Ezekiel 26 2

Ezekiel 26:2 kjv

Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste:

Ezekiel 26:2 nkjv

"Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, 'Aha! She is broken who was the gateway of the peoples; now she is turned over to me; I shall be filled; she is laid waste.'

Ezekiel 26:2 niv

"Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, 'Aha! The gate to the nations is broken, and its doors have swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will prosper,'

Ezekiel 26:2 esv

"Son of man, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, 'Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I shall be replenished, now that she is laid waste,'

Ezekiel 26:2 nlt

"Son of man, Tyre has rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, saying, 'Ha! She who was the gateway to the rich trade routes to the east has been broken, and I am the heir! Because she has been made desolate, I will become wealthy!'

Ezekiel 26 verses

Ezekiel 26 2 Meaning

Ezekiel 26:2 declares God's charge against the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre. Tyre rejoiced malevolently at the fall of Jerusalem, celebrating its destruction with a gloating "Aha!" Tyre perceived Jerusalem as a commercial rival, "the gateway of the peoples," whose ruin would open the way for Tyre's own economic prosperity and "filling" of its coffers by monopolizing trade routes previously influenced by Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 26 2 Context

Ezekiel 26:2 opens a powerful prophetic oracle against the wealthy Phoenician city-state of Tyre, which runs from chapters 26 to 28. This section is part of a larger collection of "oracles against the nations" (Eze 25-32), where God pronounces judgment upon the various Gentile peoples surrounding Judah for their actions against His chosen people or their arrogance. Historically, the city of Jerusalem had already suffered significant damage by the Babylonian conquest of 597 BC and was on the verge of its final destruction in 586 BC, an event known as the Fall of Jerusalem, which included the destruction of the Temple and widespread exile. Tyre's reaction, expressed in this verse, indicates a opportunistic and hostile attitude toward Judah during its moment of greatest vulnerability.

Ezekiel 26 2 Word analysis

• Son of man (בֶּן אָדָם - ben 'adam): This is God's recurring address to Ezekiel, used 93 times in the book. It highlights Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in contrast to the divine authority of his message. It connects the prophet to his human audience, emphasizing his identification with them while delivering God's transcendent word.
• because Tyre (צֹר - Tzor) has said: Introduces the specific reason for divine judgment. Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city, a major maritime and commercial power known for its extensive trade networks, wealth, and purple dye. "Said" here denotes not merely a spoken word, but an expressed sentiment, a posture of mind, or even a public boast.
• against Jerusalem: Clearly defines the target of Tyre's animosity and scorn. This reveals a history of political and economic rivalry, but here, it also signifies opposition to God's chosen city.
• ‘Aha (הֶאָח - he'ach): An exclamation of derisive joy, malicious triumph, or gloating satisfaction. It reveals a deeply negative, even cruel, attitude. It is used in Psalms and Lamentations to describe the mocking of enemies (Ps 35:21; Lam 2:16).
• she is broken (שָׁבְּרָה - shaverah): Perfect tense verb, indicating a completed action. It signifies total destruction or shattering, referring to Jerusalem's walls, gates, and the entire city. It suggests physical and possibly spiritual ruin.
• who was the gateway (פֶתַח - phetach) of the peoples (הָעַמִּים - ha'amim):
  • Gateway: Signifies Jerusalem's strategic geographical location, serving as a crossroads for trade routes between Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean coast. It was a point of entry and exit, influencing access and traffic for numerous nations.
  • of the peoples: Refers to the various nations or Gentile groups who would pass through or trade with Jerusalem. This highlights Jerusalem's importance as a commercial and possibly even cultural hub, attracting diverse groups.
  • Combined, this phrase reveals Tyre's understanding of Jerusalem primarily as an economic entity and rival.
• now that she is laid waste (הֶחֱרְבָה - heḥervevah): Another perfect tense verb, emphasizing the utter desolation and uninhabited state of Jerusalem. This underscores the completeness of its ruin, a fact Tyre rejoices over.
• I shall be filled (אֶמָּלֵא - emmale'):
  • Future tense verb. Tyre's self-serving motive for rejoicing. It anticipates gaining increased commercial opportunities, trade volume, or resources directly as a result of Jerusalem's fall.
  • This "filling" is material and economic, a direct counterpoint to Jerusalem's spiritual significance. It showcases Tyre's materialistic worldview and avarice.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem": This opening establishes the divine indictment of a specific nation for its spoken contempt and actions towards God's holy city, emphasizing God's immediate response to such declarations.
• "Aha, she is broken who was the gateway of the peoples": This phrase captures Tyre's malevolent joy and the economic lens through which it viewed Jerusalem's destruction. Jerusalem, once a key node in the region's network, is now shattered, seen as an obstacle removed.
• "now that she is laid waste, I shall be filled": This reveals Tyre's deeply pragmatic and selfish motivation. The desolation of Jerusalem is directly linked to the anticipated economic gain and prosperity of Tyre, framing the disaster as a profitable opportunity rather than a tragic event.

Ezekiel 26 2 Bonus section

• The Hebrew exclamation "Aha!" (he'ach) is an onomatopoeic word expressing scorn and malice, revealing a raw and unbridled joy in an enemy's misfortune. Its repetition in biblical texts regarding enemies of God's people emphasizes the severity of this sin (e.g., Ps 35:21, 40:15, 70:3; Lam 2:16).
• Tyre's perspective on Jerusalem as "the gateway of the peoples" highlights the ancient Near Eastern economic and political realities. Control over key trade routes was paramount for national prosperity. For Tyre, Jerusalem's destruction meant eliminating a major land-based rival, diverting more trade through its maritime routes.
• This verse sets the stage for one of the most extensive and detailed prophetic pronouncements against any single city outside of Israel (Eze 26-28), known for its historical precision concerning the subsequent destructions by Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander the Great, and the eventual unfulfillment of the city's former glory. It serves as a stark warning against pride and self-serving economic exploitation.
• The contrast between Jerusalem, meant to be a spiritual light to the nations (Isa 2:2-4, 60:3), and Tyre, consumed by material wealth, provides a powerful thematic tension within Ezekiel's prophecies. While Jerusalem faced divine judgment for its idolatry and disobedience, other nations were judged for their attitudes and actions toward God's chosen, regardless of Jerusalem's sin.

Ezekiel 26 2 Commentary

Ezekiel 26:2 encapsulates Tyre's profound moral failure, a sin of hubris and opportunistic avarice. The prophet declares God's judgment against Tyre not merely for witnessing Jerusalem's demise but for actively gloating and exploiting it for economic gain. Tyre's "Aha!" demonstrates a heart devoid of empathy and fueled by commercial rivalry. It saw Jerusalem, the "gateway of the peoples"—a place significant not only for trade but also for its spiritual role as God's chosen city—as merely an economic competitor. With Jerusalem "broken" and "laid waste," Tyre immediately envisioned its own prosperity, expecting its markets to be "filled" with the vacuum created by Judah's downfall. This perspective fundamentally misjudges divine sovereignty, failing to recognize that Jerusalem's fall was part of God's disciplinary plan, and rejoicing over it amounted to defying God's purposes. Tyre's arrogant self-interest, prioritizing worldly wealth over the distress of God's people, seals its fate for divine retribution.