a potent polemic against human arrogance and the idolatry of wealth and self-reliance. Tyre, like other cities judged in Ezekiel and elsewhere (Babylon in Isa 13-14, Egypt in Ezek 29-32), is chastised for its pride and self-glorification, often seeing its prosperity as purely a result of its own cunning rather than a gift from God. The terror of the other nations underscores the terrifying end of such self-exaltation.
• Typological Significance to Babylon's Fall in Revelation: The language used to describe the lament and terror surrounding Tyre's fall strongly echoes the later description of "Babylon's" (often seen as symbolic of an antichrist system or apostate world power) destruction in Revelation 18. The merchants, kings, and seafarers lamenting and standing at a distance due to fear illustrate a recurring pattern in prophetic literature where the fall of a great commercial or political power produces widespread dismay among its beneficiaries and partners.

Ezekiel 26 18 Commentary

Ezekiel 26:18 stands as a stark prophetic announcement of the profound global ripple effect caused by God's judgment upon the proud city of Tyre. It illustrates that the fall of such a dominant and self-sufficient maritime power would not go unnoticed but would cause a wave of fear, specifically described as "trembling" and "being terrified," throughout the connected "coastlands." This is not merely a political or economic shift; it is a manifestation of divine power that compels the world to acknowledge the sovereignty of God over human empires, no matter how powerful or wealthy.

The terror of the coastlands arises from two key realizations. First, if a city like Tyre, believed to be impregnable and a master of the seas, could be utterly destroyed, then no nation, no matter its strength or strategic advantage, could be safe from similar divine intervention. This shatters any illusions of self-sufficiency or lasting security apart from God. Second, Tyre's extensive trade network meant its fall represented an immense economic loss for all its partners, leading to widespread financial dismay and social disruption. The prophecy therefore speaks to both spiritual and material dread.

This verse emphasizes God's comprehensive judgment, executed both physically through earthly instruments (like Nebuchadnezzar and subsequent destroyers) and psychologically on those who witness it. It's a reminder that pride and worldly wealth are fleeting when weighed against the Creator's decrees.