Ezekiel 26:4
Ezekiel 26:4 in Multiple Translations
They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and make her a bare rock.
And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her a bare rock.
And they will give the walls of Tyre to destruction and have its towers broken: and I will take even her dust away from her, and make her an uncovered rock
They will destroy the walls of Tyre and tear down her towers. I will scrape off the soil that's on her and turn her into a bare rock.
And they shall destroy the walles of Tyrus and breake downe her towres: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rocke.
And they have destroyed the walls of Tyre, And they have broken down her towers, And I have scraped her dust from her, And made her for a clear place of a rock.
They will destroy the walls of Tyre, and break down her towers. I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her a bare rock.
And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
And they shall break down the walls of Tyre, and destroy the towers thereof: and I will scrape her dust from her, and make her like a smooth rock.
Their soldiers will destroy the walls around Tyre and tear down its towers. Tyre will become a place where people from many nations steal valuable things, and then the city will be completely destroyed. Then they will scrape away the rubble and cause the city to become a bare rock.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 26:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 26:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/שִׁחֲת֞וּ
חֹמ֣וֹת
צֹ֗ר
וְ/הָֽרְסוּ֙
מִגְדָּלֶ֔י/הָ
וְ/סִֽחֵיתִ֥י
עֲפָרָ֖/הּ
מִמֶּ֑/נָּה
וְ/נָתַתִּ֥י
אוֹתָ֖/הּ
לִ/צְחִ֥יחַ
סָֽלַע
וְ/שִׁחֲת֞וּ
shâchath
H7843
to ruin
Conj | V-Piel-3cp
חֹמ֣וֹת
chôwmâh
H2346
wall
N-fp
צֹ֗ר
Tsôr
H6865
Tyre
N-proper
וְ/הָֽרְסוּ֙
hâraç
H2040
to overthrow
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
מִגְדָּלֶ֔י/הָ
migdâl
H4026
tower
N-cp | Suff
וְ/סִֽחֵיתִ֥י
çâchâh
H5500
to scrape
Conj | V-Piel-1cs
עֲפָרָ֖/הּ
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
N-ms | Suff
מִמֶּ֑/נָּה
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
וְ/נָתַתִּ֥י
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
אוֹתָ֖/הּ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
לִ/צְחִ֥יחַ
tsᵉchîyach
H6706
bare
Prep | N-ms
סָֽלַע
çelaʻ
H5553
crag
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 26:4
וְ/שִׁחֲת֞וּ
shâchath
H7843
"to ruin"
Conj | V-Piel-3cp
This verb means to ruin or destroy something, and it is used in various forms throughout the Bible to describe corruption and decay.
Definition: 1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay 1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spoil, ruin 1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy 1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally) 1c3) destroyer (participle) 1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle) Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)
Usage: Occurs in 136 OT verses. KJV: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r). See also: Genesis 6:11; Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:2.
חֹמ֣וֹת
chôwmâh
H2346
"wall"
N-fp
A wall of protection, like the walls of Jerusalem, provided safety and security for the people. It appears in the Bible as a physical barrier. The Israelites built walls around their cities for defense.
Definition: wall
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: wall, walled. See also: Exodus 14:22; Nehemiah 6:15; Psalms 51:20.
צֹ֗ר
Tsôr
H6865
"Tyre"
N-proper
Tyre refers to a city on the Mediterranean coast, mentioned in the Bible as a major Phoenician city, translated as Tyre or Tyrus, meaning a rock. It appears in books like Matthew and Acts. The city was an important trade center.
Definition: § Tyre or Tyrus = "a rock" the Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Tyre, Tyrus. See also: Joshua 19:29; Jeremiah 27:3; Psalms 45:13.
וְ/הָֽרְסוּ֙
hâraç
H2040
"to overthrow"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
This Hebrew word means to overthrow or destroy something, like breaking down a wall or throwing something to the ground. It is used to describe God's power and judgment.
Definition: 1) to tear down, break down, overthrow, beat down, break, break through, destroy, pluck down, pull down, throw down, ruined, destroyer, utterly 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to throw down, tear down 1a2) to break through 1a3) to break down, break away 1b) (Niphal) to be torn down, be thrown down 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to overthrow, tear down 1c2) destroyer (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: beat down, break (down, through), destroy, overthrow, pluck down, pull down, ruin, throw down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Exodus 15:7; Isaiah 49:17; Psalms 11:3.
מִגְדָּלֶ֔י/הָ
migdâl
H4026
"tower"
N-cp | Suff
Migdal means tower, referring to a tall structure or elevated stage. It can also symbolize a bed of flowers in the Bible.
Definition: 1) tower 1a) tower 1b) elevated stage, pulpit 1c) raised bed
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following. See also: Genesis 11:4; Nehemiah 3:26; Psalms 48:13.
וְ/סִֽחֵיתִ֥י
çâchâh
H5500
"to scrape"
Conj | V-Piel-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to scrape or sweep something away, like dirt or debris. It is used to describe cleaning or removing something unwanted. This word appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to scrape 1a) (Piel) to scrape clean, scour
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: scrape. See also: Ezekiel 26:4.
עֲפָרָ֖/הּ
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
N-ms | Suff
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
מִמֶּ֑/נָּה
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
וְ/נָתַתִּ֥י
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אוֹתָ֖/הּ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
לִ/צְחִ֥יחַ
tsᵉchîyach
H6706
"bare"
Prep | N-ms
This word means exposed to the sun or bare, like a tree without leaves. It can also mean a higher place or a shining surface, often used to describe mountains or hills in the Bible.
Definition: shining or glaring surface, glow Also means: tse.chi.chi (צְחִיחִי "higher" H6708)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: higher place, top. See also: Nehemiah 4:7; Ezekiel 24:8; Ezekiel 26:14.
סָֽלַע
çelaʻ
H5553
"crag"
N-ms
This word means a craggy rock or cliff, a strong and secure place, like the rock of salvation in Psalm 71:3.
Definition: 1) crag, cliff, rock 1a) crag, cliff 1b) as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: (ragged) rock, stone(-ny), strong hold. See also: Numbers 20:8; Psalms 71:3; Psalms 18:3.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 26:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 26:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 26:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 26:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 26:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
- Sermons on Ezekiel 26:4
Context — A Prophecy against Tyre
2“Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, ‘Aha! The gate to the nations is broken; it has swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will be filled,’
3therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, O Tyre, I am against you, and I will raise up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.
4They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and make her a bare rock.
5She will become a place to spread nets in the sea, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. She will become plunder for the nations, 6and the villages on her mainland will be slain by the sword. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 23:11 | The LORD has stretched out His hand over the sea; He has made kingdoms tremble. He has given a command that the strongholds of Canaan be destroyed. |
| 2 | Amos 1:10 | So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre to consume its citadels.” |
| 3 | Ezekiel 26:9 | He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and tear down your towers with his axes. |
| 4 | Zechariah 9:3 | Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 24:7–8 | For the blood she shed is still within her; she poured it out on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have placed her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.’ |
| 6 | Ezekiel 26:12 | They will plunder your wealth and pillage your merchandise. They will demolish your walls, tear down your beautiful homes, and throw your stones and timber and soil into the water. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 5:10 | Go up through her vineyards and ravage them, but do not finish them off. Strip off her branches, for they do not belong to the LORD. |
| 8 | Leviticus 14:41–45 | And he shall have the inside of the house scraped completely and the plaster that is scraped off dumped into an unclean place outside the city. So different stones must be obtained to replace the contaminated ones, as well as additional mortar to replaster the house. If the mildew reappears in the house after the stones have been torn out and the house has been scraped and replastered, the priest must come and inspect it. If the mildew has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew; the house is unclean. It must be torn down with its stones, its timbers, and all its plaster, and taken outside the city to an unclean place. |
Ezekiel 26:4 Summary
In Ezekiel 26:4, God promises to destroy the city of Tyre, scraping away its soil and leaving it a bare rock, which is a powerful reminder of God's authority and judgment, as seen in (Psalm 9:17). This verse teaches us that God will not tolerate pride and arrogance, and that He is sovereign over all nations, as declared in (Jeremiah 27:5). Just like Tyre, we can face devastation and desolation if we oppose God, but if we humble ourselves and submit to His will, we can experience His mercy and grace, as seen in (1 Peter 5:6-7). By trusting in God's sovereignty and judgment, we can find peace and comfort in the midst of uncertain circumstances, as seen in (Romans 11:33-36).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Tyre in Ezekiel 26:4?
Tyre was a major city and trade center in the ancient world, and its destruction is a symbol of God's judgment on pride and arrogance, as seen in Ezekiel 26:4 and also in Isaiah 23:1-18, which prophesies the fall of Tyre.
Why does God promise to scrape the soil from Tyre and make her a bare rock?
This is a picture of complete devastation and desolation, leaving the city barren and uninhabitable, much like the desolation of Babylon in Isaiah 13:19-22, and a reminder of God's power and authority over all nations, as declared in Jeremiah 27:5.
How does this verse relate to the rest of Ezekiel 26?
Ezekiel 26:4 is part of a larger prophecy against Tyre, which includes the gathering of many nations against the city, as seen in Ezekiel 26:3, and the eventual plundering of the city, as stated in Ezekiel 26:5, all of which serves to demonstrate God's sovereignty and judgment, as declared in Ezekiel 25:17.
What can we learn from Tyre's destruction in this verse?
We can learn that God is a God of justice and will not tolerate pride and arrogance, as seen in Proverbs 16:18, and that He is sovereign over all nations and will bring judgment on those who oppose Him, as declared in Daniel 4:25 and Psalm 9:17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be exhibiting pride or arrogance in my own life, and how can I humble myself before God?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and judgment, even when I don't understand the circumstances around me, as seen in Ezekiel 26:4 and Romans 11:33-36?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to recognize God's authority and submit to His will, as declared in Ezekiel 26:4 and Matthew 16:24-26?
- How can I use this verse as a reminder to pray for those who are opposed to God and His people, as seen in Ezekiel 26:4 and Psalm 2:10-12?
- What are some ways in which I can demonstrate humility and a willingness to learn from God's Word, as seen in Ezekiel 26:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 26:4
And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus.... Undermining them, or breaking them down with their battering rams: and break down her towers; with axes, Ezekiel 26:9 built upon the walls; erected for
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 26:4
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
Destroy; batter and demolish with their mighty engines, which shall shake, disjoint, and beat down the strongest parts of their walls. Break down; undermine, that they may tumble at once, or employ hands to take them down, as men pull down buildings. Towers; watch-towers, and those that were for defence and safety of their city, which from their greatness have their name, Migdol. I will also scrape her dust from her; I will leave thee nothing, thou shalt be scraped, and brushed, and swept, that not so much as dust shall remain to thee. And make her like the top of a rock; as bare as was the rock on which thy city is built before wealth, beauty, buildings, and strength was brought to it by man’ s industry.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
Ezekiel 26:4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.Ver. 4. And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus.] Which thou holdest to be inexpugnable. Hence this and the two following chapters, purposely to undeceive thee, if it may be. I will also scrape her dust from her.] Brought from other places, to make her gardens; for she was built upon a rock, et in petram glabram: to a naked rock will God now reduce her.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
(4) Her dust.—Comp. Ezekiel 26:12. The dust is that of her ruined walls and palaces and temples. “Scraping” expresses their utter destruction. As an historic fact, the ruins of the ancient city have all been thrown into the sea, and what now remains is of mediaeval construction, although the greater part of even the mediaeval ruins have been carried away.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
Verse 4. I will also scrape her dust from her] I will totally destroy her fortifications, and leave her nothing but a barren rock, as she was before. This cannot refer to the capture of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. It flourished long after his time.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 26:4
4. like the top of a rock] like a naked rock, ch. Ezekiel 24:7. Tyre stood upon a small island of rock separated from the mainland by a narrow strait. She shall be swept from her place, and her dust scraped into the sea, leaving her island site a bare rock, cf. Ezekiel 26:12.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 26:4
4. Top of a rock — Or, naked rock. (See Ezekiel 24:7-8.)
Sermons on Ezekiel 26:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Jeremiah the Weeping Prophet by Philip Powell | In this sermon, the preacher discusses how Jeremiah was supernaturally equipped and commissioned by God to carry out his mission. Jeremiah was sent to root out, pull down, destroy, |