Ezekiel 28 Study Notes
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28:1-2 This ruler of Tyre may be identified as Ithobaal II, whose name meant “Baal is with him,” or Ethbaal III. Possibly the language was kept vague so that the condemnation could aptly describe any Tyrian king. Like the inhabitants of Tyre, the ruler of this city was guilty of pride (27:1-9; Pr 6:17-8:13; 16:18).
28:3-5 The fame of the prophet Daniel had spread in the exile, even beyond the bounds of his own people (14:14,20; Dn 1:20; 2:48; 4:18-27; 5:11-12; 6:3). Daniel’s character was just the opposite of the pride and self-sufficiency of the king of Tyre.
28:6-10 Tyre would be brought down to the pit because of the ruler’s arrogance.
28:10 In his disgraceful death, the king of Tyre will join the ranks of the uncircumcised. Since Phoenicians as well as most other ancient Near Eastern males practiced circumcision, Ezekiel’s use of the term must be figurative. The point is that the king will be assigned to the most undesirable compartment of the netherworld, along with other degraded and unclean persons (31:18; 32:17-32).
28:11-13 The prideful king of Tyre is compared either to a guardian angel at the “mountain of God” (v. 14) or to errant Adam in the garden of Eden. Nine of the twelve precious gemstones listed here were included on the high priest’s breastpiece (Ex 28:15-20; 39:10-13).
28:14 Though the context is an oracle against the king of Tyre, many believe that this anointed . . . cherub should ultimately be identified as Satan himself. In that case the passage would have double reference. As an angel, Satan had continuous and unhindered access to the glorious presence of God before he rebelled.
28:15-16 These verses would fit an angel of God.
28:17 The primary fault of the Tyrian king was greed. This may explain why there are numerous allusions to the garden of Eden in the account. As Adam and Eve attempted to obtain equality with God (Gn 3:5), so also did the king of Tyre (Ac 12:20-23). Also, the description is similar to that which is given for the serpent in Rv 12:9.
gavah
| Hebrew pronunciation | [gah VAH] |
| CSB translation | be high, be proud, make tall |
| Uses in Ezekiel | 10 |
| Uses in the OT | 34 |
| Focus passage | Ezekiel 28:2,5,17 |
Gavah means be high (Ps 103:11). Trees tower, being great in height (Ezk 19:11; 31:5). Comparatively, gabah denotes stand taller (1Sm 10:23) or be higher (Is 55:9). Gavah describes character, negatively signifying be haughty (Is 3:16) or proud (Jr 13:15). People grow arrogant (2Ch 26:16). Gavah positively is rejoice (2Ch 17:6) or be exalted (Is 5:16). The causative is make tall (Ezk 17:24). People build high (Pr 17:19), exalt (Ezk 21:26), heighten (2Ch 33:14), or elevate (Jr 49:16) things. Birds soar (Ob 4). Gavoah (41x) is high (Gn 7:19), tall, lofty, or long. And it is haughty (Is 5:15), proud, or exalted. Govah (17x) is height (Ezk 19:11) or raised platform (Ezk 41:8), appearing as high, tall, or large (Ezk 1:18). It is pride (2Ch 32:26), arrogance (Ps 10:4), or insolence (Jr 48:29), but also majesty (Jb 40:10). Gavhut is pride (Is 2:11,17).
28:18-19 These verses have the king clearly in view. Verse 19 repeats 27:36.
28:20-21 Sidon was another key Phoenician port city. It was located twenty-five miles north of Tyre. Sidon and Tyre often are mentioned together (Jr 27:3; 47:4; Jl 3:4). During times when Tyre was in decline, Sidon would increase in prominence. In the Persian period, Sidon stood at the head of the Phoenician cities.
28:22-23 As in the account of the exodus, God will gain glory from the execution of judgment on the enemies of his people (Ex 14:4,17-18).
28:24 The insults of the nations are compared to prickly briers and painful thorns. See Nm 33:55.
28:25 The gathering of God’s people is a common theme in Ezekiel and later biblical books (11:17; 20:34,41-42; 29:13; 34:13; 36:24; 37:21; 38:8; 39:27; Neh 1:9; Zch 10:8,10). Another common theme in Ezekiel is the demonstration of God’s holiness (vv. 22,25; 20:41; 36:23; 38:16; 39:27).
28:26 Once the nations that treated Israel with contempt are destroyed, the exiles will return to the land of Israel (Gn 12; 28; 35) and rebuild their community. Then they will exhibit God’s holiness in the world. For other oracles against Tyre and Phoenicia, see Is 23:1-18; Am 1:9-10.