Eze 26:18 | KingComments | STEP | The third prophecy of the LORD deals with the reactions of the trading partners to the fall of Tyre ( ). The coastlands, that is, the islands in and the countries around the Mediterranean with which Tyre trades, will react with dismay to the news of the slaughter wrought in Tyre. The princes of the coastlands will mourn deeply ( ). It does make clear the extent of Tyre’s influence as a trading partner. These coastlands owe their prosperity to Tyre, and now they suddenly see that prosperity disappear. They will express their selfish grief by singing a lamentation over Tyre ( ). In the song, they first give high praise of Tyre’s past fame, power, and wealth in order to make the contrast with the current situation all the stronger. The city that has disappeared from the everyday picture of the seas is famous. Many people have lived there. Its wealth has been its strength. Everyone in the area has been in awe of her. How totally different the situation is now ( ). The contrast with the past is enormous. The fall and ruin of the city have a shock effect on the coastlands. The sight is desolate. In similar terms, the New Testament describes the fall of Babylon ( ). In the fourth and final prophecy, God tells us that He Himself determined the fate of Tyre ( ). The nations ( ) and Nebuchadnezzar ( ) are merely instruments in His hand. God will cover Tyre with water as through a flood and submerge the city under the flood. The waters which she sails with her proud ships, and which are the source of her wealth and prosperity, will become her ruin. God will add Tyre to the people and nations who have long been dead and whose bodies are buried in the pit ( ). They no longer play any role in the land of the living. Their souls “dwell in the lower parts of the earth”, the realm of the dead, in Hebrew sheol or in Greek hades , where they are united with all who have died in unbelief. Tyre will be utterly destroyed ( ). The city will not recover from that destruction. Tyre will only live on in memory as a terrifying example. The time will never come when the city will again become a factor of importance in world society. Those who seek to rebuild and restore Tyre will not find any starting point for that. There will be nothing left of Tyre to be found. Thus “declares the Lord GOD”.

‏ Ezekiel 26:18

Reaction to the Fall of Tyre

The third prophecy of the LORD deals with the reactions of the trading partners to the fall of Tyre (Eze 26:15). The coastlands, that is, the islands in and the countries around the Mediterranean with which Tyre trades, will react with dismay to the news of the slaughter wrought in Tyre. The princes of the coastlands will mourn deeply (Eze 26:16). It does make clear the extent of Tyre’s influence as a trading partner. These coastlands owe their prosperity to Tyre, and now they suddenly see that prosperity disappear.

They will express their selfish grief by singing a lamentation over Tyre (Eze 26:17). In the song, they first give high praise of Tyre’s past fame, power, and wealth in order to make the contrast with the current situation all the stronger. The city that has disappeared from the everyday picture of the seas is famous. Many people have lived there. Its wealth has been its strength. Everyone in the area has been in awe of her. How totally different the situation is now (Eze 26:18). The contrast with the past is enormous. The fall and ruin of the city have a shock effect on the coastlands. The sight is desolate. In similar terms, the New Testament describes the fall of Babylon (Rev 18:15-19).

In the fourth and final prophecy, God tells us that He Himself determined the fate of Tyre (Eze 26:19). The nations (Eze 26:3) and Nebuchadnezzar (Eze 26:7) are merely instruments in His hand. God will cover Tyre with water as through a flood and submerge the city under the flood. The waters which she sails with her proud ships, and which are the source of her wealth and prosperity, will become her ruin. God will add Tyre to the people and nations who have long been dead and whose bodies are buried in the pit (Eze 26:20). They no longer play any role in the land of the living. Their souls “dwell in the lower parts of the earth”, the realm of the dead, in Hebrew sheol or in Greek hades, where they are united with all who have died in unbelief.

Tyre will be utterly destroyed (Eze 26:21). The city will not recover from that destruction. Tyre will only live on in memory as a terrifying example. The time will never come when the city will again become a factor of importance in world society. Those who seek to rebuild and restore Tyre will not find any starting point for that. There will be nothing left of Tyre to be found. Thus “declares the Lord GOD”.