Introduction

† Ezekiel 26 speaks directly to the judgment of Tyre, a proud coastal city that rejoiced when Jerusalem fell. God doesn't overlook that kind of heart. When His covenant people were judged, Tyre saw opportunity instead of warning. This chapter shows that God judges not only His own people, but also the nations that rise up in pride and take advantage of His judgment.

† This prophecy was spoken before the fall of Jerusalem, yet it looks ahead to the fall of Tyre through multiple waves of judgment. From the fulfilled perspective, we see how God used historical powers, especially Babylon and later forces, to bring this prophecy to pass.

† This chapter also lines up with the larger pattern of covenant judgment, where those who opposed God's people were themselves brought down, leading ultimately to the full judgment seen in AD 70.

Ezekiel 26:1
Now in the eleventh year, on the first of the month, the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

† This places the prophecy right before the fall of Jerusalem, showing God was already addressing the nations watching and reacting to Israel's judgment (Ezekiel 26:1)

† God doesn't just deal with Israel, He addresses every nation that interacts with His covenant people (Amos 1:3-2:3)

† This shows divine timing, nothing is random, God speaks before judgment unfolds (Isaiah 46:10)

Ezekiel 26:2
Son of man, because Tyre has said concerning Jerusalem, Aha, the gateway of the peoples is broken, it has opened to me. I will be filled, now that she is laid waste,

† Tyre rejoiced over Jerusalem's fall, seeing it as economic gain, not tragedy (Ezekiel 26:2)

† This reveals a heart of pride and greed, valuing profit over righteousness (Proverbs 17:5)

† God judges not only actions, but motives and attitudes (Jeremiah 17:10)

Ezekiel 26:3
therefore this is what the Lord God says: Behold, I am against you, Tyre, and I will bring up many nations against you, just as the sea brings up its waves.

† God declares direct opposition, I am against you, showing divine judgment is personal (Ezekiel 26:3)

† The imagery of waves shows repeated invasions, not just one event (Daniel 2:21)

† This was fulfilled through successive powers, beginning with Babylon and continuing afterward (Jeremiah 27:6)

Ezekiel 26:4
They will destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers, and I will scrape her debris from her and make her a bare rock.

† This shows total devastation, not partial judgment (Ezekiel 26:4)

† The phrase bare rock shows complete removal of former glory (Isaiah 23:1)

† This was fulfilled historically as Tyre was reduced and rebuilt differently over time

Ezekiel 26:5
She will be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea, for I have spoken, declares the Lord God, and she will become plunder for the nations.

† The city once known for trade becomes a place for fishermen, showing complete reversal (Ezekiel 26:5)

† God's word guarantees fulfillment, for I have spoken (Numbers 23:19)

† This demonstrates that no nation, no matter how wealthy, escapes judgment (Psalm 49:6-12)

Ezekiel 26:7
For this is what the Lord God says: Behold, I am bringing upon Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses, chariots, cavalry, and a great army.

† God specifically names Nebuchadnezzar, showing this isn't vague prophecy (Ezekiel 26:7)

† Babylon was God's instrument, even though it was a pagan empire (Jeremiah 25:9)

† This shows God uses nations to accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 10:5)

Ezekiel 26:10-11
Because of the multitude of his horses, the dust raised by them will cover you; your walls will shake at the noise of cavalry and wagons and chariots, when he enters your gates as men enter a city that has been breached. With the hoofs of his horses he will trample all your streets; he will kill your people with the sword, and your strong pillars will come down to the ground.

† This describes a full military invasion, overwhelming and unstoppable (Ezekiel 26:10-11)

† The imagery shows total domination, not a minor defeat (Nahum 3:13)

† This mirrors how Jerusalem was also overtaken, showing consistent judgment patterns (Luke 19:43-44)

Ezekiel 26:14
I will make you a bare rock; you will be a place for the spreading of nets. You will not be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken, declares the Lord God.

† This emphasizes finality, you will not be rebuilt in its former glory (Ezekiel 26:14)

† God's authority stands behind the prophecy, I the Lord have spoken (Isaiah 55:11)

† Tyre's power would never return to what it once was, showing irreversible judgment (Ezekiel 27:36)

Ezekiel 26:19-21
For this is what the Lord God says: When I make you a desolate city, like cities that are not inhabited, when I bring up the deep over you and the great waters cover you, then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of old, and I will make you dwell in the lower parts of the earth, like the ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, so that you will not be inhabited; but I will set glory in the land of the living. I will bring terrors on you and you will be no more; though you may be sought, you will never be found again, declares the Lord God.

† This language points beyond physical destruction to covenantal removal from significance (Ezekiel 26:19-21)

† Being brought down to the pit reflects complete downfall and loss of identity (Isaiah 14:15)

† This mirrors the final judgment language used later for Jerusalem in AD 70 (Matthew 23:38)

Historical References

† Josephus records the campaigns of Nebuchadnezzar and the weakening of Tyre, confirming the historical fulfillment

† Eusebius notes the long-term decline of Tyre's prominence after repeated invasions

† Tacitus confirms Tyre's fall through multiple waves, aligning with the waves imagery in the prophecy

How it applies to us today

† God sees how people respond to the downfall of others, and He judges pride and opportunism (Proverbs 24:17-18)

† Wealth and influence don't protect anyone from God's judgment (James 5:1-3)

† God is sovereign over nations, raising and bringing down according to His purpose (Daniel 4:17)

† We need to examine our hearts, are we grieving over sin, or benefiting from it (Ezekiel 18:30-32)

† This reminds us that fulfillment is real, God did exactly what He said, and that gives us confidence in everything else He has fulfilled (Matthew 5:18)

Q and A Appendix

Q When was Ezekiel 26 fulfilled?
A It began with Nebuchadnezzar's siege around 586 BC and continued through successive invasions, ultimately fulfilling the prophecy over time (Ezekiel 26:7, Daniel 2:21)

Q Why did God judge Tyre?
A Because they rejoiced over Jerusalem's fall and acted in pride and greed (Ezekiel 26:2, Proverbs 17:5)

Q What does the waves imagery mean?
A It represents multiple nations coming in succession against Tyre (Ezekiel 26:3, Jeremiah 25:9)

Q Did Tyre completely disappear?
A Its former power and identity were destroyed, even though the location remained inhabited in different forms (Ezekiel 26:14, Isaiah 23:1)

Q How does this connect to AD 70?
A It shows the same pattern of covenant judgment, where nations opposing God's purposes are brought down, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:38, Luke 21:20-22)

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index

† Ezekiel 26

† Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews; Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History; Tacitus, Histories