Ezekiel 28:23 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 28:23 mean?

Ezekiel 28:23 describes God’s warning that He will send disease and violence into a city, filling its streets with blood and wounded people, so that everyone will recognize His authority as the LORD. The verse promises judgment through pestilence, bloodshed, and the sword on every side, making it clear that these disasters are a sign of God’s power.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to announce judgment against the city of Tyre. The situation is one of warning: Tyre’s pride and wrongdoing have led to this declaration of coming disaster. The verse emphasizes that the purpose of these harsh events is so that people will know that the LORD (Yahweh) is truly God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 28:23

• "send" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word often means to actively dispatch or release something. Here, it shows that the disasters are not random but are deliberately allowed or caused by God.
• "pestilence" (דֶּבֶר, dever): This refers to a deadly disease or plague, highlighting the seriousness of the judgment.
• "judged" (נָפַל, naphal): The word literally means "to fall," but in this context, it is used for those who are struck down or killed, not a legal judgment.
• "know" (יָדַע, yada): This word means more than just intellectual knowledge; it points to a deep recognition or acknowledgment of God’s identity and authority.

Why Ezekiel 28:23 matters

• This verse clarifies that the disasters coming upon Tyre are not accidental but are presented as direct acts of God’s judgment, not just natural events.
• The use of "know that I am the LORD" ties this verse to a major theme in Ezekiel, where God’s actions are meant to reveal His true nature and authority to people who have ignored or opposed Him.
• Understanding the original words helps readers see that the focus is on God’s deliberate action and the resulting recognition of His sovereignty, not just on the suffering itself.