Ezekiel 26
[Ezekiel 26:1] AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THE ELEVENTH
YEAR, IN THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO
ME, SAYING,
[Ezekiel 26:2] SON OF MAN, BECAUSE THAT TYRUS HATH SAID AGAINST JERUSALEM,
AHA, SHE IS BROKEN THAT WAS THE GATES OF THE PEOPLE: SHE IS TURNED UNTO ME:
I SHALL BE REPLENISHED, NOW SHE IS LAID WASTE:
>>TYRUS>>: i.e. The major Phoenician city of Tyre. The
ships of Tyre had participated (together with Edom and the Philistines) in
transporting part of the exiled Ten Tribes across the sea to Spain as we
explained elsewhere.
Apparently Jerusalem had been an important trading center of international
importance. Tyre considered Jerusalem a rival and was happy at her destruction
since the trade that had reached Jerusalem would now come to Tyre. The people
of Tyre were mainly Canaanites but they included Israelites, Edomites, Greeks,
and others. There were two sections of Tyre,
one was on the mainland and the other was an island just off the coast.
Cf. “Lost Israelite Identity” chapter eight:
PHOENICIAN AND HEBREW SYMBIOSIS
Nahum Slouschz wrote a book "Les Hebreo-Pheniciens" (i.e. “The Hebrew-Phoenicians”,
Paris 1909) in which he analysed the inter-connections between the Phoenicians
and the ancient Israelites. According to Slouschz the Phoenicians in Classical
mythology were represented by the figures of Cadmos and Hercules. Cadmos
was based on an earlier tradition regarding the Phoenician forerunners whereas
Hercules (called Melquart by the Phoenicians) represented them within Historical
Classical times.Cadmos and the name of his sister, Europa, show an early
Phoenician related connexion with the west.Agenor (father of Cadmos) represents
Phoenicia. He was the son of Poseidon. Another son of Poseidon (Neptune)
was Albion who according to Greek tradition founded a kingdom in Britain.
The hinterland of Phoenicia is known as Lebanon. "Albion" (i.e. Britain in
Classical terms) is synonymous in meaning with "Lebanon”. Both words indicate
"whiteness" and both derive from the same root.
[This ties in with Britain representing Ephraim and Ephraim being destined to inherit the Lebanon, as mentioned by Zechariah:
<<AND THEY OF EPHRAIM SHALL BE LIKE A MIGHTY MAN, AND THEIR HEART SHALL
REJOICE AS THROUGH WINE: YEA, THEIR CHILDREN SHALL SEE IT, AND BE GLAD;
THEIR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN THE LORD.
<<I WILL BRING THEM AGAIN ALSO OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, AND GATHER THEM
OUT OF ASSYRIA; AND I WILL BRING THEM INTO THE LAND OF GILEAD AND LEBANON;
AND PLACE SHALL NOT BE FOUND FOR THEM [Zechariah 10:7,10].
Egypt and Assyria could apply to areas in Europe.Gilead means Syria and
Lebanon means Lebanon. These areas will be re-populated by the Lost Ten Tribes
represented by “Ephraim”.]
THE PHOENICIANS AND ISRAELITES.
We have evidence from Phoenician sources of an Israelite connection
with Tyre:The Phoenician historian, Sanchuniathon (ca.300 b.c.e) was cited
by Philo, Eusebius and others. He stated that the city of Tyre had been founded
by Sameroumous and Ou'soos. Sameroumous was a maker of tents and is attributed
characteristics of Jacob (Gen..26;27). His name appears to be a play on that
of "Samaria" meaning the northern Israelite kingdom. This indicates a partial
Israelite involvement in Tyrian (i.e. Phoenician) enterprise and settlement.
On the other hand, the name "TYRE" sometimes serves as an euphemism for the
descendants of Esau41. Ousoos who also, said Sanchuniathon, founded Tyre
is given the qualities of Esau the brother of Jacob. Esau was ancestor to
Edom and an entity of Edom occupied a portion of Tyre on its landward side.
Esau is considered the arch enemy of Israel.
Concerning Tyre, compare too this passage from Zechariah and our Commentary there:
[Zechariah 9:1] THE BURDEN OF THE WORD OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF HADRACH,
AND DAMASCUS SHALL BE THE REST THEREOF: WHEN THE EYES OF MAN, AS OF ALL THE
TRIBES OF ISRAEL, SHALL BE TOWARD THE LORD.
The future borders of Israel shall reach beyond the Euphrates. As explained
in “Lost Israelite Identity”The Biblical Damascus actually stood on the Euphrates.
Hadrach was the center of Lias which land the Tribe of Dan once conquered
(Judges chapter 18, see “Lost Israelite Identity” by Yair Davidiy).
[Zechariah 9:2] AND HAMATH ALSO SHALL BORDER THEREBY; TYRUS, AND ZIDON, THOUGH IT BE VERY WISE.
[Zechariah 9:3] AND TYRUS DID BUILD HERSELF A STRONG HOLD, AND HEAPED
UP SILVER AS THE DUST, AND FINE GOLD AS THE MIRE OF THE STREETS.
Tyrus is Tyre the major Phoenecian city.
Consider this extract from Abrabanel and aplly the principle mentioned to other passages:
“Tyre that was adjacent to Israel has already been destroyed a long
time ago…after it was destroyed…Venice was built by descendants of Tyre…all
the descriptions and occupations that the Prophets applied to Tyre pertain
to Venice that was built up from the people of Tyre in the image and form
of Tyre after it having been destroyed”.
Abarbanel wrote in the 1490s. Today his words may well be applicable
to Japan. Tyre was a Phonecian city populated by Canaanites and Edomites
and Japan does have a Canaanite and Edomite components in its population.
Getting back to Ezekiel:
[Ezekiel 26:3] THEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD;
BEHOLD, I AM AGAINST THEE, O TYRUS, AND WILL CAUSE MANY NATIONS TO COME UP
AGAINST THEE, AS THE SEA CAUSETH HIS WAVES TO COME UP.
[Ezekiel 26:4] AND THEY SHALL DESTROY THE WALLS OF TYRUS, AND BREAK
DOWN HER TOWERS: I WILL ALSO SCRAPE HER DUST FROM HER, AND MAKE HER LIKE
THE TOP OF A ROCK.
<<A ROCK>>: In Hebrew “sela”. This is a play on associations
since the name “Tyre” (“Tsur” in Hebrew) also signifies a rock.
[Ezekiel 26:5] IT SHALL BE A PLACE FOR THE SPREADING
OF NETS IN THE MIDST OF THE SEA: FOR I HAVE SPOKEN IT, SAITH THE LORD GOD:
AND IT SHALL BECOME A SPOIL TO THE NATIONS.
[Ezekiel 26:6] AND HER DAUGHTERS WHICH ARE IN THE FIELD SHALL BE SLAIN BY THE SWORD; AND THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
<<HER DAUGHTERS WHICH ARE IN THE FIELD>> her suburbs round about.
[Ezekiel 26:7] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BEHOLD,
I WILL BRING UPON TYRUS NEBUCHADREZZAR KING OF BABYLON, A KING OF KINGS,
FROM THE NORTH, WITH HORSES, AND WITH CHARIOTS, AND WITH HORSEMEN, AND COMPANIES,
AND MUCH PEOPLE.
[Ezekiel 26:8] HE SHALL SLAY WITH THE SWORD THY DAUGHTERS IN THE FIELD:
AND HE SHALL MAKE A FORT AGAINST THEE, AND CAST A MOUNT AGAINST THEE, AND
LIFT UP THE BUCKLER AGAINST THEE.
[Ezekiel 26:9] AND HE SHALL SET ENGINES OF WAR AGAINST THY WALLS, AND WITH HIS AXES HE SHALL BREAK DOWN THY TOWERS.
[Ezekiel 26:10] BY REASON OF THE ABUNDANCE OF HIS HORSES THEIR DUST
SHALL COVER THEE: THY WALLS SHALL SHAKE AT THE NOISE OF THE HORSEMEN, AND
OF THE WHEELS, AND OF THE CHARIOTS, WHEN HE SHALL ENTER INTO THY GATES, AS
MEN ENTER INTO A CITY WHEREIN IS MADE A BREACH.
[Ezekiel 26:11] WITH THE HOOFS OF HIS HORSES SHALL HE TREAD DOWN ALL
THY STREETS: HE SHALL SLAY THY PEOPLE BY THE SWORD, AND THY STRONG GARRISONS
SHALL GO DOWN TO THE GROUND.
[Ezekiel 26:12] AND THEY SHALL MAKE A SPOIL OF THY RICHES, AND MAKE
A PREY OF THY MERCHANDISE: AND THEY SHALL BREAK DOWN THY WALLS, AND DESTROY
THY PLEASANT HOUSES: AND THEY SHALL LAY THY STONES AND THY TIMBER AND THY
DUST
IN THE MIDST OF THE WATER.
[Ezekiel 26:13] AND I WILL CAUSE THE NOISE OF THY SONGS TO CEASE; AND THE SOUND OF THY HARPS SHALL BE NO MORE HEARD.
[Ezekiel 26:14] AND I WILL MAKE THEE LIKE THE TOP OF A ROCK: THOU SHALT
BE A PLACE TO SPREAD NETS UPON; THOU SHALT BE BUILT NO MORE: FOR I THE LORD
HAVE SPOKEN IT, SAITH THE LORD GOD.
[Ezekiel 26:15] THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD TO TYRUS; SHALL NOT THE ISLES
SHAKE AT THE SOUND OF THY FALL, WHEN THE WOUNDED CRY, WHEN THE SLAUGHTER
IS MADE IN THE MIDST OF THEE?
<<ISLES>>: The British Isles? The Phoenicians settled in
southern Spain. They mined tin in Cornwall in Britain and according to tradition
also had a presence in Ireland. They also visited Scandinavia and may have
had settlements there.
[Ezekiel 26:16] THEN ALL THE PRINCES OF THE SEA SHALL
COME DOWN FROM THEIR THRONES, AND LAY AWAY THEIR ROBES, AND PUT OFF THEIR
BROIDERED GARMENTS: THEY SHALL CLOTHE THEMSELVES WITH TREMBLING; THEY SHALL
SIT UPON THE GROUND, AND SHALL TREMBLE AT EVERY MOMENT, AND BE ASTONISHED
AT THEE.
[Ezekiel 26:17] AND THEY SHALL TAKE UP A LAMENTATION FOR THEE, AND
SAY TO THEE, HOW ART THOU DESTROYED, THAT WAST INHABITED OF SEAFARING MEN,
THE RENOWNED CITY, WHICH WAST STRONG I THE SEA, SHE AND HER INHABITANTS,
WHICH CAUSE THEIR TERROR TO BE ON ALL THAT HAUNT IT!
[Ezekiel 26:18] NOW SHALL THE ISLES TREMBLE IN THE DAY OF THY FALL;
YEA, THE ISLES THAT ARE IN THE SEA SHALL BE TROUBLED AT THY DEPARTURE.
[Ezekiel 26:19] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; WHEN I SHALL MAKE THEE
A DESOLATE CITY, LIKE THE CITIES THAT ARE NOT INHABITED; WHEN I SHALL BRING
UP THE DEEP UPON THEE, AND GREAT WATERS SHALL COVER THEE;
[Ezekiel 26:20] WHEN I SHALL BRING THEE DOWN WITH
THEM THAT DESCEND INTO THE PIT, WITH THE PEOPLE OF OLD TIME, AND SHALL SET
THEE IN THE LOW PARTS OF THE EARTH, IN PLACES DESOLATE OF OLD, WITH THEM
THAT GO DOWN TO THE PIT,
THAT THOU BE NOT INHABITED; AND I SHALL SET GLORY IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING;
<<AND I SHALL SET GLORY IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING>>: This
is a hint at the eventual restoration of Jerusalem (“DM”: Moshkovitz).
[Ezekiel 26:21] I WILL MAKE THEE A TERROR, AND THOU
SHALT BE NO MORE: THOUGH THOU BE SOUGHT FOR, YET SHALT THOU NEVER BE FOUND
AGAIN, SAITH THE LORD GOD.
Ezekiel Index
Chapter 27
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