| Ezekiel 25:1-27:36 v. 1 The word of the Lord – This phrase is found 262 times in our bible and 60 times in the book of Ezekiel alone. The phrase represents a direct communication from God to Ezekiel. v. 2 Son of man – Literally, "Son of Adam." This is a humbling title to remind Ezekiel that he is just like the men he is prophesying to, and that he shouldn't become prideful in his position as God's messenger. Ezekiel is addressed by this title 93 times in the NKJV bible. Ezekiel's name is only mentioned twice in the entire book (Eze. 1:3; 24:24). prophesy against them – to pronounce a word of judgment from the Lord against them Ammonites – A tribal people descended from Lot's son Ammon. They dwelt immediately east of Israel and were hostile enemies to the Hebrew people. v. 3 Aha – A mocking laugh equivalent to, "Ha, ha." The Ammonites were rejoicing over Israel's calamities and captivity. My sanctuary – the Temple of the Lord, which had been burnt and desecrated by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon Profaned – chalal (Heb.) vandalize, defile, pollute, desecrate house of Judah – the southern kingdom of Israel v. 4 the men of the East – nomadic tribes of the desert east of Ammon encampments – a battlement, fortress or a hamlet castle, habitation, palace v. 5 Rabbah – the capital city of the Ammonites located east of the Jordan Then you shall know that I am the LORD – This phrase reveals God's desire to be properly known as the One true God. v. 6 clapped your hands, stamped your feet – a sign of great celebration (6:11) disdain – she'at (Heb.) despite, contempt v. 7 plunder – baz (Heb.) spoil, booty, robbery, spoiling, prey v. 8 Moab – The land immediately south of Ammon, east of the Dead Sea inhabited by the descendants of the eldest daughter of Lot. Moab was a son of Lot through an incestuous relationship with his daughter (Gen. 19:35-37). Seir – the land of Edom, a country south of Moab and south of the Dead Sea like all the nations – This was spoken as an insult to the Lord and His people. The insinuation was that Judah was no better off than the heathen and thus their God offers no advantage over other gods. v. 9 Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kirjathaim – three key defensive cities of Moab v. 12 Because of what Edom did – Edom had a long history of hostility and treachery against Israel beginning with their refusal to let Israel cross through their territory on the way to the Promised Land (Num 20:14-21). Much later, when Judah revolted in 588 BC, Edom sided with Babylon and aided Babylon in her assaults against Judah (Ps. 137:7, Jer. 49:7-22). v. 13 Teman – a district near Petra in central Edom (Jer. 49:7, 20) Dedan – a tribe and territory in South Edom (Jer. 49:8) v. 14 vengeance – neqamah (Heb.) revenge, to avenge, retaliate v. 15 Philistines – Inhabitants of the coastal plains along the Mediterranean west of Judah. These people were long-time enemies of Israel and continued to successfully resist Israel's conquest of Canaan until the time of David. They were never totally subdued, however, until Nebuchadnezzar brought them into captivity. v. 16 Cherethites – One of the principle tribes of the Philistines who were known as bowmen. At one point in Israel's history they were hired as King David's royal body guards (1Chron. 18:17). Ezekiel 26 v. 1 eleventh year – the eleventh year of King Jehoiakim's exile (587-586 BC) Tyre – The island capitol of Phoenicia (present-day Lebanon). gateway of the peoples – Because of its geographical location, Tyre held a strategic position in the trade routes to the east. v. 3 sea causes its waves to come up – Invading armies are likened to the waves of the sea. And since Tyre was an island city this was a fitting analogy (Is. 17:12-13). v. 5 a place for spreading nets – Ancient fishermen would spread their nets out to dry on large barren, rocky places. God is describing how completely He would level the city of Tyre. It would become so barren that it would only be good for drying out fishnets. plunder – baz (Heb.) spoil, booty, robbery, spoiling, prey v. 6 daughter villages – Tyre's villages, which were situated on the mainland v. 7 I will bring against Tyre…Nebuchadnezzar – God used King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon to punish Tyre. After defeating Jerusalem, he moved his army north to attack Tyre in 585 BC. king of kings – A title used to describe a king who rules over many other kings (Ezra 7:12, Eze. 26:7, Dan. 2:37). v. 8 siege mound – dayeq (Heb.) The KJV translates this, "fort." After the fall of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar's 15-year siege began against Tyre. v. 9 towers – The elevated defensive watchtowers of a fortified (walled) city. v. 10 breached – baqa (Heb.) to break through or break open v. 11 pillars – matstsebah (Heb.) memorial stones, monument, obelisks v. 14 shall never be rebuilt – This was not immediately fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar but ultimately fulfilled in the siege of Alexander the Great in 332 BC. v. 16 princes of the sea – Tyre's maritime trade associates called "kings" in 27:35. take off their embroidered garments – A sign of mourning. Mourners would exchange their festive clothing with sackcloth and cover themselves with ashes as a sign of great grief. v. 17 lamentation – qiynah (Heb.) an expression of grief or mourning; a dirge or lament often accompanied by the beating of the breast or on instruments v. 18 the coastlands – referring to all of Tyre's nautical trading partners v. 19 bring the deep upon you – A cataclysmic description of Tyre being swallowed up by the sea. v. 20 Pit – bowr (Heb.) a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison) cistern, dungeon v. 21 Lord GOD – In this context God is expressing the surety of the preceding judgment by signing His name to it. Ezekiel 27 v. 2 lamentation – qiynah (Heb.) an expression of grief or mourning; a dirge or lament often accompanied by the beating of the breast or on instruments Tyre – the island capitol of Phoenicia (present-day Lebanon) v. 3 I am perfect in beauty – An expression of Tyre's extreme arrogance & conceit. v. 4 Your borders – Tyre's boundaries and great influence extended far beyond its island shore. v. 5 your planks – Allegorical language. Tyre is now being likened unto a majestic ship in the midst of the sea with mast and planks and sails rather than an island. Senir – Sheniyr (Heb.) "snow mountain"; the Amorite name for Mount Hermon. Senir grew the best fir trees, from which the Tyrians made boards and planks for shipping. Lebanon – A wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel where the best quality cedar trees were grown and cut. v. 6 Bashan – a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility Ashurites – ashur (Heb.) the cedar tree or some other light flexible wood; boxwood. Cyprus – Kittiyiy (Heb.) "bruisers" a general term for all islanders of the Mediterranean Sea. v. 7 linen from Egypt – This description of Tyre continues to highlight the highest quality of products from the best providers. The finest and whitest linen came from Egypt. Blue and purple – colors expressing royalty in ancient cultures Elishah – This location is not known for certain, but believed to be modern-day Sicily. v. 8 Sidon – An ancient Phoenician city, which rivaled Tyre 25 miles to the north on the Mediterranean coast. Arvad – another Phoenician city-island near Sidon v. 9 Gebal – an important maritime Phoenician town near Tyre between Sidon and Arvad (modern Jebeil). v. 10 from Persia, Lydia, and Libya – As the Tryrians were a trading people, they hired foreign troops into their service to fill their garrisons, defend their city, and fight for them in time of war. These troops were of various nations (Is. 66:19). splendor – hadar (Heb.) beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty Gammad – gammad (Heb.) brave men, warriors, and valorous men. v. 12 Tarshish – A place on the Mediterranean. The exact location is disputed. silver, iron, tin, and lead – various valuable materials to a prominent city of this time v. 13 Javan – Greece. Not the Greeks of Europe or Asia Minor, but of a Greek settlement in Arabia. Tubal, and Meshech – two regions in east Asia Minor v. 14 Togarmah – Territory settled by the descendants of Togarmah, son of Gomer, grandson of Japheth, and great grandson of Noah. Probably the area known today as Armenia, which shares borders with Turkey and Iran. v. 15 Dedan – A large Island off the southwest coast of Asia Minor. Dedan was a major trading center and a gateway to the Aegean islands. v. 16 Syria – The name in the Old Testament given to the whole country which lay to the north-east of Phoenicia, extending to beyond the Euphrates and the Tigris. v. 17 Judah and the land of Israel – This reference dates the time of this "trading" to the time of the divided kingdom before the captivity (722-721 BC). Minnith – a place east of the Jordan in Ammonite territory; site unknown Millet – pannag (Heb.) an edible food, perhaps pastry v. 18 Damascus – An ancient trading city, capital of Syria, located in the plain east of Hermon, 130 miles (205 km) northeast of Jerusalem. Helbon – A town a few miles northwest of Damascus, modern Helbon is still noted for its fine grapes. v. 19 Dan – Either the inhabitants of the tribe of Dan in general, or of Laish, sometimes called Dan. v. 21 Arabia – Arab (Heb.) "Steppe-dwellers," the people inhabiting the country east and south of Canaan, the nomadic desert Bedouins. Kedar – the descendants of Kedar, a son of Ishmael (Gen. 25:13) v. 22 Sheba – a territory in SW Arabia Raamah – son of Cush, also a trading people v. 23 Haran – The city Abraham migrated to when he left Ur of the Chaldeans (Gen. 11:31), and where he stayed until his father died before leaving for the Promised Land. Located in Mesopotamia in Padan-aram at the foot of Mt. Masius between the Khabour and the Euphrates. Canneh – a city apparently in Mesopotamia Eden – Eden (Heb.), meaning pleasure. A place conquered by Assyria; probably located in the northwest of Mesopotamia. Sheba – a territory in SW Arabia Assyria – Ashshuwr (Heb.) Ashshur was the second son of Shem; Assyria was the country occupied by his descendants. The boundaries of Assyria differed greatly at different periods, Probably in the earliest times it was confined to a small tract of low country lying chiefly on the left bank of the Tigris. Gradually its limits were extended, until it came to be regarded as comprising the whole region between the Armenian mountains to the north and Baghdad to the south. Chilmad – Kilmad (Heb.) a city of Assyria v. 24 choice items – All the items listed in this verse were considered treasured gifts fit for royalty. v. 25 ships of Tarshish – The quality of vessels built by Hiram and Solomon to import precious cargo to Israel (2 Chron. 9:21; 20:36, 37). v. 26 east wind – referring to the fury of Nebuchadnezzar and his army conquering Israel (17:10) v. 28 common-land – the suburbs and open pastures v. 30 dust on their heads – Peoples of ancient cultures would throw dust upon the head and roll in ashes when expressing great grief and mourning (2 Sam. 1:2, Job 2:12, Lam. 2:10, Rev. 18:19). v. 31 shave themselves – Another act expressing great grief in ancient cultures (Eze. 7:18; Lev. 21:5; Deut. 14:1; Is. 15:2, 22:12). sackcloth – saq (Heb.) A very coarse and crude material used for bagging dry goods. This material was at times worn in ancient cultures to express mourning or humiliation because it was so uncomfortable and irritating to the skin. v. 32 lamentation – qiynah (Heb.) an expression of grief or mourning; a dirge or lament often accompanied by the beating of the breast or on instruments v. 33 your wares – Referring to Tyre's many quality goods and trade products. v. 35 isles will be astonished – The population of islands and continents bordering seas who traded with Tyre will be appalled and horrified at how this great city has fallen. 36 hiss at you – A cultural expression of mockery or contempt equivalent to modern day "booing" (1 Kings 9:8, Job 27:23, Is. 7:18, Jer. 19:8). | 
25:6-7 For thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel, indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the LORD."
Proclamation Against Ammon
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