Ezekiel 26:20

When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;

Ezekiel 26:20 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to Ezekiel’s prophecy against Tyre, a wealthy and proud trading city in modern-day Lebanon. Tyre’s maritime success had made it powerful, but also arrogant. Here God declares that the city will be brought down to the pit, the grave, joining those who have long died.

Meaning

The phrase “bring thee down with them that descend into the pit” pictures Tyre’s destruction as a descent into the realm of the dead. The “people of old time” are the generations long gone, and the “low parts of the earth” and “places desolate of old” emphasize a permanent, forgotten state. The city will no longer be inhabited.

The final clause, “and I shall set glory in the land of the living,” contrasts Tyre’s fate with God’s glory. While Tyre is removed from the living, God’s glory remains among those who live. This is not a promise of Tyre’s restoration, but a declaration that God’s honor will continue in the land of the living.

Biblical connections

The “pit” is a common Old Testament term for the grave or the realm of the dead, as seen in Psalm 28:1 and Isaiah 38:18. The fate of Tyre echoes the judgment on other proud cities, such as Babylon in Isaiah 14, which is also brought down to the pit.

Application

This verse warns against pride and self-reliance. Tyre’s wealth and power did not protect it from God’s judgment. It reminds us that God is sovereign over nations and history, and that He will humble the proud. For the Christian, it calls for humility and trust in God rather than in earthly achievements.

Reflection

God’s glory in the land of the living points to the ultimate victory of His kingdom over all earthly powers. While human pride is brought low, God’s purposes endure. This gives hope that even in judgment, God’s glory is revealed, and His people are called to live in the light of His enduring reign.