Ezekiel 28 12

Ezekiel 28:12 kjv

Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

Ezekiel 28:12 nkjv

"Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

Ezekiel 28:12 niv

"Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "?'You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

Ezekiel 28:12 esv

"Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

Ezekiel 28:12 nlt

"Son of man, sing this funeral song for the king of Tyre. Give him this message from the Sovereign LORD: "You were the model of perfection,
full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.

Ezekiel 28 12 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Ezekiel 28:12"You are the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty."Eze 28:12
Isaiah 14:12-15"How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!"Isa 14:12-15 (Fall of Satan)
Luke 10:18"I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."Luke 10:18 (Satan's fall)
Genesis 3:1-6The serpent's pride and deception led to sin.Gen 3:1-6 (Serpent's sin)
Proverbs 16:18"Pride goes before destruction, and arrogance before a fall."Pro 16:18 (Pride's outcome)
1 Timothy 3:6A newly made believer must not be conceited, or he may fall under the same judgment as the devil.1 Tim 3:6 (Conceit warning)
Revelation 12:7-9Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels were not strong enough.Rev 12:7-9 (War in heaven)
Daniel 4:30-37Nebuchadnezzar's pride led to his degradation.Dan 4:30-37 (Nebuchadnezzar)
Ezekiel 28:13-15"You were on the holy mountain of God... perfect in your ways."Eze 28:13-15 (Past perfection)
Ezekiel 28:17"Your heart became proud on account of your beauty..."Eze 28:17 (Reason for fall)
Isaiah 45:9"Woe to him who struggles with his Maker!"Isa 45:9 (Against God)
Romans 9:20"But who are you, O man, to question God?"Rom 9:20 (Man questioning God)
2 Thessalonians 2:4He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped.2 Thes 2:4 (Antichrist parallel)
1 Peter 5:8"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion..."1 Pet 5:8 (Enemy's nature)
John 8:44"He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him."John 8:44 (Devil's origin)
Jude 1:6"And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for the judgment of the great day."Jude 1:6 (Fallen angels)
Psalm 75:7"But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he raises another."Ps 75:7 (God's judgment)
Jeremiah 17:9"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"Jer 17:9 (Deceitful heart)
Habakkuk 2:5-6"Indeed, wine betrays a swaggering man, no good man, who keeps opening his appetite wide like the grave."Hab 2:5-6 (Arrogance)
Zechariah 4:10"For who has despised the day of small things?"Zec 4:10 (Humility vs. Pride)

Ezekiel 28 verses

Ezekiel 28 12 Meaning

This verse describes the downfall of the king of Tyre, depicting him as a once-perfect and beautiful being who became corrupted by his own pride and sin. The text vividly illustrates his initial exalted position and subsequent utter destruction, highlighting God's judgment against wickedness.

Ezekiel 28 12 Context

Ezekiel 28 is a prophetic oracle directed at the King of Tyre. Historically, Tyre was a prosperous Phoenician city renowned for its wealth, power, and impressive maritime trade. The chapter uses the king of Tyre as a figure to symbolize a deeper spiritual reality, often interpreted as representing Lucifer before his fall or the Antichrist figure. The immediate context of chapter 28 follows a prophecy against the Ammonites. God is pronouncing judgment on nations surrounding Israel that opposed His people. The lament over the King of Tyre is particularly detailed because of the city's exceptional pride and perceived self-sufficiency. The chapter draws parallels between human arrogance and the rebellion of fallen spiritual beings.

Ezekiel 28 12 Word Analysis

  • You (Att: 'attâ - you, masculine singular): The direct address of God to the king of Tyre.
  • are (Att: 'attâ - to be, masculine singular imperfect): Establishes the current state of the subject.
  • the signet (Hebrew: tammah - completeness, perfection): This word conveys the idea of being flawless, entire, and morally upright. It speaks of a seal of authenticity and ultimate value.
  • of perfection (Hebrew: tam - completeness, integrity): Reinforces the idea of faultlessness and a state of ideal wholeness.
  • full (Hebrew: male' - to be full, to fill): Implies an abundance or complete containment of something.
  • of wisdom (Hebrew: chokmah - wisdom, skill, insight): Refers to deep understanding, practical skill, and sound judgment.
  • and perfect (Hebrew: tam - completeness, integrity): Repetition emphasizing the state of unblemished quality.
  • in beauty (Hebrew: yophi - beauty, comeliness, handsomeness): Refers to physical attractiveness or pleasing appearance.

Words-group analysis

  • signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty: This phrase paints a picture of an ideal, God-given state. "Signet" (tammah) implies something marked, sealed, and representing supreme authority or completeness, like a royal seal of approval. It signifies that this being was divinely appointed and characterized by integrity, wisdom, and beauty, perhaps in a leadership or angelic capacity.

Ezekiel 28 12 Bonus Section

The term "signet" is often associated with royalty and authority, indicating that this being held a position of high esteem and possibly leadership before their fall. Scholars often draw parallels between this description of the King of Tyre and biblical accounts of the fall of Satan, as seen in Isaiah 14 and Luke 10:18. The perfection described here is not merely a superficial or aesthetic beauty, but an integrated wholeness of character and being, reflecting a profound divine artistry. The loss of this state was not due to any flaw in God's creation but the deliberate choice of the created being to embrace pride and self-exaltation, which ultimately led to their utter destruction and separation from God.

Ezekiel 28 12 Commentary

This verse articulates the profound beauty and perfection that characterized this individual in their original state. The imagery of being a "signet of perfection" suggests a unique creation, marked by God's own seal of approval, embodying completeness, wisdom, and beauty. This description transcends mere physical attributes, pointing to an intrinsic spiritual and moral faultlessness. The subsequent fall, detailed in later verses of the chapter, is thus made more poignant as it represents a devastating deviation from this perfect origin. The text emphasizes that this ideal state was a gift from God, and its loss was due to the corruption that took root in the heart, fueled by pride. This dual portrayal serves as a stark warning against allowing one's own attributes, however divinely bestowed, to lead to arrogance and a rejection of God's sovereignty.