Book of Ezekiel Chapter 28 Vs. 5
- lastdays13
- Nov 3, 2025
- 6 min read
Prophecy Against the Prince of Tyre
Eze. 28:5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
By the great...
רֹב
rōḇ: A masculine noun indicating a large number, a great number, an abundance. It is used to indicate that something is numerous, such as people (Gen. 16:10; 30:30); that there is an abundance of something (Gen. 27:28). Preceded by mē (min), it means because of the multitude (Gen. 32:12,13). It is used with various words to form phrases: roḇ dereḵ, a long distance, road (Jos. 9:13); roḇ yāmîm, many days, a long time, etc. (Isa. 24:22). The idiom lāroḇ means in respect to a multitude, a number (Jos. 11:4).
wisdom...
חָכְמָה
ḥoḵmāh: A feminine noun meaning wisdom, skill, experience, shrewdness. This is one of the wisdom words that cluster in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, and other wisdom literature scattered throughout the Old Testament. The high point of this word and its concept is reached in Pro. 8:1, 8:11-12. In Pro. 8:22-31, wisdom is personified. It is God's gracious creation and is thus inherent in the created order. God alone knows where wisdom dwells and where it originates (Job 28:12, 28:20); no other living being possesses this knowledge about wisdom (see Job 28:21). For humans, the beginning of wisdom and the supreme wisdom is to properly fear and reverence God (Job 28:28; Pro. 1:7; cf. Pro. 8:13); God is the master, creator, and giver of wisdom (see Job 28:27; Pro. 8:22-23). He employed wisdom as His master craftsman to create all things (Psm. 104:24; Jer. 10:12). Rulers govern wisely by means of wisdom provided by God (1Kgs. 3:28; cf. Pro. 8:15-16). Wisdom keeps company with all the other virtues: prudence, knowledge, and discretion (Pro. 8:12). The portrayal of wisdom in Pro. 8:22-24 lies behind Paul's magnificent picture of Christ in Col. 1:15-16, for all the treasures of wisdom are lodged in Christ (cf. Col. 2:3).
Wisdom, ordained and created by God, manifests itself in many ways in the created universe. It is expressed as a technical capability (Exo. 28:3; 31:3, 31:6; 1Kgs. 7:14). It becomes evident in experience and prudence as evidenced in a wise woman (2Sam. 20:22) who fears the Lord (see Pro. 31:30) or in a wise king (1Kgs. 2:6). Wisdom in general, and worldly wisdom in particular, was universal to humankind created in the image of God; Babylonians, men of the East, Egyptians, and Edomites could obtain it or be found with it (Isa. 47:10; Jer. 49:7). Wrongly used, however, for self-adulation or self-aggrandizement, this wisdom could be deadly. For unbelievers, wisdom led to piety, holiness, and devotion to the Lord and His will. The psalmist asked God to give him a wise heart (Psm. 90:12). God imparted wisdom to His people by His Spirit (Exo. 31:3), but His Anointed One, the Messiah, the Branch, would have His Spirit rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom (Isa. 11:2), in abundance. Wisdom is also personified as a woman who seeks whoever will come and listen to her, thus receiving a blessing (Pro. 1:20; 2:2; 3:13, 3:19). Wisdom ends its presentation in Proverbs 8 with the striking assertion that all who hate wisdom love death.
and by thy traffick...
רְכֻלָּה
reḵullāh: A feminine noun referring to merchandise, trading. It refers to the material wares traded or to the process of merchandising and trading itself (Ezk. 26:12; 28:5, 28:18).
hast thou increased...
רָבָה
rāḇāh, הַרְבֵּה
harbēh: I. A verb meaning to be many or to become many; to be abundant. It means to become numerous or great: it expresses God's original mandate for humans to multiply on earth (Gen. 1:22, 1:28). It depicts the increase of Israelites in Egypt (Exo. 1:10, 1:12); it refers to an increase in volume, extent, power, or influence (Gen. 7:17-18; Psm. 49:16,17; Dan. 12:4). It is used for both animals and inanimate things (Exo. 11:9; Deu. 7:22; 8:13; Ezk. 31:5). It refers to an increase or multiplication of time: days (Gen. 38:12); years (Pro. 4:10). It indicates in a comprehensive sense God's greatness over humans (Job 33:12). In the intensive or causative stems of the verb, it indicates the increasing or enlarging of someone or something: (Jdg. 9:29; Psm. 44:12,13; Lam. 2:22; Ezk. 19:2). God makes His followers great (2Sam. 22:36; Psm. 18:35,36); the leaders of His people (1Chr. 4:10). He increases in number persons, things (Deu. 17:16; Hos. 2:8,10). Adverbially (especially harbēh), it means to do something, to perform greatly (Amos 4:4). The phrase harbāh ’arbeh means I will increase, multiply greatly (Gen. 3:16; 16:10; 22:17).
II. An adjective indicating to be much or many; to be abundant. It refers to a great number of something (2Sam. 1:4; Jon. 4:11). Used with a preposition and me’oḏ, it means very much (2Chr. 11:12; 16:8; Neh. 5:18). As an adverb, it intensifies, usually used with me’oḏ following, much very, very much . . . (Gen. 41:49; Jos. 13:1; Neh. 2:2), but it is found alone also (2Kgs. 10:18; Ecc. 5:20, 19). It may indicate a great amount of something, much brass (2Sam. 8:8).
III. A verb meaning to shoot an arrow, to deliver it toward its target.
thy riches,...
חַיִל
ḥayil: A masculine noun meaning strength, wealth, army. This word has the basic idea of strength and influence. It can be used to speak of the strength of people (1Sam. 2:4; 9:1; 2Sam. 22:40); of horses (Psm. 33:17); or of nations (Est. 1:3). God is often seen as the supplier of this strength (2Sam. 22:33; Hab. 3:19). When describing men, it can speak of those who are strong for war (Deu. 3:18; 2Kgs. 24:16; Jer. 48:14); able to judge (Exo. 18:21, 18:25); or are righteous in behavior (1Kgs. 1:52). When describing women, it speaks of virtuous character (Ruth 3:11; Pro. 12:4; 31:10). This idea of strength often is used to imply a financial influence (i.e., wealth) (Job. 31:25; Psm. 49:6,7; Zec. 14:14); a military influence (i.e., an army) (Exo. 14:9; 2Chr. 14:8-9; 7-8; Isa. 43:17); or a numerical influence (i.e., a great company) (1Kgs. 10:2; 2Chr. 9:1).
and thine heart...
לֵבָב
lēḇāḇ: A masculine noun meaning heart, mind, inner person. The primary usage of this word describes the entire disposition of the inner person that God can discern (1Sam. 16:7); be devoted to the Lord (1Kgs. 15:3); seek the Lord (2Chr. 11:16); turn against people (Exo. 14:5); be uncircumcised (Lev. 26:41); be hardened (1Sam. 6:6); be totally committed to the Lord (Deu. 6:5; 2Chr. 15:15). It is also used to describe the place where the rational, thinking process occurs that allows a person to know God's blessings (Jos. 23:14); to plan for the future (1Kgs. 8:18); to communicate (2Chr. 9:1); and to understand God's message (Isa. 6:10). Like our English usage, it often refers to the seat of emotions, whether it refers to joy (Deu. 28:47); discouragement (Jos. 2:11); comfort (Jdg. 19:8); grief (1Sam. 1:8); sorrow (Psm. 13:2,3); or gladness (Isa. 30:29).
is lifted up...
גָּבַהּ
gāḇah: A verb meaning to be high, exalted, arrogant. It describes anything that is literally tall or high, such as a tree or vine (Ezk. 19:11); the heavens (Job 35:5; Psm. 103:11; Isa. 55:9), people (1Sam. 10:23). It is used figuratively to refer to persons or things of high or great dignity: God (Isa. 5:16); God's ways (Isa. 55:9); the Servant of the Lord will be high and exalted before Him (Isa. 52:13); kings who are exalted by the Lord (Job 36:7). It refers to pride or being lofty, literally exalted in heart, in either a good sense (2Chr. 17:6) or more often in a bad sense. One can be lofty or haughty (Psm. 131:1; Pro. 18:12). It has the same meaning without being combined with heart (Isa. 3:16; Jer. 13:15; Ezk. 16:50). In certain uses of the word, it means to make high, raise up, or exalt various things: trees (Ezk. 17:24); a wall (2Chr. 33:14); a gate (Pro. 17:19), especially to lift up the humble or lowly (Ezk. 21:26,31) according to God's judgments; flames or sparks of fire (Job. 5:7).
because of thy riches:... see thy riches above.