Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

EZEKIEL 28:15KJV
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Ezekiel 28:15 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 28:15 mean?

Ezekiel 28:15 describes someone who was created without fault and lived blamelessly until wrongdoing was discovered in them. The verse highlights a dramatic change from an original state of innocence to one marked by iniquity.

In this part of Ezekiel, the prophet is delivering a message from God to the ruler of Tyre. The language paints the ruler as having once been "perfect" or complete in conduct from the moment of creation, but eventually, corruption or moral failure ("iniquity") was found. The verse uses strong imagery to emphasize the seriousness of this shift and sets up a warning about pride and downfall.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 28:15

  • perfect (תָּמִים, tamim): This word often means "complete," "blameless," or "without defect." Here, it stresses that the subject started out in a state of moral or ethical wholeness, not just outwardly good but genuinely sound in character.
  • created (בָּרָא, bara): This verb means "to create," usually referring to God's unique act of bringing something into existence. The use here underlines that the subject's original state was given by God, not earned.
  • iniquity (עַוְלָה, evel): This word points to injustice, wrongdoing, or moral evil. Its discovery in the subject marks a clear turning point from innocence to guilt.
  • found (מָצָא, matsa): To "find" in this context means that the wrongdoing became evident or was exposed, not that it was always present.

Why Ezekiel 28:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the ruler of Tyre's downfall was not due to an original flaw, but to a change that happened over time—a warning against pride and corruption after a good beginning.
  • The language connects to the broader passage, which uses almost poetic descriptions to portray the ruler as both exalted and tragically fallen, making the warning more vivid.
  • Understanding the original words helps show that the "perfection" described is about moral integrity, not just outward success or beauty, and that the "iniquity" is a deep, personal failure rather than a mere mistake.

Where else these words appear

“created” Hebrew H1254 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • Psalms 89:12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
  • Isaiah 45:8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

“iniquity” Hebrew H5766 · used in 51 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Job 27:4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
  • Proverbs 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

“perfect” Hebrew H8549 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
  • Numbers 28:9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
  • Psalms 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.