Ezekiel 28 13

Ezekiel 28:13 kjv

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

Ezekiel 28:13 nkjv

You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.

Ezekiel 28:13 niv

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.

Ezekiel 28:13 esv

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared.

Ezekiel 28:13 nlt

You were in Eden,
the garden of God.
Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone ?
red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone,
blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper,
blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald ?
all beautifully crafted for you
and set in the finest gold.
They were given to you
on the day you were created.

Ezekiel 28 verses

Ezekiel 28 13 Meaning

Ezekiel 28:13 describes a being of immense beauty, perfection, and elevated status, situated in a primordial, paradisiacal setting associated with God's dwelling. It details the splendor of its attire, covered in various precious stones, and mentions its creation. While initially addressing the human "King of Tyre," the language transcends ordinary human kingship, pointing to a cosmic, pre-Adamic existence, often interpreted as referring to Satan before his fall.

Ezekiel 28 13 Context

Ezekiel chapter 28 presents a divine judgment against the Prince/King of Tyre. Initially, the prophecy addresses the human ruler of Tyre, condemning his immense pride, his claim to divine status, and his belief in his own self-sufficiency (Eze 28:2-5). However, as the prophecy progresses from verse 12 onwards, the language dramatically shifts from a mere human king to a magnificent, supernatural being whose history precedes human creation. This transition, often termed a 'dual fulfillment' or an 'archetypal' reference, expands the indictment to include the cosmic instigator behind such human pride and rebellion: Satan.

Verse 13 introduces this figure in a paradisiacal, pre-fall state, establishing a past glory that makes its subsequent fall all the more significant. This context serves not only as a polemic against Tyre's self-deification but also unveils the ultimate source of pride and rebellion against God, providing a theological backdrop for understanding evil's origin. The Tyrians' vast wealth, trading power, and sense of invulnerability made them a symbol of earthly pride that contrasted sharply with this divinely created beauty.

Ezekiel 28 13 Word analysis

• You were: A direct address to the subject, singular ("אַתָּה", 'attah). This pronoun directly points to the "King of Tyre" from the preceding verses, but the subsequent descriptions quickly establish this referent is not solely a human ruler.
• in Eden: (בְעֵדֶן, be·‘Ē·ḏen) Directly refers to the Garden of Eden from Gen 2-3, suggesting a pristine, pre-fall, holy, and perfect environment, associated with God's original creation and presence. This place is not an earthly kingdom.
• the garden of God: (גַּן־אֱלֹהִים, gan-’ĕ·lō·hîm) An intensified and more definitive description of Eden, emphasizing its divine ownership and sanctity. It signifies a place of ultimate perfection, where God's presence was intimate and unhindered. This explicitly removes the "King of Tyre" from a merely human, earthly context.
• every precious stone: (כָּל־אֶבֶן יְקָרָה, kol-’e·ḇen yeqarah) Denotes immense value, beauty, and splendor. It suggests an attire of extraordinary brilliance and richness, beyond any human monarch. These stones are symbolic of divine artistry and perfection.
• was your covering: (מְסֻכָתֶךָ, měsukāṯeḵā) Refers to being adorned or clothed. This isn't just about owning stones; they are his garment. The image implies inherent glory, possibly like light itself, not just an external decoration. It suggests an integral aspect of his being or position.
• sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle: A comprehensive list of nine distinct, radiant gemstones. This selection emphasizes not just the quantity but the diverse spectrum of dazzling colors and preciousness, collectively portraying unparalleled glory and beauty. This enumeration recalls the twelve stones on the High Priest's breastplate in Ex 28, suggesting a sacral, perhaps mediatorial, role or connection to God's presence, but here as inherent adornment, not mere function.
• and of gold: The Hebrew is "וְזָהָב" (wězāhāḇ), literally "and gold." It might imply that gold was also part of his adornment, or even the setting for the stones, further elevating the richness. Gold, a precious metal, signifies purity, value, and kingship.
• were your settings: (מְלָאכֶת תֻּפֶּיךָ, melāḵeṯ ṭuppêḵā) This phrase is complex. Melakhath means "workmanship" or "settings." Tupeyka can mean "your settings," "your tambours" (musical instruments like a tambourine), or "your engravings." The ambiguity adds layers. If "settings," it implies the intricate craftsmanship that holds the jewels. If "tambours," it might suggest an aspect of celebratory music or even inherent musicality within the cherub, reflecting heavenly worship. Scholars mostly lean towards "settings" or "workmanship."
• and your engravings: (נְקָבֶיךָ, neqābêḵā) Or "your channels" or "your hollows." This could refer to intricate work on the stones or a body inscribed with beauty. Combined with "settings," it implies a complete and meticulously crafted appearance.
• on the day that you were created: (בְּיוֹם הִבָּרַאֲךָ, běyōm hibbarā’ăḵā) Crucially signifies a creature, not the Creator. It directly points to an act of divine creation, distinguishing this being from God. It also refers to a primordial origin, pre-dating Adam's sin and placement in Eden as generally understood for humanity, and indeed, his existence began in perfection.

Ezekiel 28 13 Bonus section

• Polemics against Tyrian Idolatry: This description, though cosmic in scope, serves as a direct polemic against the Tyrian king's self-exaltation. Tyre was renowned for its material wealth, its craftsmanship, and its sense of invulnerability derived from its maritime power. The King claimed divine status, stating "I am a god" (Eze 28:2). Ezekiel counters this by revealing a divinely created being (whose fall parallels the Tyrian king's pride) that truly possessed unparalleled, God-given glory, yet still fell through pride. This contrasts Tyre's superficial, earthly pride with a cosmic truth, emphasizing that even the most glorious creature is subordinate to the Creator.
• Interpretive Debate on "King of Tyre": The dual nature of the prophecy (addressing a human king but describing a superhuman entity) is a cornerstone of its interpretation. While some scholars restrict it purely to an extravagant description of a human king (e.g., Ithobaal II), the overwhelming consensus, especially given verses 14-16, attributes this description to a veiled reference to Satan. This allegorical or typological approach reveals a deeper spiritual reality behind earthly powers and their rebellion.
• The Number of Stones: The listing of nine precious stones (sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, emerald, carbuncle) is significant. It differs from the twelve stones of the high priestly breastplate in Exodus 28. This specific set emphasizes intrinsic beauty and value without necessarily denoting the representation of the twelve tribes of Israel. It portrays an unmatched glory inherent to the created being itself.

Ezekiel 28 13 Commentary

Ezekiel 28:13 unveils a breathtaking portrait of a supremely glorious created being. The description of being "in Eden, the garden of God," clothed in "every precious stone" and gold, points to an original state of perfection and close proximity to God's sacred presence. The specific listing of nine jewels—reminiscent of the High Priest's breastplate—suggests not only unparalleled beauty and wealth but perhaps an intended holy office or sacral splendor, designed for divine glory.

The phrase "on the day you were created" definitively establishes this entity as a creature, initially without fault, originating from the hand of God in a state of utter flawlessness. While addressed to the human king of Tyre, the language surpasses any known human monarch or their earthly reign, strongly indicating a pre-Adamic, angelic figure, most commonly identified with Satan. This verse, particularly when read with Eze 28:14 ("anointed guardian cherub"), provides a foundational biblical glimpse into the splendor and privilege of this celestial being before pride led to its catastrophic fall, which is elaborated upon in subsequent verses of the chapter. It starkly contrasts original divine design with subsequent corruption by rebellion.