Judgment against Tyre (26:1-6) – As we implied with Ammon (25:1-7), Nebuchadnezzar’s role is explicit here. Tyre stands out, like other Phoenician states, representing the Canaanite population before the Israelite arrival. It means “rock” and was an island until deposits connected it to the mainland. Its defenses were never penetrated until Alexander in 332 B.C. Assyria cut o its supply lines, resulting in a truce. Josephus records that Nebuchadnezzar laid seize for 13 years, beginning sometime after the fall of Jerusalem, resulting in a puppet king. Despite surviving for a time, they, with Egypt, would be conquered like Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar is Yahweh’s Agent of Judgment (vv.7-21) – Nebuchadnezzar is Yahweh’s fearsome agent accompanied by his formidable war machine. The villages on the coastland will be conquered with the island capital. The prophet gives a detailed and vivid picture of standard siege and assault practices for a walled city in ancient times. We know that Nebuchadnezzar never carried this out, nor would these tactics work for an island city. But Alexander built a massive mole out to the island to bring the war machines to bear. Is this a problem for those with a high view of the Scripture? Ezekiel is given to hyperbole, which is often not simplistic “history written in advance. A Lament Over Tyre (27:1-36) – The chapter follows a simple outline, with a short preamble and long poetic lament. There is a lament within the lament. There is no indication of a date or setting. It may be an expansion of the brief lament in 26:17-18. In chapter 26, all the sea chiefs loudly lament Tyre’s fall, but the dimensions of the catastrophe are not revealed. In this chapter, the background of that nearly universal mourning is detailed. And in chapter 28, the justi cation for Tyre’s fall is spelled out at length: her hubris at her unrivaled skill and success. But all her expertise and success have not exempted her from divine judgment. Tyre must meet her Judge because she has challenged and denied the one true God, the Lord of history (see Revelation 17–19). Indictment and Judgement of the King of Tyre (28:1-5) – While the message of overwhelming pride resulting in downfall is clear, the details are not. There are strong parallels to the narrative of the Creation and Fall (Gen 1–3) and the high priestly vestments of Ex 28. No parallel Phoenician myths…