Ezekiel 28:1-2

Ezekiel was to speak an oracle to the contemporary leader (Heb. nagid, prince, ruler, king) of Tyre in the Lord’s name, probably King Ethbaal II (also known as Ittobaal II and Ithobalus II, ca. 590-573 B.C.). As usual in political affairs, the king often represents the kingdom he served and even other kings that preceded him who possessed the same characteristics that he did. In this case, a spirit of pride marked the king as well as his nation.

". . . the attack is not so much a personal criticism of the ruler as a verbal onslaught on the state." [Note: Taylor, p. 195.]

While one particular king is in view, we should view him as the representative head of his city-state. Similarly, the President of the United States personifies the policies of this country. We often speak of him when we are referring to the country as a whole. He is uniquely responsible, but he is also a representative figure. The king of Tyre had become very proud because of the prosperity of his seafaring kingdom (cf. 29:3; 2 Kings 18:33-35; Daniel 3:15; Daniel 4:30; Acts 12:21-23). He had even thought he was in God’s place of control over his own and Tyre’s affairs. Ancient Near Easterners often viewed their kings as the embodiment of their gods, and this king appears to have concluded that he was a god. [Note: See John Gray, "Canaanite Kingship in Theory and Practice," Vetus Testamentum 2 (1952):193-200.] Nevertheless he was only a man.

"As probably nowhere else in Scripture, pride is set forth in this chapter as the destroying sin." [Note: Feinberg, p. 165.]