Ezekiel 26:2 - “Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, ‘Aha! She is broken! She who was the gateway of the peoples has been returned to me. I will be replenished, now that she is laid waste;’

Generated Verse: Ezekiel 26:2

What does "Ezekiel 26:2" mean?


This verse from Ezekiel 26:2 expresses Tyre's gloating over the downfall of Jerusalem and outlines their selfish motivations for rejoicing. Let's break it down:

“Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, ‘Aha! She is broken!’” This establishes the context: the prophet Ezekiel is tasked by God to speak against Tyre due to their malicious sentiments towards Jerusalem. "Aha!" is an exclamation of delight, indicating Tyre's joy at Jerusalem's destruction.

“She who was the gateway of the peoples has been returned to me.” This is the core of Tyre's reasoning. Jerusalem, as a major city, served as a significant trade hub, the "gateway of the peoples." Tyre sees Jerusalem's fall as an opportunity. They believe that with Jerusalem out of the way, they will now inherit that role and the associated economic benefits.

“I will be replenished, now that she is laid waste.” This makes Tyre's self-serving motives crystal clear. They see Jerusalem's destruction as a chance for them to grow in wealth and power. Tyre believes that the commerce that once flowed through Jerusalem will now flow through Tyre, leading to their own prosperity. They are essentially benefiting from Jerusalem's misfortune.

In summary, this verse reveals Tyre's:

Malice: Their gleeful reaction to Jerusalem's destruction.
Economic Motives: Their desire to capitalize on Jerusalem's downfall and become the dominant trade center.
Selfishness: Their complete disregard for Jerusalem's suffering and their focus solely on their own gain.

This verse is important because it sets the stage for God's judgment against Tyre, which follows in the subsequent verses of Ezekiel 26 and beyond. Tyre's arrogance and exploitation of Jerusalem's tragedy are seen as an affront to God's justice.