When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;
EZEKIEL 26:20KJVWhat does Ezekiel 26:20 mean?
Ezekiel 26:20 describes God’s warning to the city of Tyre that it will be brought down to the realm of the dead, joining ancient peoples in desolate places below the earth, so that it will no longer be inhabited, while God’s glory will remain in the land of the living. The verse contrasts Tyre’s coming destruction and emptiness with the continuing life and honor found elsewhere.
The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to Tyre, a wealthy and proud city, warning of its total downfall. The “pit” refers to the grave or the underworld, and the “low parts of the earth” means a place of ruin and abandonment. This verse is part of a prophecy against Tyre, showing that its fate will be like those long-gone peoples, cut off from the living world, while God’s presence and splendor remain among the living.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 26:20
- “Pit” (בּוֹר, bor): This word often means a grave or a deep pit, symbolizing death or the underworld. Here, it emphasizes Tyre’s complete removal from the world of the living.
- “Low parts” (תַּחְתִּיּוֹת, takhtiyyot): This term means the lowest or deepest places, often used for the underworld or places of utter ruin. It highlights the depth of Tyre’s coming fall.
- “Desolate” (שְׁמָמָה, shemamah): This word means a place laid waste or abandoned. It underlines that Tyre will become empty and uninhabited, not just conquered.
- “Glory” (צָב, tsav): This word means splendor or honor. The verse sets Tyre’s desolation in contrast to the ongoing glory that God will establish in the land of the living.
Why Ezekiel 26:20 matters
- Ezekiel 26:20 clarifies that Tyre’s destruction is not just military defeat but a total removal from history, likened to being sent to the realm of the dead.
- The verse emphasizes the contrast between the fate of the wicked (desolation and death) and the continuing presence of God’s glory among the living, showing a bigger picture of God’s justice.
- Understanding the imagery of “the pit” and “low parts of the earth” helps modern readers see how ancient people viewed death and ruin, making the warning more vivid and serious.