Ezekiel 28 16

Ezekiel 28:16 kjv

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Ezekiel 28:16 nkjv

"By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.

Ezekiel 28:16 niv

Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.

Ezekiel 28:16 esv

In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Ezekiel 28:16 nlt

Your rich commerce led you to violence,
and you sinned.
So I banished you in disgrace
from the mountain of God.
I expelled you, O mighty guardian,
from your place among the stones of fire.

Ezekiel 28 verses

Ezekiel 28 16 Meaning

In Ezekiel 28:16, "through the greatness of your trade" signifies that the king of Tyre's vast commerce and accumulated wealth were the means by which his iniquity, violence, and unrighteousness became pervasive and overwhelming. His prosperity, rather than leading to humility or gratitude towards God, fueled his pride and led to his moral downfall.

Ezekiel 28 16 Context

Ezekiel 28 is a prophetic oracle directed at the king of Tyre. Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city-state renowned for its extensive maritime trade, wealth, and influence. The prophecy describes the king's luxurious lifestyle and his deep pride, stemming from his city's economic power and his perceived divine status. The chapter begins with a lament over the king's fall and then transitions to describing him as a cherub in Eden, emphasizing his initial perfection before his corruption. The focus of verse 16 is on how his exceptional trade and the wealth derived from it became the very foundation for his rampant sin and violence, leading to God's judgment.

Ezekiel 28 16 Word Analysis

• וּבְרֹב (u'vrôv):
  • וּ (u'): "and" (conjunction).
  • בְּ (bə): "in" or "with" (preposition).
  • רֹב (rôv): "greatness," "multitude," "abundance."
  • Analysis: "and in the abundance" or "and through the multitude." This phrase sets up the cause or extent of what follows.
• סַחְרֵךְ (sachreḵ):
  • סַחַר (sachar): "trade," "traffic," "commerce," "merchandise."
  • ־ֵךְ (ḵ): "your" (suffix).
  • Analysis: "your trade" or "your commerce." This points to the economic activities and dealings of Tyre.
• מִלּאת (milleʼt):
  • מָלָא (malaʼ): "to be full," "to be filled."
  • ־ת (t): A feminine suffix, often indicating state or abstract noun. Here, it conveys "fullness" or the state of being filled.
  • Analysis: "you were filled with." It signifies that his trade brought an abundance that pervaded him.
• עֹשֶׁק (ʿosheq):
  • עָשַׁק (ʿasháq): "to oppress," "to wrong," "to defraud," "to rob."
  • Analysis: "oppression," "violence," "robbery." This denotes unjust acts and forceful acquisition.
• וַתֶּחֱטָא (vat techəṭaʼ):
  • וַ (va): "and" (consecutive imperfect).
  • תֶּחֱטָא (techəṭaʼ): "you sinned" (verb Qal, 2nd person masculine singular imperfect from חָטָא - chaṭaʼ, to sin).
  • Analysis: "and you sinned." This marks the consequence of being filled with oppression.
• וָאֶחְרָצְךָ (vaʼ achrōtzəḵa):
  • וָ (va): "and" (consecutive imperfect).
  • אַחְרֵץ (achrōtz): From חָרַץ (charatz) meaning "to condemn," "to cut off," "to decide," "to judge." This usage suggests condemnation or judgment.
  • ־ךָ (ḵa): "you" (suffix).
  • Analysis: "and I will cut you off," or "and I will condemn you." This is the divine sentence passed upon him.
• לְנִדּוּי (lənyddôy):
  • לְ (lə): "to," "for," "as."
  • נִדּוּי (nyddôy): "rejection," "outcast," "banishment." Derived from נָדַד (nadad), "to wander," "to flee."
  • Analysis: "to destruction" or "to exile/outcast status." The result of God's judgment.
• וָאֶשְׁלִכְךָ (vaʼ eshlichəḵa):
  • וָ (va): "and" (consecutive imperfect).
  • אֶשְׁלִךְ (eshlich): "I will throw," "I will cast" (verb Hiphil, 1st person singular imperfect from שָׁלַךְ - shalach, to send, cast).
  • ־ךָ (ḵa): "you" (suffix).
  • Analysis: "and I will cast you down." An act of forceful removal and degradation.
• וּמְחַלְלִים (u'mechallilim):
  • וּ (u'): "and" (conjunction).
  • מְחַלְלִים (mechallilim): "defilers," "profaners," "those who treat with contempt." Present participle, masculine plural from חָלַל (chalal), meaning "to desecrate," "to profane," "to violate."
  • Analysis: "and the profane," or "and those who defile." This indicates how he would be regarded by others, or the state of things related to him.
• אֶת־הֲדָרִי (ʼet-hadā rî):
  • אֶת (ʼet): Direct object marker.
  • הֲדַר (hadar): "glory," "majesty," "splendor," "beauty," "honor."
  • ־ִי (î): "my" (suffix).
  • Analysis: "my glory." Refers to God's glory or honor.

Ezekiel 28 16 Bonus Section

The concept of trade and wealth being intertwined with judgment is a recurring theme in prophetic literature. Scholars often interpret the king of Tyre as a representation not only of the historical ruler but also, typologically, of Satan. His pride, perceived perfection (cherub in Eden), and ultimate fall resonate with Satan's rebellion against God. The "greatness of your trade" in this symbolic sense could allude to Satan's widespread influence and deceitful allure in the world. The idea of "profaning my holy things" points to a disregard and desecration of sacredness, often associated with spiritual entities that oppose God. The judgment signifies his removal from a position of prominence and his exposure as impure.

Ezekiel 28 16 Commentary

The king of Tyre's downfall was intrinsically linked to his prosperous trade. His economic success bred arrogance and a sense of self-sufficiency, leading him to exploit others and engage in violent practices. This "greatness of his trade" paradoxically became the source of his corruption and the catalyst for God's judgment. The verse illustrates the biblical principle that unchecked wealth and the power it brings can lead to spiritual decay and moral compromise, resulting in divine condemnation and disgrace. His sin wasn't just a personal failing but an offense against God's glory and divine order.