Ezekiel 26 7

Ezekiel 26:7 kjv

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.

Ezekiel 26:7 nkjv

"For thus says the Lord GOD: 'Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses, with chariots, and with horsemen, and an army with many people.

Ezekiel 26:7 niv

"For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: From the north I am going to bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, with horsemen and a great army.

Ezekiel 26:7 esv

"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a host of many soldiers.

Ezekiel 26:7 nlt

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: From the north I will bring King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon against Tyre. He is king of kings and brings his horses, chariots, charioteers, and great army.

Ezekiel 26 verses

Ezekiel 26 7 Meaning

Ezekiel 26:7 declares a direct divine pronouncement of judgment against the city of Tyre. It states that the Lord God Himself will bring Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, from the north to attack Tyre with an overwhelmingly powerful military force. This verse identifies the specific human instrument and the scale of the impending destruction, emphasizing God's sovereign control over historical events and nations.

Ezekiel 26 7 Context

Ezekiel chapter 26 is a vivid prophecy of judgment specifically directed at Tyre. The preceding chapters primarily focus on the judgment against various surrounding nations (Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia). Chapter 26 opens with Tyre's presumptuous reaction to the fall of Jerusalem (v. 2), viewing it as an economic opportunity ("Ah! 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!"). This hubris and celebration of Israel's misfortune immediately trigger the Lord's pronouncement of Tyre's complete devastation. Verse 7 specifically identifies Nebuchadnezzar as the executor of this divine judgment, signaling the beginning of a detailed account of Tyre's downfall and desolation, setting the stage for one of the longest and most thorough prophetic pronouncements against a city in the Old Testament. Historically, Tyre was a wealthy Phoenician maritime city, famed for its impenetrable island fortress, powerful navy, and extensive trade networks. It had resisted previous empires. This prophecy details God bringing the mighty Babylonian empire against what seemed an invincible power.

Ezekiel 26 7 Word analysis

• For thus says: (כֹּה אָמַר, koh amar) This phrase is a common and definitive prophetic formula, establishing the absolute divine authority and certainty of the pronouncement. It leaves no room for doubt about the source of the message.
• the Lord God: (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, Adonai Yehovah) A powerful combination of the possessive master-title "Lord" (Adonai) and the covenantal name "YHWH" (often rendered "Jehovah" or "the LORD" in English Bibles, here specified with Yehovih vocalization to avoid immediately following Adonai with Adonai). This highlights God's sovereignty and His faithful, active role in fulfilling His word, both as Creator and as the God who reveals Himself.
• Behold: (הִנְנִי, hinni) An emphatic interjection meaning "look," "pay attention," or "indeed I am." It grabs the audience's attention and signals the introduction of an immediate, certain, and significant divine action or event.
• I am bringing: (מֵבִיא, mevi) This is a participle form of the verb "to bring," implying continuous or imminent action. The "I" refers to God, emphasizing His direct agency and active initiation of the invasion. God is not merely foretelling; He is orchestrating.
• against Tyre: (אֶל-צֹר, el Tsor) The specific target of judgment is clearly identified. Tyre was a globally renowned maritime city, epitomizing commercial power and self-reliance, which makes its divine targeting significant.
• from the north: (מִצָּפוֹן, mi-tsaphon) In biblical geography, invasions against Israel and its neighbors often came from the north, even if the originators (like Babylon) were geographically east/southeast. The terrain facilitated southward movement through the coastal plain. It becomes a symbolic direction of divine judgment, often associated with destruction.
• Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon: (נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל, Nevukhadnetsar melekh Bavel) The human instrument of judgment is explicitly named. Nebuchadnezzar II (ruled c. 605-562 BC) was the most powerful ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, known for his vast conquests, including the destruction of Jerusalem and the siege of Tyre. His specific identification removes ambiguity.
• a king of kings: (מֶלֶךְ מְלָכִים, melekh melakhim) A title signifying supreme authority and imperial dominance. Nebuchadnezzar exercised dominion over many lesser kings who were his vassals. This title underscores his unparalleled power among human rulers, making him a fitting instrument for a powerful divine judgment. It signals the overwhelming nature of the coming attack.
• with horses and chariots: (בְּסוּס וּבְרֶכֶב, be-sus u-ve-rekhev) Represents the cavalry (horses) and heavily armed, mobile combat platforms (chariots), which were the premier offensive military technologies of the ancient world. They symbolized speed, power, and overwhelming force in battle.
• with horsemen and a great army: (וּבְפָרָשִׁים וְקָהָל רָב, u-ve-pharashim v’qahal rav) Parashim refers to individual horse-riders (cavalry). Qahal rav translates to a "great assembly" or "large multitude/congregation," used here to describe a vast, formidable military force. These terms together complete the picture of a comprehensively equipped and immensely numerous fighting force.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am bringing...": This opening powerfully establishes divine causality. God is not a passive observer; He is the active force behind the geopolitical movements that impact Tyre. The phrasing links His sovereign word directly to the unfolding of historical events.
• "against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon": This specific combination of target, direction of attack (a classic invasion route for devastation), and precise identification of the formidable attacker, leaves no doubt about the prophecy's intention and execution. It's a precise blueprint for an imminent judgment.
• "a king of kings, with horses and chariots, with horsemen and a great army": This phrase meticulously details the might of the invading force. The title "king of kings" emphasizes Nebuchadnezzar's absolute power and control over lesser monarchs, while the military inventory ("horses," "chariots," "horsemen," "great army") highlights the sheer numerical and technological superiority of the Babylonian forces. It is meant to convey that this force is not just any army, but one uniquely positioned for decisive conquest, illustrating the scale of judgment.

Ezekiel 26 7 Bonus section

The specific naming of Nebuchadnezzar, historically verified as besieging Tyre for thirteen years (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, X.11.1), provides strong evidence of the prophecy's accuracy. While Nebuchadnezzar's siege devastated mainland Tyre and led to its submission, the island city itself remained largely intact for a time, illustrating a nuance in prophetic fulfillment often seen where initial judgments are partial or set the stage for later, complete destructions (in this case, by Alexander the Great in 332 BC). The verse sets the foundation for this historical process, where God uses multiple agents over time to fully accomplish His decree. This passage underscores that God often works through established human powers, even ungodly ones, to execute His divine will and chastisement upon nations, revealing a depth to His control over history often unseen by human observers.

Ezekiel 26 7 Commentary

Ezekiel 26:7 is a critical verse in the prophecy against Tyre, shifting from the general declaration of destruction in previous verses to explicitly identifying the how and by whom. It showcases the absolute sovereignty of the Lord God over all nations, even the most powerful pagan empires and their rulers. Nebuchadnezzar, despite his immense human authority ("a king of kings"), is presented as merely an instrument, "My servant" (as elsewhere called in Jeremiah), in God's hands. The direction "from the north" is significant, tapping into common ancient Near Eastern motifs of invasion and judgment originating from that direction. The detailed enumeration of Babylon's military components – "horses, chariots, horsemen, and a great army" – paints a picture of overwhelming, irresistible force designed to convey the certainty and severity of Tyre's impending doom, stripping away any sense of false security the wealthy island city might have harbored due to its formidable defenses and maritime prowess. It demonstrates that no human power, wealth, or strategic advantage can ultimately withstand the will of God when He decrees judgment. This also serves as a warning against national pride and complacency.