Ezekiel 26

Chap. XXVI. Ver. 1—21. Prophecies against Tyre.—The prophecy beginning here, and ending at the 20th verse of (Ezekiel 28)foretels the destruction of Tyre, (or Tyrus,) which, within twenty years from this period, was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, after a siege of thirteen years. The city called Old Tyre, stood on a peninsula, from which a great part of the inhabitants fled, with their effects, before it was taken, to an island half a mile from the shore, and built New Tyre, afterwards taken by Alexander the Great. The prophecy relates chiefly to Old Tyre, though it is thought to comprehend both, which were often considered as one city. The same event was foretold by Isaiah, ch. xxiii. (See note on ver.

3.). The Prophet begins with introducing Tyre as insulting Jerusalem, and congratulating herself on the prospect of accessions to her commerce, now that city was no more. Upon this, God, by his Prophet, denounces utter destruction to Tyre, and all the lesser cities depending on her, which are called her daughters. We have then a particular account of the monarch charged with this work: ‘* We, as it were, see his mighty hosts raising the mounds, setting the engines, and shaking the walls;

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXVI. Ver. 1. In the eleventh year.—Newcome, Boothroyd, and others, read, the twelfth year, on the authority of one ancient MS. and two versions. If, indeed, Jerusalem was taken in the fourth month of the 11th year of Zedekiah, as we find (Jeremiah 52:6-7), this oracle, which speaks of Jeru: salem as already taken, could not be delivered in the first month of the same year. The difference between 11th and 12th being only one letter in the original, it is easy to account for such a mistake in a transcriber; but it is not easy to account for so glaring an error spreading through all the MSS. Some therefore understand by the first month, not the first of the year, but the first after Jerusalem was taken.

Of these difficulties, the reader has his choice. Ver. 2. Tyrus—In English, more properly, “ ‘Tyre.” Ver. 3. Behold, I am against thee.—[These verses, (3—6.) contain a summary prediction of what befell both the continental and insular ‘Tyre, during a long succession of ages. ‘The former was totally destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, after a siege of 13 years, B. C. 573; and the latter, which arose out of its ruins, after 70 years, recovered its ancient wealth and splendour, as foretold by Isaiah, ((Ezekiel 23:15-17).) After it was taken and burnt by Alexander, B. C. 332, it speedily recovered its strength and dignity, and 19 years afterwards withstood both the fleets and armies of Antigonus. Agreeably to the prophetic declarations, ((Psalms 45:12). Ixxi. 10. (Isaiah 23:18). (Zechariah 9:1-7).) it was early converted to Christianity; and after being successively taken by the Saracens, Christians, Mamelukes, and Turks, in whose hands it still remains, it became “a place for the spreading of nets.” ]—Bagster. See note on ver. 14. Ver. 4. Scrape her dust.—Newcome, “ Earth.” See exposition above; also note to ver. 12. Ver. 5. For the spreading of nets.—This evidently refers to New Tyre which was upon an island, as observed in the exposition. Maundrell, and other travellers, state, that they saw the literal fulfilment of this prediction. See Bishop Newzon on the Prophecies, Diss. xi.; also note of ver. 14. Ver. 7. With horses and with chariots.—This evidently refers to Old Tyre, upon the continent; but see ver.

12. and (Ezekiel 27:4); xxviii. 8, which appear to refer to the insular situation of New Tyre. Ver. 8. Cast amount.—See (Ezekiel 4:2). _°. aa; ve 10. A city wherein is made a breach.—See margin.—Heb. “ Which is broken up.’’ Ver. 12. Lay thy stones and timber, &c. in the water.—{The ruins of old Tyre contributed much to the taking of the new city; for with the stones, timber, and rubbish, Alexander built a bank, or causeway, from the continent to the island, thereby literally fulfilling the words of the prophet. Q. Curtius, Diodorus. }—Bagster. (See exposition above.) Ver. 14. Like the top of a rock, &c.—{Old Tyre was never rebuilt after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar; and there are now no traces left to mark its site (see Pococke,) and the new city, when visited by Maundrell, Bruce, and other travellers, was literally ‘a place for fishers to dry their nets on.’|—B.

Ver. 17. Inhabited, &c.—Heb. ‘‘ Peopled from the sea.” Ver. 20. I will set glory.—Newcome, ** When I shall appoint glory, &c. I will (then) make thee,”’ &c.