All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

EZEKIEL 28:19KJV
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Ezekiel 28:19 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 28:19 mean?

Ezekiel 28:19 says that everyone who knew the ruler being addressed will be shocked at his downfall, and he will become a warning or source of fear, never to exist again in the same way. The verse is a declaration of total and final judgment against this leader, emphasizing that his former power and presence will be completely wiped out.

In context, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the "prince of Tyre," a wealthy and proud ruler. The people who once respected or feared this leader will be amazed at how completely he has fallen. This verse closes a section where God describes the pride and coming ruin of Tyre’s ruler, making it clear that his destruction will be so complete that he will never rise again.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 28:19

  • "know" (יָדַע, yada‘): This word means more than just being aware; it often suggests a close or personal knowledge. The people who "know" the ruler are those familiar with his power and reputation, making their astonishment at his downfall even more striking.
  • "astonished" (שָׁמֵם, shamem): This word carries the sense of being appalled, desolate, or left in shock. It highlights the depth of the reaction—people are not just surprised, but deeply disturbed by what has happened.
  • "terror" (בַּלָּהוֹת, ballāhōth): This word means something that causes dread or horror. The fallen ruler becomes a symbol of fear, serving as a warning to others.
  • "never" (אֵין, ’ēn) and "more" (עַד, ‘ad; עוֹלָם, ‘olam): These words together stress the finality—there will be no return or restoration for this ruler, not just for a time, but forever.

Why Ezekiel 28:19 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the judgment on Tyre’s ruler is temporary; the language shows it is total and permanent.
  • The reaction of those who "know" the ruler highlights how unexpected and thorough his downfall will be, underlining the seriousness of pride and arrogance in the wider passage.
  • Ezekiel 28:19 ties together the theme of God’s sovereignty over even the most powerful leaders, showing that no amount of earthly power can prevent God’s judgment.

Where else these words appear

“terror” Hebrew H1091 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 18:11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
  • Job 27:20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
  • Isaiah 17:14 And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

“never” Hebrew H369 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:4 Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
  • Isaiah 40:16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.

“astonished” Hebrew H8074 · used in 87 verses

  • Leviticus 26:22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.
  • Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 27:35 All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance.

“more” Hebrew H5704 · used in 97 verses

  • Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  • 1 Samuel 20:15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
  • Job 18:2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.