Eze 28:2-9 | NETfull | STEP | “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: “‘Your heart is proud and you said, “I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods, in the heart of the seas” – yet you are a man and not a god, though you think you are godlike.

Ezekiel 28:2-9

2 “Son of man, say to the prince ^{▼▼ Or “ruler” (NIV, NCV).} of Tyre, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says:

“‘Your heart is proud ^{▼▼ Heb “lifted up.”} ^{▼▼ See Prov 16:5.} and you said, “I am a god; ^{▼▼ Or “I am divine.”}
I sit in the seat of gods, in the heart of the seas” –
yet you are a man and not a god,
though you think you are godlike. ^{▼▼ Heb “and you made your heart (mind) like the heart (mind) of gods.”}
3 Look, you are wiser than Daniel; ^{▼▼ Or perhaps “Danel” (so TEV), referring to a ruler known from Canaanite legend. See the note on “Daniel” in 14:14. A reference to Danel (preserved in legend at Ugarit, near the northern end of the Phoenician coast) makes more sense here when addressing Tyre than in 14:14.}
no secret is hidden from you. ^{▼▼ The tone here is sarcastic, reflecting the ruler’s view of himself.}
4 By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself;
you have amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.
5 By your great skill ^{▼▼ Or “wisdom.”} in trade you have increased your wealth,
and your heart is proud because of your wealth.
6 “‘Therefore this is what the sovereign Lord says:
Because you think you are godlike, ^{▼▼ Heb “because of your making your heart like the heart of gods.”}
7 I am about to bring foreigners ^{▼▼ This is probably a reference to the Babylonians.} against you, the most terrifying of nations.
They will draw their swords against the grandeur made by your wisdom, ^{▼▼ Heb “they will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom.”}
and they will defile your splendor.
8 They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die violently ^{▼▼ Heb “you will die the death of the slain.”} in the heart of the seas.
9 Will you still say, “I am a god,” before the one who kills you –
though you are a man and not a god –
when you are in the power of those who wound you?