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A Lament for the King of Tyre
This lament speaks over the king of Tyre in rich poetic language. It moves from splendour and privilege to pride, violence and ruin, showing how greatness can be corrupted and brought low.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre. The passage is presented as poetry and song, using images such as Eden, precious stones, a cherub and God’s mountain to describe exalted status and then decisive judgement.
Ezekiel 28:11–19Main takeaway
This lament teaches that beauty, wisdom and privilege do not protect anyone who turns to unrighteousness, violence and pride.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A lament over a glorious figureThe passage begins as a lamentation, a funeral-like song of grief. The king is described in grand terms as the "seal of full measure", "full of wisdom" and "perfect in beauty".
Explanation
The passage begins as a lamentation, a funeral-like song of grief. The king is described in grand terms as the "seal of full measure", "full of wisdom" and "perfect in beauty". These opening lines set up the height from which he will fall and show the poem’s elevated style.
02Eden, jewels and the holy mountainThe lament piles up images of splendour and sacred nearness. Eden, the garden of God, precious stones, gold workmanship, the anointed cherub and the holy mountain all express honour and adornment.
Explanation
The lament piles up images of splendour and sacred nearness. Eden, the garden of God, precious stones, gold workmanship, the anointed cherub and the holy mountain all express honour and adornment. The text gives these as poetic descriptions within the lament, not as a separate story to retell.
03From created goodness to unrighteousnessA sharp turning point comes with the words "until unrighteousness was found in you". The one described as perfect in his ways is no longer so.
Explanation
A sharp turning point comes with the words "until unrighteousness was found in you". The one described as perfect in his ways is no longer so. His commerce becomes linked with violence and sin, showing that outward success and trading abundance can be joined to deep moral corruption.
04Pride ruins wisdom and brings public downfallThe poem names the inner problem plainly. His heart was lifted up because of beauty, and his wisdom was corrupted by splendour.
Explanation
The poem names the inner problem plainly. His heart was lifted up because of beauty, and his wisdom was corrupted by splendour. The result is humiliation. He is cast down and displayed before kings. The lament shows pride undoing the very gifts that once made him impressive.
05Profaned sanctuaries, ashes and astonishmentThe closing lines gather the judgement into final images. Iniquities and unrighteous commerce profane sanctuaries.
Explanation
The closing lines gather the judgement into final images. Iniquities and unrighteous commerce profane sanctuaries. Fire comes from within, he is devoured, turned to ashes, and those who know him are astonished. The ending is public, fearful and final, matching the seriousness of his corruption.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which words at the start show the king’s impressive status before the turning point?
Look closely at the descriptions in the opening lament and list the qualities or images that show fullness, wisdom, beauty and honour.
02What change does the word "until" introduce in the poem?
Trace how the text moves from being created and described positively to the discovery of unrighteousness, violence and sin.
03According to the lament, what specifically corrupted the king’s wisdom?
Read the line about his heart and beauty carefully, then connect it with the public downfall that follows.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 28:11–19
11Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
12“Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “You were the seal of full measure, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Gold work of tambourines and of pipes was in you. They were prepared in the day that you were created.
14You were the anointed cherub who covers. Then I set you up on the holy mountain of God. You have walked up and down in the middle of the stones of fire.
15You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you.
16By the abundance of your commerce, your insides were filled with violence, and you have sinned. Therefore I have cast you as profane out of God’s mountain. I have destroyed you, covering cherub, from the middle of the stones of fire.
17Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty. You have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I have cast you to the ground. I have laid you before kings, that they may see you.
18By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your commerce, you have profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought out a fire from the middle of you. It has devoured you. I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all those who see you.
19All those who know you among the peoples will be astonished at you. You have become a terror, and you will exist no more.” ’ ”