Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me ,.... After the prophecy concerning the ruin of the prince of Tyre, the word of the Lord came to the prophet, ordering him to take up a lamentation on the king of Tyre: saying ; as follows: read more
Take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus ,.... Who is before called the prince of Tyre; and who he was See Gill on Ezekiel 28:2 , the bishop of Rome was first only a "nagid", a prince, ruler, governor, and leader in the church; afterwards he became a king, a head, even over other kings, princes, and states; perhaps this may also point to his twofold power, secular and ecclesiastical, and so he is represented by two beasts, Revelation 13:1 , here a lamentation or funeral ditty is... read more
Thou sealest up - This has been translated, "Thou drawest thy own likeness." "Thou formest a portrait of thyself; and hast represented thyself the perfection of wisdom and beauty." I believe this to be the meaning of the place. 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
The dirge of the prince of Tyre, answering to the dirge of the state. The passage is ironical; its main purpose is to depict all the glory, real or assumed, of “the prince of Tyrus,” in order to show how deplorable should be his ruin.Ezekiel 28:12To “seal the sum” is to make up the whole measure of perfection. Compare the SeptuagintEzekiel 28:13Thou hast been in Eden - “Thou” wast etc. The prince of Tyrus is ironically described as the first of creation; but at the same time the parallel is to... read more
Ezekiel 28:12-13. Take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus See Ezekiel 27:32. Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, &c. In thine own opinion thou art the perfect pattern of wisdom and all other excellences; thou possessest them in full measure, they are thine by an unalienable tenure, sealed up safely among thy treasures. The LXX. render this, Συ αποσφραγισμα ομοιωσεως , και στεφανος καλλους , Thou art the seal of likeness, and crown of beauty. To the same purpose the... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 28:11-19
As after the prediction of the ruin of Tyre (Ezek. 26:1-21) followed a pathetic lamentation for it (Ezek. 27:1-36), so after the ruin of the king of Tyre is foretold it is bewailed. I. This is commonly understood of the prince who then reigned over Tyre, spoken to, Ezek. 28:2. His name was Ethbaal, or Ithobalus, as Diodorus Siculus calls him that was king of Tyre when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed it. He was, it seems, upon all external accounts an accomplished man, very great and famous; but his... read more