Lesson sequence
Ezekiel 28: A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre
Ezekiel 28:1–10; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Ezekiel 28:20–24; Ezekiel 28:25–26
Ezekiel 28:1–10 is a word from the Lord Yahweh against the ruler of Tyre. It exposes proud claims, traces the link between wisdom and wealth, and announces judgement on a ruler who speaks as if he were divine. This lesson also brings together A Lament for the King of Tyre, A Prophecy against Sidon, The Restoration of Israel.
Before you teach
In these verses, Yahweh gives Ezekiel a message for the prince of Tyre. The passage stays on this ruler’s own claims, his wisdom, his riches, and the Lord’s response. It is a prophecy of rebuke and judgement, not a story of events already carried out here.
Explain the central teaching of Ezekiel 28: A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre, using two details from the reading. This prophecy teaches that a human ruler’s wisdom, wealth, and proud claims cannot make him God or spare him from God’s judgement. This lament teaches that beauty, wisdom and privilege do not protect anyone who turns to unrighteousness, violence and pride. This prophecy teaches that the Lord Yahweh declares judgment on Sidon and says that through these acts people will know that he is Yahweh. The passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh promises to gather Israel, settle them securely in their land, and make his holiness and identity known.
Your lesson sequence
Use the teaching outline below for each session, with these reading and activity choices.
A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre
Ezekiel 28:1–10
This prophecy teaches that a human ruler’s wisdom, wealth, and proud claims cannot make him God or spare him from God’s judgement.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Ezekiel 28:1–10. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
A Lament for the King of Tyre
Ezekiel 28:11–19
This lament teaches that beauty, wisdom and privilege do not protect anyone who turns to unrighteousness, violence and pride.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Ezekiel 28:11–19. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
A Prophecy against Sidon
Ezekiel 28:20–24
This prophecy teaches that the Lord Yahweh declares judgment on Sidon and says that through these acts people will know that he is Yahweh.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Ezekiel 28:20–24. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
The Restoration of Israel
Ezekiel 28:25–26
The passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh promises to gather Israel, settle them securely in their land, and make his holiness and identity known.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Ezekiel 28:25–26. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Welcome: Ezekiel 28: A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre
5 minIntroduce “A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre”, “A Lament for the King of Tyre”, “A Prophecy against Sidon”, “The Restoration of Israel” and locate Ezekiel 28:1–10; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Ezekiel 28:20–24; Ezekiel 28:25–26. This prophecy teaches that a human ruler’s wisdom, wealth, and proud claims cannot make him God or spare him from God’s judgement. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for. Choose the reading for today’s session from the sequence above.
Ezekiel 28:1, Ezekiel 28:6, Ezekiel 28:10
Read and explain the passage
12 minA Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:1–10): The message begins with the ruler’s heart being lifted up. He says, “I am a god” and, “I sit in the seat of God, in the middle of the seas.” The Lord immediately corrects him: he is man, and no god, even though he has set his heart as the heart of a god.
A Lament for the King of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11–19): 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.
A Prophecy against Sidon (Ezekiel 28:20–24): The passage begins with Yahweh speaking to Ezekiel. He is called “son of man” and told to “set your face toward Sidon”. This phrase shows focused opposition in the prophecy. Ezekiel is not asked to tell a story here, but to deliver a declared message against a city.
The Restoration of Israel (Ezekiel 28:25–26): The passage begins with the Lord Yahweh’s own words. He says he will gather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are scattered. “House of Israel” means the people of Israel as a whole. The main action starts with God, not with the people organising their own return.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre”, “A Lament for the King of Tyre”, “A Prophecy against Sidon”, “The Restoration of Israel”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:11, Ezekiel 28:12, Ezekiel 28:20, Ezekiel 28:21, Ezekiel 28:25
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “Which exact words in verse 2 show what the ruler claims for himself?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. The passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh promises to gather Israel, settle them securely in their land, and make his holiness and identity known. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:24, Ezekiel 28:25, Ezekiel 28:26
Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map
12 minWork on “Ezekiel 28: A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre”, “A Lament for the King of Tyre”, “A Prophecy against Sidon”, “The Restoration of Israel” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Ezekiel 28:1, Ezekiel 28:14, Ezekiel 28:26
Closing: return to The Restoration of Israel
3 minRevisit Ezekiel 28:25–26. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Restoration of Israel and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Ezekiel 28:25, Ezekiel 28:26
Questions to explore
Which exact words in verse 2 show what the ruler claims for himself?
Read the ruler’s own statements, then compare them with the Lord’s reply that he is “man, and no god”.
Ezekiel 28:2
How does the final verse describe the effect on the house of Israel?
Notice the picture language of a brier and a thorn, and connect it with the statement that this trouble from surrounding scorners will stop.
Ezekiel 28:24
What actions in these verses does the Lord Yahweh say he himself will do?
List the verbs attached to the Lord’s words, such as gather, be shown as holy, and execute judgments, then notice what those actions achieve for Israel.
Ezekiel 28:25, Ezekiel 28:26
Make, think or respond
Ezekiel 28: A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre: Vision and message evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage describes”, “What is explained in the text”, “What question remains”.
- Read Ezekiel 28:1–10; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Ezekiel 28:20–24; Ezekiel 28:25–26. Use “A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre”, “A Lament for the King of Tyre”, “A Prophecy against Sidon”, “The Restoration of Israel” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Circle an explanation the passage itself provides. Leave unexplained details as questions for further reading.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Ezekiel 28: A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “A Prophecy against the Ruler of Tyre”, “A Lament for the King of Tyre”, “A Prophecy against Sidon”, “The Restoration of Israel” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Ezekiel 28:1–10; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Ezekiel 28:20–24; Ezekiel 28:25–26. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Ezekiel 28:1–10; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Ezekiel 28:20–24; Ezekiel 28:25–26. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Ezekiel 28
1 Yahweh’s word came again to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the middle of the seas;’ yet you are man, and no god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god—
3 behold, you are wiser than Daniel. There is no secret that is hidden from you.
4 By your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten yourself riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasuries.
5 By your great wisdom and by your trading you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches—”
6 “ ‘therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Because you have set your heart as the heart of God,
7 therefore, behold, I will bring strangers on you, the terrible of the nations. They will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom. They will defile your brightness.
8 They will bring you down to the pit. You will die the death of those who are slain in the heart of the seas.
9 Will you yet say before him who kills you, ‘I am God’? But you are man, and not God, in the hand of him who wounds you.
10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers; for I have spoken it,” says the Lord Yahweh.’ ”
11 Moreover 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.
13 You 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.
14 You 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.
15 You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you.
16 By 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.
17 Your 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.
18 By 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.
19 All those who know you among the peoples will be astonished at you. You have become a terror, and you will exist no more.” ’ ”
20 Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
21 “Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against it,
22 and say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I am against you, Sidon. I will be glorified among you. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I have executed judgments in her, and am sanctified in her.
23 For I will send pestilence into her, and blood into her streets. The wounded will fall within her, with the sword on her on every side. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.
24 “ ‘ “There will no longer be a pricking brier to the house of Israel, nor a hurting thorn of any that are around them that scorned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.”
25 “ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am shown as holy among them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob.
26 They will dwell in it securely. Yes, they will build houses, plant vineyards, and will dwell securely when I have executed judgments on all those around them who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am Yahweh their God.” ’ ”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.