Ezekiel 26:21 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 26:21 mean?

Ezekiel 26:21 declares that the city being addressed—Tyre—will become a source of terror and will be completely destroyed, never to be found again, according to the Lord GOD. This verse emphasizes the finality and totality of Tyre’s downfall as a judgment from God.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Tyre, a powerful and wealthy city on the coast. The context is a prophecy against Tyre for its pride and opposition to Israel. The language highlights that Tyre’s destruction will be so complete that even if people search for it, it will never be restored or found again.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 26:21

• "terror" (מְחִתָּה, meḥittah): This word means something that causes dread or horror. Here, it underlines that Tyre’s fate will be so shocking that it will inspire fear in others.
• "never" (עֹולָם, olam): This word often means "forever" or "for all time." Its use here stresses the permanence of Tyre’s disappearance—this is not just a temporary setback.
• "found" (מָצָא, matsa): This verb means "to find" or "to discover." The verse uses it to show that Tyre’s destruction will be so thorough that it cannot be located or rebuilt.
• "saith" (נְאֻם, ne'um): This word is used for a solemn declaration from God, giving extra weight and certainty to the prophecy.

Why Ezekiel 26:21 matters

• Ezekiel 26:21 clarifies that the prophecy is not just about a defeat or temporary ruin, but about a permanent erasure of Tyre as a city.
• The verse shows the seriousness of God’s judgment, making it clear that this is not an empty threat but a decree that will not be reversed.
• Understanding the finality in this verse helps readers see how it fits into the larger section of Ezekiel, where God pronounces judgments on nations that opposed Israel.