Ezekiel 28 5

Ezekiel 28:5 kjv

By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:

Ezekiel 28:5 nkjv

By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, And your heart is lifted up because of your riches),"

Ezekiel 28:5 niv

By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.

Ezekiel 28:5 esv

by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth ?

Ezekiel 28:5 nlt

Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich,
and your riches have made you very proud.

Ezekiel 28 verses

Ezekiel 28 5 Meaning

Ezekiel 28:5 asserts that the immense material prosperity and accumulation of riches by the King of Tyre were direct results of his extraordinary commercial intelligence, shrewd planning ("wisdom"), and extensive international mercantile operations ("trade"). However, this self-generated success did not foster humility or gratitude towards a higher power. Instead, the abundant wealth inflated his ego and fueled a deep-seated pride in his heart, leading him to believe in his own self-sufficiency and superior status.

Ezekiel 28 5 Context

Ezekiel 28 delivers a potent prophetic oracle against the Prince (or King) of Tyre, one of the wealthiest and most influential Phoenician city-states of its time. The chapter unfolds in two main sections, both condemning the Tyrian king's arrogant pride. Verses 1-10 focus on his blasphemous self-exaltation, directly asserting his belief in his own divinity due to his profound wisdom and material wealth (Ezek 28:2-5). He attributed his unparalleled prosperity, cunning, and fortified position solely to his own abilities. Verse 5 specifically identifies this "great wisdom" and "trade" as the engines of his accumulating "wealth," which then caused his "heart" to be "proud." The latter part of the chapter (Ezek 28:11-19) is a lament, describing the king's original state of perfection and glory, likened to the guardian cherub in Eden, followed by his tragic fall brought on by his inner corruption due to pride. Historically, Tyre was an island fortress, famed for its global maritime trade, purple dye, and master craftsmen, all contributing to its immense riches and fostering a deep sense of self-sufficiency in its rulers.

Ezekiel 28 5 Word analysis

• By your great wisdom (בְּרֹב חָכְמָתְךָ, b'rov chokhmatecha): "Great" (rov) denotes an abundance or extensive quantity, while "wisdom" (chokhmah) here signifies practical, earthly shrewdness and cleverness, not divine insight. It refers to the exceptional commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and skillful management that enabled Tyre's global trade empire. This "wisdom" was an instrumental means to gain material profit and worldly success, fundamentally human in its origin and application, often detached from spiritual discernment.
• and your trade (וּבִרְכֻלָּתְךָ, u'virkhullatecha): "Trade" (rekhullah) specifically points to an elaborate system of maritime commerce, extensive merchandising, and sophisticated traffic of goods. It embodies the vast networks of buying, selling, and distribution that were characteristic of Tyre's economic prowess, suggesting a highly organized and global enterprise.
• you have increased (הִרְבֵּיתָ, hirbeita): From the root רבה (rabah), meaning "to multiply," "to become great," or "to increase abundantly." It emphasizes the king's active role in generating, accumulating, and expanding his resources to a substantial degree, signifying exponential growth and prosperity beyond mere sustenance.
• your wealth (חֵילְךָ, cheilekha): "Wealth" (cheyl) can denote strength, military force, or resources, but in this context, it unequivocally refers to vast material riches, treasures, possessions, and accumulated assets gained through the King of Tyre's commercial ventures. It highlights the tangible result of his "wisdom" and "trade."
• and your heart (לִבֶּךָ, libbecha): "Heart" (lev) in Hebrew thought is not merely an organ, but the very center of one's being – the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral conscience. It represents the inner self, where intentions are formed and true character resides. The transformation of this core is critical.
• has become proud (רָם, ram): From the root רום (rum), meaning "to be high," "to be exalted," or "lifted up." When coupled with "heart," it signifies haughtiness, arrogance, and sinful self-exaltation. This is not a noble upliftment, but a spiritual posture of superiority, believing oneself independent and even equivalent to God.

• By your great wisdom and your trade: This phrase isolates the two primary human-centered instruments that the King of Tyre employed for his success. It underscores the belief that his achievements were entirely due to his own ingenious intellect and diligent labor, thereby establishing a foundation for self-reliance and eventual hubris, rather than acknowledging any divine hand in his prosperity.
• you have increased your wealth: This highlights the immediate, tangible consequence of Tyre's commercial and strategic superiority – a dramatic expansion of material possessions and financial power. It conveys the magnitude of his accumulated riches, presenting it as an undeniable testament to his effective, worldly methods.
• and your heart has become proud because of your wealth: This is the pivotal causal statement of the verse, connecting the accumulation of "wealth" directly to the spiritual corruption of the "heart." The material success, rather than inspiring humility or devotion, instead fueled a sinful self-aggrandizement. The explicit link ("because of your wealth") demonstrates how earthly prosperity, without a divine perspective, can lead to moral and spiritual downfall, creating an inner pride that presumes godlike status.

Ezekiel 28 5 Bonus section

The "wisdom" mentioned in Ezekiel 28:5 is clearly not the fear of the Lord (Prov 9:10), which is the beginning of true wisdom in biblical terms, but rather a sharp, earthly shrewdness for strategic and financial gain. This distinction is crucial, as the same Hebrew word chokhmah can be used for both. In this context, it emphasizes the practical, commercial intelligence for which Phoenicians were renowned, yet this worldly cleverness became a foundation for the King's destructive pride. The progression detailed here—from talent and effort, through great material success, to profound spiritual arrogance—serves as a archetypal warning across biblical narrative. It anticipates the pitfalls described by Jesus regarding the deceitfulness of riches (Matt 13:22) and aligns with the broader prophetic critique of nations that place their trust in their own strength and resources rather than in God (Is 2:7-8). This specific analysis of Tyre’s king, in its deeper resonance, touches upon a cosmic narrative of pride leading to a fall from a position of privilege, echoing themes found in other prophetic passages often linked to the spiritual forces behind earthly powers (Is 14, Rev 12).

Ezekiel 28 5 Commentary

Ezekiel 28:5 provides a profound insight into the human propensity for sin, particularly the insidious nature of pride fostered by prosperity. The King of Tyre, through extraordinary worldly "wisdom" – practical sagacity in trade, commerce, and strategy – amassed unprecedented "wealth" from his extensive "trade." However, instead of attributing these blessings to divine favor, his "heart" became "proud." This verse captures a fundamental spiritual truth: self-made success and material abundance, when severed from an acknowledgement of God's sovereignty, often cultivate an arrogant spirit. Such pride, where the human heart lifts itself up due to its accomplishments and possessions, blinds individuals to their dependence on a Creator and eventually leads to spiritual decay and judgment, illustrating the danger of wealth becoming a source of self-deification. A modern parallel might be an individual who, after achieving immense financial success through sharp business dealings, begins to view themselves as invincible, above reproach, and the sole arbiter of their own destiny, dismissing any need for divine guidance or humility.