Ezekiel 26:17
New International Version
Then they will take up a lament concerning you and say to you: “’How you are destroyed, city of renown, peopled by men of the sea! You were a power on the seas, you and your citizens; you put your terror on all who lived there.

New Living Translation
Then they will wail for you, singing this funeral song: “O famous island city, once ruler of the sea, how you have been destroyed! Your people, with their naval power, once spread fear around the world.

English Standard Version
And they will raise a lamentation over you and say to you, “‘How you have perished, you who were inhabited from the seas, O city renowned, who was mighty on the sea; she and her inhabitants imposed their terror on all her inhabitants!

Berean Standard Bible
Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples!

Berean Literal Bible
And they will take up over you a lamentation, and they will say to you: “How you have perished, one inhabited from the seas, O city renowned, who was strong on the sea—she and those dwelling in her, who gave out their terror to all those dwelling by her!

King James Bible
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!

New King James Version
And they will take up a lamentation for you, and say to you: “How you have perished, O one inhabited by seafaring men, O renowned city, Who was strong at sea, She and her inhabitants, Who caused their terror to be on all her inhabitants!

New American Standard Bible
And they will take up a song of mourning over you and say to you, ‘How you have perished, you inhabited one, From the seas, you famous city, Which was mighty on the sea, She and her inhabitants, Who imposed her terror On all her inhabitants!

NASB 1995
“They will take up a lamentation over you and say to you, ‘How you have perished, O inhabited one, From the seas, O renowned city, Which was mighty on the sea, She and her inhabitants, Who imposed her terror On all her inhabitants!

NASB 1977
“And they will take up a lamentation over you and say to you, ‘How you have perished, O inhabited one, From the seas, O renowned city, Which was mighty on the sea, She and her inhabitants, Who imposed her terror On all her inhabitants!

Legacy Standard Bible
They will take up a lamentation over you and say to you, ‘How you have perished, O inhabited one, From the seas, O city that was praised, Which was strong on the sea, She and her inhabitants, Who imposed her terror On all her inhabitants!

Amplified Bible
They will take up a dirge (funeral poem to be sung) for you and say to you, ‘How you have perished and vanished, O renowned city, From the seas, O renowned city, Which was mighty on the sea, She and her inhabitants, Who imposed her terror On all who lived there!

Berean Annotated Bible
Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples (on all her inhabitants)!

Christian Standard Bible
Then they will lament for you and say of you, ‘How you have perished, city of renown, you who were populated from the seas! She who was powerful on the sea, she and all of her inhabitants inflicted their terror.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they will lament for you and say of you: How you have perished, city of renown, you who were populated from the seas! She who was powerful on the sea, she and all of her inhabitants inflicted their terror.

American Standard Version
And they shall take up a lamentation over thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city, that was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, that caused their terror to be on all that dwelt there!

Contemporary English Version
and sing this funeral song: "The great city beside the sea is destroyed! Its people once ruled the coast and terrified everyone there.

English Revised Version
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which caused their terror to be on all that haunt it!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then they will sing this funeral song for you: Tyre, you famous city, you have been destroyed. You have been shattered by the sea. You and your people ruled the sea. All your people terrified those who lived by the coast.

Good News Translation
They will sing this funeral song for you: The famous city is destroyed! Her ships have been swept from the seas. The people of this city ruled the seas And terrified all who lived on the coast.

International Standard Version
They'll sing this mourning song for you: "How lost you are, you inhabited city, that was built in the middle of the sea! How famous you were! How strong on the sea! She and her inhabitants inflicted terror to everyone who lived within her."

NET Bible
They will sing this lament over you: "'How you have perished--you have vanished from the seas, O renowned city, once mighty in the sea, she and her inhabitants, who spread their terror!

New Heart English Bible
They shall take up a lamentation over you, and tell you, "How you are destroyed, you have vanished from the seas, the renowned city, who was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, who caused their terror to be on all who lived there.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited by sea-faring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, who cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples!

World English Bible
They will take up a lamentation over you, and tell you, “How you are destroyed, who were inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city, who was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, who caused their terror to be on all who lived there!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And have lifted up a lamentation for you, "" And said to you: How you have perished, "" That are inhabited from the seas, "" The praised city, that was strong in the sea, "" She and her inhabitants, "" Who put their terror on all her inhabitants!

Berean Literal Bible
And they will take up over you a lamentation, and they will say to you: “How you have perished, one inhabited from the seas, O city renowned, who was strong on the sea—she and those dwelling in her, who gave out their terror to all those dwelling by her!

Young's Literal Translation
And have lifted up for thee a lamentation, And said to thee: How hast thou perished, That art inhabited from the seas, The praised city, that was strong in the sea, She and her inhabitants, Who put their terror on all her inhabitants!

Smith's Literal Translation
And they lifted up for thee a lamentation, and they said to thee, How wert thou destroyed being inhabited from the seas, the celebrated city which was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants who gave their terrors to all her inhabitants.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And taking up a lamentation over thee, they shall say to thee: How art thou fallen, that dwellest in the sea, renowned city that wast strong in the sea, with thy inhabitants whom all did dread?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And taking up a lamentation over you, they will say to you: ‘How could you have perished, you who live in the sea, the famous city that was strong in the sea, with your inhabitants, of whom the whole world was in dread?’

New American Bible
They will raise lament over you and say to you: How you have perished, gone from the seas, Renowned City! Once she was mighty on the sea, she and her inhabitants, Those who spread their terror to all who dwelt nearby.

New Revised Standard Version
And they shall raise a lamentation over you, and say to you: How you have vanished from the seas, O city renowned, once mighty on the sea, you and your inhabitants, who imposed your terror on all the mainland!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they shall take up lamentations over you, and say to you, How you are destroyed, O you inhabitant of the seas, O fortified city, which was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, who caused their terror to be on all the inhabitants thereof!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they shall lament over you a lamentation and they shall say to you: “How you are destroyed, dweller of the seas, the mighty city that was mighty in the Sea, she and her inhabitants, and all her inhabitants were overthrown!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee: How art thou destroyed, that wast peopled from the seas, The renowned city, That wast strong in the sea, Thou and thy inhabitants, That caused your terror to be On all that inhabit the earth!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and shall say to thee, How art thou destroyed from out of the sea, the renowned city, that brought her terror upon all her inhabitants.

Additional Translations ...



Context
A Prophecy Against Tyre
16All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled over you. 17Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men— she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples! 18Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your downfall; the islands in the sea are dismayed by your demise.” ’…

Cross References
Then they will lament for you, saying,

Ezekiel 27:32
As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament for you: ‘Who was ever like Tyre, silenced in the middle of the sea?

Isaiah 23:1
This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.
“How you have perished,

Ezekiel 28:19
All the nations who know you are appalled over you. You have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’”

Revelation 18:21
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.
O city of renown

Isaiah 23:8
Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose traders are princes, whose merchants are renowned on the earth?

Ezekiel 27:3
Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, that this is what the Lord GOD says: You have said, O Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’
inhabited by seafaring men—

Isaiah 23:2
Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea.

Ezekiel 27:9
The elders of Gebal were aboard as shipwrights, repairing your leaks. All the ships of the sea and their sailors came alongside to barter for your merchandise.
she who was powerful on the sea,

Isaiah 23:11
The LORD has stretched out His hand over the sea; He has made kingdoms tremble. He has given a command that the strongholds of Canaan be destroyed.

Ezekiel 28:2
“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god.
along with her people,

Ezekiel 27:8
The men of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen. Your men of skill, O Tyre, were there as your captains.

Ezekiel 27:27
Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors, captains, and shipwrights, your merchants and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall.
who imposed terror on all peoples!

Joshua 2:9
and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you.

Deuteronomy 11:25
No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you.
Jeremiah 51:41-44
How Sheshach has been captured! The praise of all the earth has been seized. What a horror Babylon has become among the nations! / The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves. / Her cities have become a desolation, a dry and arid land, a land where no one lives, where no son of man passes through. …

Revelation 18:9-19
Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. / In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” / And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo— …


Treasury of Scripture

And they shall take up a lamentation for you, and say to you, How are you destroyed, that were inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which were strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!

take

Ezekiel 19:1,14
Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, …

Ezekiel 27:2,32
Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus; …

Ezekiel 28:12
Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

How art

2 Samuel 1:19,25-27
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! …

Isaiah 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Lamentations 1:1
How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!

seafaring men [heb] the seas

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:

Isaiah 23:4,8
Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins…

Jump to Previous
Cause Caused Causing Citizens City Cut Destroyed Destruction Dwelt Earth Grief Haunt How Inhabit Inhabitants Inhabited Lamentation Mainland Noted Peopled Perished Power Raise Renown Renowned Sea Seafaring Seas Song Strong Terror Vanished Wast
Jump to Next
Cause Caused Causing Citizens City Cut Destroyed Destruction Dwelt Earth Grief Haunt How Inhabit Inhabitants Inhabited Lamentation Mainland Noted Peopled Perished Power Raise Renown Renowned Sea Seafaring Seas Song Strong Terror Vanished Wast
Ezekiel 26
1. Tyrus, for insulting Jerusalem, is threatened with destruction
7. The power of Nebuchadnezzar against her
15. The mourning and astonishment of the sea at her fall












Then they will lament for you, saying,

The nations affected by Tyre’s commerce and influence would mourn her ruin. Her fall would be so great that even those who had benefited from her trade would recognize the loss.

Ezk 27:32 As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament:…
Isa 23:1 This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish,…

“How you have perished,

Tyre’s destruction brought an end to the security and prosperity she had long enjoyed. Though protected by wealth, fortifications, and the sea, she could not escape God’s judgment.

Ezk 28:19 All the nations who know you are appalled over you.…
Rev 18:21 Then a mighty angel picked up a stone…

O city of renown

Tyre was widely known throughout the Mediterranean world for its commercial success, skilled craftsmen, and extensive trading network. Her prominence made her collapse all the more striking.

Isa 23:8 Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns…
Ezk 27:3 Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea,…

inhabited by seafaring men—

Tyre’s people were experienced sailors, merchants, and shipbuilders. Their fleets connected distant lands and made the city a leading maritime power.

Isa 23:2 Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon…
Ezk 27:9 The elders of Gebal were aboard as shipwrights,…

she who was powerful on the sea,

Her island stronghold and naval strength gave Tyre influence over coastal trade and made her appear difficult to conquer. Yet her power on the sea could not preserve her.

Isa 23:11 The LORD has stretched out His hand over the sea;…
Ezk 28:2 Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that the Lord GOD says…

along with her people,

The judgment fell not merely on buildings and ports but on the population whose labor, wealth, and ambitions had sustained the city’s greatness.

Ezk 27:8 The men of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen.…
Ezk 27:27 Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors,…

who imposed terror on all peoples!

Tyre had inspired fear among surrounding peoples through her economic reach and military strength. Her overthrow showed that even a city feared by many nations was subject to the Lord’s judgment.

Jos 2:9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given……
Deu 11:25 No man will be able to stand against you;…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages, including prophecies of judgment and restoration.

2. Tyre
An ancient and prosperous Phoenician city known for its strong maritime trade and influence. It was renowned for its wealth and strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Seafaring Men
The inhabitants of Tyre, known for their skills in navigation and trade across the Mediterranean, contributing to the city's wealth and power.

4. Lament
A traditional expression of mourning or sorrow, often used in the Bible to express grief over the fall of a city or nation.

5. Judgment
The event of God's judgment upon Tyre, as prophesied by Ezekiel, due to its pride and opposition to God's people.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride
Tyre's downfall serves as a warning against pride and self-reliance. Despite its strength and renown, it could not withstand God's judgment.

The Sovereignty of God
God's control over nations and history is evident. He raises and brings down kingdoms according to His purposes.

The Transience of Earthly Power
The lament over Tyre reminds us that worldly power and wealth are temporary and should not be our ultimate pursuit.

The Call to Humility
Believers are encouraged to live humbly, recognizing that all we have is from God and should be used for His glory.

The Importance of Repentance
The judgment on Tyre underscores the need for repentance and turning back to God to avoid similar consequences.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 26:17?

2. How does Ezekiel 26:17 illustrate God's judgment on prideful nations?

3. What lessons can we learn from Tyre's downfall in Ezekiel 26:17?

4. How does Ezekiel 26:17 connect with other biblical prophecies of judgment?

5. How can we apply the warning of Ezekiel 26:17 to modern society?

6. What does "the renowned city" in Ezekiel 26:17 teach about earthly glory?

7. How does Ezekiel 26:17's prophecy about Tyre align with historical and archaeological evidence?

8. Why did God choose to destroy Tyre according to Ezekiel 26:17?

9. What is the significance of the lamentation in Ezekiel 26:17?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 26?


(17) Inhabited of seafaring men.--Rather, in-habited from the sea. The word, which is very common, never bears the sense of men. The thought is that the rock of Tyre, built up with dwellings to the water's edge was like a city rising from the sea.

Which cause their terror.--This clause has occasioned much difficulty. The literal translation is, she and her inhabitants, which gave their fear to all her inhabitants. "Fear" is here used in the sense of that which causes fear; and the meaning is, that the power of Tyre was so feared that every Tyrian was respected for her sake, just as at a later day every Roman bore about with him something of the majesty of Rome, or, as now, the citizen of a great Power is respected among foreigners for his country's sake. (Comp. Ezekiel 32:24; Ezekiel 32:26.)

Verse 17. - Inhabited of seafaring, etc.; Hebrew, from the seas. The sense is the same, but we lose the poetry of the original in the paraphrase. Possibly, however, the phrase may represent the position of Tyro as rising out of the sea or as deriving its wealth from it. Ewald adopts a conjectural reading, which gives "destroyed from the seas;" or, with another conjecture, "She that was settled from the days of the remote past."

Ezekiel 26:17 captures the stunned funeral song of the nations as Tyre—once proud, renowned, and feared—collapses under God’s righteous judgment. Each phrase exposes the fragility of human glory and the certainty of divine justice. Wealth, reputation, skill, and power cannot shield a society that exalts itself against the Lord. The lament of Tyre stands as a sober reminder: only humble obedience secures lasting security, while pride guarantees eventual, unmistakable ruin.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then they will lament
וְנָשְׂא֨וּ (wə·nā·śə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

for you,
עָלַ֤יִךְ (‘ā·la·yiḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

saying,
וְאָ֣מְרוּ (wə·’ā·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“How
אֵ֣יךְ (’êḵ)
Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

you have perished,
אָבַ֔דְתְּ (’ā·ḇaḏt)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

O city
הָעִ֣יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of renown,
הַהֻלָּ֗לָה (ha·hul·lā·lāh)
Article | Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1984: To shine

inhabited
נוֹשֶׁ֖בֶת (nō·wō·še·ḇeṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

by seafaring [men]!
מִיַּמִּ֑ים (mî·yam·mîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

She who
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

was
הָיְתָ֨ה (hā·yə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

powerful
חֲזָקָ֤ה (ḥă·zā·qāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2389: Strong, stout, mighty

on the sea,
בַיָּם֙ (ḇay·yām)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

along with her people,
וְיֹשְׁבֶ֔יהָ (wə·yō·šə·ḇe·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

brought
נָתְנ֥וּ (nā·ṯə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

terror
חִתִּיתָ֖ם (ḥit·tî·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2851: Terror

to all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who lived there.
יוֹשְׁבֶֽיהָ׃ (yō·wō·šə·ḇe·hā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry


Additonal Resources
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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 26:17 They shall take up a lamentation over (Ezek. Eze Ezk)

Ezekiel 26:16
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