For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.

EZEKIEL 26:7KJV
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Ezekiel 26:7 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 26:7 mean?

Ezekiel 26:7 announces that God is bringing Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful king of Babylon, against the city of Tyre, leading a large and impressive army from the north. The verse presents this coming attack as a direct action from God, emphasizing the might and scale of the invading force.

In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is relaying a message from God ("thus saith the Lord GOD") to the people concerning Tyre, a wealthy and influential city on the coast. The situation is one of warning: Tyre will soon face a formidable enemy, Nebuchadnezzar, described as a "king of kings," who will come with horses, chariots, cavalry, and many troops. This sets the stage for the prophecy of Tyre's downfall in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 26:7

  • אֲדֹנָי (Adonai, "Lord") and יְהוִה (YHWH, "GOD"): The verse uses both titles together, underlining the authority and sovereignty of the speaker—God Himself is making this declaration.
  • נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר (Nevukhadretzar, "Nebuchadrezzar"): This is the Hebrew form of Nebuchadnezzar's name, showing the historical king who would later besiege Tyre.
  • מֶלֶךְ מְלָכִים (melech melachim, "king of kings"): This phrase highlights Nebuchadnezzar's dominance over other rulers, stressing the seriousness of the threat.
  • מִן־צָּפוֹן (min-tsafon, "from the north"): In the ancient world, invasions often came from the north, and this detail would have signaled danger to Ezekiel’s audience.

Why Ezekiel 26:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the coming destruction of Tyre is not just political happenstance but is presented as an act of divine judgment, with God actively directing Nebuchadnezzar’s campaign.
  • By calling Nebuchadnezzar a "king of kings," the verse emphasizes both his power and the seriousness of the threat facing Tyre, helping readers understand the scale of what is coming.
  • The verse connects to the larger prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 26, setting up the details of the siege and showing how God uses world events to fulfill His purposes.

Where else these words appear

“Tyrus” Hebrew H6865 · used in 39 verses

  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • Psalms 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
  • Ezekiel 27:2 Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;

“horsemen” Hebrew H6571 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 9:22 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
  • Isaiah 21:9 And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

“Nebuchadrezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 43:10 And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

“chariots” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.