Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

EZEKIEL 28:17KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 28:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 28:17 mean?

Ezekiel 28:17 describes how pride over beauty led to the corruption of wisdom, resulting in a dramatic fall from honor to disgrace. The verse says that because of this pride, the one addressed will be brought low and exposed before kings as a warning.

In this part of Ezekiel, God is speaking through the prophet to the ruler of Tyre, using language that highlights how arrogance and self-glorification can lead to ruin. The verse uses the image of someone whose heart was "lifted up" because of their beauty and brightness, but whose wisdom became twisted by that same pride, leading to public humiliation.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 28:17

  • "heart" (לֵבָב, levav): This word refers to the inner self or mind, not just emotions. Here, it points to the ruler’s inner attitude and pride.
  • "up" (גָּבַהּ, gavah): This verb means to be lifted up or exalted, often with the sense of arrogance or self-importance.
  • "corrupted" (שָׁחַת, shachath): This word means to ruin or spoil. It shows that the wisdom the ruler once had was not just lost, but actively twisted or destroyed by pride.
  • "brightness" (יָפְעָה, yofe): This word means splendor or radiance, emphasizing the impressive appearance or reputation that led to pride.

Why Ezekiel 28:17 matters

  • Ezekiel 28:17 clarifies that pride can distort even good qualities like wisdom, turning them into sources of downfall rather than strength.
  • The verse highlights a key theme in Ezekiel 28: the dangers of self-exaltation, especially for those in positions of power or influence.
  • By describing a public fall "before kings," the verse connects personal pride to consequences that are not just private but visible to others, serving as a warning to all who might follow the same path.

Where else these words appear

“brightness” Hebrew H3314 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 28:7 Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.

“beauty” Hebrew H3308 · used in 19 verses

  • Esther 1:11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
  • Isaiah 33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
  • Ezekiel 27:4 Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.

“up” Hebrew H1361 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
  • Psalms 113:5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
  • Ezekiel 16:50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

“of” Hebrew H5921 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Genesis 31:50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
  • 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.