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 26:10KJV
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Ezekiel 26:10 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 26:10 mean?

Ezekiel 26:10 describes the overwhelming force of an invading army, led by a powerful leader, whose many horses will stir up so much dust that it will cover the city, and whose approach will shake the city walls with the noise of horsemen, chariots, and wheels as they break through the gates. The verse paints a vivid picture of a city under siege, emphasizing the unstoppable power and terror of the attackers.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to the city of Tyre, warning them of a coming conquest by a foreign king—often understood as Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The verse uses dramatic language to show how complete and frightening the invasion will be, focusing on the sights and sounds of war as the enemy enters the city through a breach in its defenses.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 26:10

  • "Abundance" (רֹב, rov): This word stresses the sheer number or vastness of the horses, highlighting the overwhelming size of the invading force.
  • "Shake" (רָעַשׁ, ra‘ash): This verb means to quake or tremble, showing that the noise and force of the army are so great that even the city’s strong walls will seem to shudder.
  • "Breach" (פֶּרֶץ, perets): This word refers to a break or gap made in a wall, underlining that the city’s defenses will be broken through, not simply opened.

Why Ezekiel 26:10 matters

  • Ezekiel 26:10 makes clear that Tyre’s fall will not be a quiet or minor event, but a dramatic and terrifying assault that leaves the city powerless against its attackers.
  • The verse connects to the wider prophecy against Tyre, showing that the city’s pride and sense of security will be shattered by a force far greater than they can resist.
  • The vivid details about dust, noise, and shaking walls help readers imagine the chaos and fear of ancient warfare, making the warning more real and urgent.

Where else these words appear

“abundance” Hebrew H8229 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 9:17 And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
  • Job 22:11 Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.
  • Job 38:34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

“dust” Hebrew H80 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 9:9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
  • Deuteronomy 28:24 The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
  • Isaiah 29:5 Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.

“wheels” Hebrew H1534 · used in 11 verses

  • Psalms 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
  • Isaiah 5:28 Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:
  • Ezekiel 10:2 And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.

“enter” Hebrew H3996 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • 2 Kings 16:18 And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.
  • Proverbs 8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.