The effect of the Chaldean invasion was to bring the king down to the nether world of the dead. In the use of the plural "deaths" we have a parallel to the "plurima morris imago" of Virgil (' AE neid,' 2.369). And this death was not to be like that of a hero-warrior, but as that of those who are slain in the midst of the seas , who fall, i.e; in a naval battle, and are cast into the waters. Would he then repeat his boast, I am God? read more
The climax comes in the strongest language of Hebrew scorn. As the uncircumcised were to the Israelite ( 1 Samuel 17:36 ; 1 Samuel 31:4 ), so should the King of Tyro, unhonored, unwept, with no outward marks of reverence, be among the great cues of the past who dwell in Hades. Ezekiel returns to the phrase in Ezekiel 31:18 ; Ezekiel 32:24 . The words receive a special force from the fact that the Phoenicians practiced circumcision before their intercourse with the Greeks (Herod;... read more
The glory and shame of Eden reproduced. There is no reason why we should not regard the biblical narrative of Adam's trial and fall as fact and as allegory also. There is no real discrepancy between these two principles of interpretation. We are bound to accept it as a narrative of historical fact. Yet it is also an outline picture of every man's history. In each man's case there is the Edenic period of innocence, there is the crisis of first temptation, there is the fall, and then the... read more
The insufficiency of circumstance, etc. However we may interpret this imaginative passage (see Exposition), there are certain truths which are not only clear, but even brilliant to our sight as we regard it. I. THE INSUFFICIENCY OF FAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCE . The Prince of Tyro was under such fortunate and enviable conditions that he is drawn by the prophet as a man who dwelt in the garden of Eden, in a perfect paradise; as one clothed with garments that shone with all precious... read more
Man in impressive aspects. "Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the King of Tyrus," etc. This lamentation for the Prince of Tyre presents considerable difficulties to the expositor. It has been interpreted from various points of view, which we need not discuss here. Different meanings also have been assigned to many of its clauses. Two things of great importance to a correct understanding of it, however, seem to us quite clear. 1. ... read more
Thou sealest up the sum , etc. The noun is found only there and in Ezekiel 43:10 , where it is translated "pattern," but is cognate with the word rendered" tale" (equivalent to "measure") of Exodus 5:13 , and "measure" in Ezekiel 45:11 . The probable meaning is, Thou settest the seal to thy completeness ( perfection ). Thou deemest that thou hast attained the consummation of all beauty and wisdom. The LXX . and the Vulgate give, "Thou art a seal;" and this suggests a... read more
Thou hast been in Eden , etc. The words are suggestive, as showing that Ezekiel was familiar with the history of Genesis 2:1-25 and Genesis 3:1-24 . (compare the mention of Noah, in Ezekiel 15:1-8 :14, 20). To him the King of Tyre seemed to claim a position like that of Adam before his fall, perfect in beauty and in wisdom, the lord of the creation. And in that fancied Eden he stood, so he thought, not like Adam, "naked and ashamed," but like one of the cherubim that guarded the gates... read more
The anointed cherub that covereth . The word for "anointed" is not found elsewhere, but is cognate in form with that which is commonly so rendered. The Vulgate, however, tracing it to another root, gives extentus et protegens, and is followed by Luther, Gesenius, Ewald, and others. Keil and Hengstenberg accept "anointed." The sequence of thought seems to be as follows: The splendor-of the King of Tyre had suggested the idea of Eden the garden of God. This, in its turn, led on to that of... read more
Thou wast perfect in thy ways . The glory of the King of Tyre was, the prophet goes on to say, conditional. He began his reign in righteousness, but afterwards iniquity was found in him. And the root of that iniquity was the pride of wealth engendered by the greatness of his commerce ( Ezekiel 28:16 ). He was no longer like the cherub who guarded the Paradise of God, but like Adam when he was east out from it. Wealth and pride had tempted him to violence and to wrong, and he was no... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 28:7
I will bring strangers , etc. These are, of course, the hosts of many nations that made up the Chaldean army (comp. the parallel of Ezekiel 30:11 and Ezekiel 31:12 ). The beauty of thy wisdom is that of the city on which the prince looked as having been produced by his policy. read more