Revealing the Sidon prophecy in Ezekiel 28:20-26 and its Hezbollah connections…
Many of today’s top Bible prophecy experts teach that the next Mideast prophecy to find fulfillment is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. In the process, they overlook the following facts from Ezekiel’s foretellings.
- Fact #1: Apart from Iran, none of Israel’s enemies in modernity, such as the Palestinians, Hezbollah, Syria, Hamas, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt are identified in the Ezekiel 38:1-6 attackers of Israel. Egypt and Jordan have individual treaties with Israel, but according to Jeremiah 49:2-6, Zephaniah 2:8-9 and Isaiah 19:1-18, these are temporary and seemingly won’t last much longer.
- Fact #2: Israel of today doesn’t find itself in the required precondition described in Ezekiel 38:11, which is “a land of unwalled villages;… a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.” Israel has walls and checkpoints internally, as well as numerous border walls externally that are put in place to protect the Jewish state from their evil Arab neighbors listed above in Fact #1.
- Fact #3: The vastly overlooked prophecy in Ezekiel 28:20-26 seemingly precedes Ezekiel 38 and 39. It is only after these Ezekiel 28 verses happen that the preconditions in Fact #2 can be achieved.
This article takes an in-depth look at Ezekiel 28:20-26 and provides a shocking new prophetic revelation that likely identifies Hezbollah in this passage. Moreover, Hezbollah seems to appear also In Psalm 83, which finds a connection with Ezekiel 28:24-26.
Is Hezbollah in Bible Prophecy?
“Nasrallah Says Hezbollah Is ‘Committed to Fighting Israel Until It Is Off the Map‘” (Haaretz – 2/13/24)
Hezbollah is in the news, but are they also in the Bible? Could they even be identified in Bible prophecy? I believe the answer is yes! There are three modern-day cities in Lebanon that show up in two unfulfilled ancient prophecies. This article will explore these potential biblical predictions.
Who’s Hezbollah?
Hezbollah, which in Arabic means “the party of god,” emerged during Lebanon’s civil war as a militia after the Israeli invasion of that country in 1982. Since the 2000s it has been one of the foremost political forces in Lebanon. Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group, led since 1992 by its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
The USA and EU have designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. It is the strongest proxy of Iran and is committed to the destruction of Israel and establishment of a Palestinian state in replacement. Its armed strength is assessed to be equivalent to that of a medium-sized army that possesses approximately 200,000 rockets.
“Hezbollah has up to 200,000 rockets aimed at Israel, INSS assesses” (Jerusalem Post – 10/23/23)
Between July 12 to August 14, 2006, Hezbollah launched over 4,000 missiles into northern Israel causing many Israelis to seek refuge in bomb shelters. Presently, Israel is concerned that Hezbollah could fire a salvo of 6,000 rockets daily into the Jewish State.
“Predicted scenario: 6,000 rockets at Israel during first days of war with Hezbollah”
“Israel’s defense establishment is preparing for the worst-case scenario during a war on the northern border, which would include days-long blackouts, hundreds dead, and thousands wounded…In such a scenario, over the course of one day of battle, Israel would have to contend with thousands of rockets fired, and within the first few days, about 6,000 rockets would be launched at the Jewish state. As time progresses, the number would decline to about only 1,500 to 2,000 rockets a day.
Security experts estimate that every day, there will be approximately 1,500 effective strikes in Israeli territory, and that is after subtracting rockets that statistically land in open areas and interceptions by the Iron Dome system…” (INN – 7/23/23)
On October 8, 2023, operating in solidarity with Hamas, who had massacred 1200 Israelis and abducted 250 hostages the day prior, Hezbollah began launching missiles into northern Israel. As of June 27, 2024, there have been at least 7,400 cross border attacks between both sides. This burgeoning conflict has necessitated the evacuation of approximately 80,000 Israelis living in northern Israel.
“Israel Emptied Its North. Now Officials Fear Evacuees Won’t Return Home After the War”
“Nearly 80,000 people living near the Lebanese border were evacuated or fled during the Gaza war; only 60 percent of them are sure they want to return, according to a survey.” (Haaretz – 1/23/24)
As I pen this article, Israel and Hezbollah are gearing up for a full-scale war against each other.
“Israel ready for ‘all-out war’ in Lebanon”
“The Israeli military says its Northern Command has approved operational plans for war with Lebanon.” (Al Jazeera – 6/19/24)
“Strikes on Haifa and Tel Aviv: Hezbollah’s plan of attack if war erupts with Israel” (Jerusalem Post (JP) – 6/20/24)
The Three Cities In Two Future Hezbollah Prophecies
Hezbollah is based out of Lebanon so if they are identified in ancient foretellings, it would be under the banners of either Lebanon, Tyre, Sidon or Gebal. It’s important to note that the ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon still exist today. They are both coastal cities in Southern Lebanon, with Sidon being located 24 miles north of Tyre, which is 12 miles north of Israel. These two sister cities appear together in seventeen verses in the Bible. Thus, they are essentially joined at the hip when it comes to historical and prophetical accounts.
Listed in the likely chronological order of future events are the three potential Hezbollah prophecies.
Hezbollah Prophecy #1: Involves Sidon as city #1 in Ezekiel 28:20-26
The first Hezbollah prophecy involves Sidon. Sidon or Saida is the third-largest city in Lebanon. Hezbollah has a sizeable footprint in Sidon. It is a primary location of the Lebanese Resistance Brigades. These brigades,
• are a paramilitary group founded by Hezbollah in 1997.
• have recently resurfaced after October 8, 2023, as participants in Hezbollah’s war with Israel.
• composed of Sunni Muslims and non-practicing Shias.
• created to increase the manpower of anti-Israeli forces.
• exist to deny Israel freedom of movement in non-Shia areas including Sidon. The overwhelming majority of Sidon’s population belong to the Sunni sect of Islam.
(Image below taken from Wikipedia: Lebanese Resistance Brigades)
Moreover, these brigades fought in over 300 operations against Israel from 1998 to 2000. They also fought in the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Subsequently, the brigades provided logistical support to Hezbollah during the Syrian Civil War between 2011-2020. By 2009, the group mainly comprised Sunni Hezbollah supporters from Sidon. The headline below points out that these brigades have recently resurfaced and are actively participating in the ongoing border clashes between Israel-Lebanon.
“Who Are the ‘Resistance Brigades,’ the Hezbollah-allied Sunni militia?”
“This Hezbollah-Founded movement has recently resurfaced, participating in the front that opened in southern Lebanon on Oct. 7.” (L’ORIENT TODAY – 10/30/2023)
The Wikipedia image shows that Sidon is an active region for the paramilitary activities of these resistance brigades. Their threatening existence in Sidon, is likely why Israel has attacked Hezbollah’s infrastructure near this historic city.
“IDF strikes Hezbollah arms depots deep inside Lebanon after drone attack on north”
“The Israel Defense Forces on Monday afternoon struck what it said were two weapon depots belonging to the Hezbollah terror group near Lebanon’s southern coastal city of Sidon.” (Times of Israel 2/19/24)
“Israeli strikes hit factories near southern Lebanon city of Sidon”
“Israeli Army Radio also confirmed that “the army targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the Ghaziyeh attack near Sidon.” (Arab News 02/20/2024)
“As Israel strikes all around it, fear rises in Lebanon’s Sidon”
“Reeling from successive crises, the people of Sidon worry that the next one could come in the form of Israeli bombs… Many in Sidon also wonder if Israel’s war will hit their shops and homes as towns on either side of the city have been hit by Israeli airstrikes or drone attacks.” (Al Jazeera 3/1/24)
In light of Hezbollah’s growing footprint in Sidon, will this provoke Israel to target Sidon should an all-out war breakout in Southern Lebanon? If so, could that fulfill a 2600-year-old prophecy written by the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel?
The Prophecy Against Sidon (Ezekiel 28:20-26)
“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; And they shall know that I am the Lord, When I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her.” (Ezekiel 28:20-22 NKJV)
In this opening passage, Ezekiel informs us two times that the Lord God is “against” Sidon and as a result He will execute judgments upon this historic city. The judgments will serve to glorify the Lord in a manner that onlookers will realize that He’s the Holy God. The New Living Translation states,
“When I bring judgment against you (Sidon) and reveal my holiness among you, everyone watching will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezek. 28:21)
Next, Ezekiel will provide us with the manner and extent of the judgments.
“For I will send pestilence upon her, And blood in her streets; The wounded shall be judged in her midst By the sword against her on every side; Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 28:23)
Sidon will be involved in a devastating conflict, “by the sword,” which fills her streets with the blood of the slaughtered and wounded. The sword is often used as a biblical typology for war. The city will be attacked “on every side.” The NLT says, “The attack will come from every direction, and your people will lie slaughtered within your walls.”
This verse concludes by repeating the detail that the defeated Sidonians will know that the Lord is the Holy God. In the ensuing verse, we are given the reason for the Lord’s anger toward Sidon and why the war must happen.
“And there shall no longer be a pricking brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who are around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 28:24)
Sidon is part of a group of surrounding Arab states that despise Israel. These surrounding Arabs are a painful thorn in Israel’s side. Their hatred of Israel manifests into hostilities that Ezekiel likens to a “pricking briar” that hedges Israel in on all sides.
These surrounding peoples share common borders with Israel. Collectively they seemingly represent:
- The confederacy of Psalm 83, that seeks to wipe Israel off of the map.
“They have said,“ Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more. For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You.”” (Psalm 83:4-5)
- The neighboring nations in Zechariah 12:2-6 who will attempt a final siege on Judah and Jerusalem.
“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 12:2)
“In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 12:6)
According to Ezekiel 28:25-26, the judgment upon Sidon seems to be the first in a series of successive judgments against the pricking briar nations surrounding Israel.
‘Thus says the Lord God: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God.” ’ (Ezekiel 28:25-26)
This above passage informs that the Lord will reshape the landscape of the Mideast, by eliminating the entire pricking briar surrounding Israel. Starting with Sidon, additional judgments come upon “all those around them who despise them,” “them” alluding to Israel.
Only when the pricking briar is removed can Israel truly dwell safe and secure and continue to “build houses, and plant vineyards.” At present, Israel is prevented from building and planting in the northern part of the country due to the constant barrage of Hezbollah rocket attacks. In fact, Hezbollah is starting fires in the north, which hinders Israel’s construction and agriculture industries.
“Fires have become the most visible sign of the conflict heating up on the Lebanon-Israel border”
“Since May, (2024), Hezbollah strikes have resulted in 8,700 hectares (about 21,500 acres) burned in northern Israel, according to Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority.” (AP – 7/4/24)
It’s important to note that four times in Ezekiel 28:22,23,24,26 it states, “Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” The first three uses primarily refer to the pricking briar Arabs. The first time it’s the Sidonians, then the next two includes Sidon and all the Arabs around Israel. When they are judged, they will know that the God of the Bible is superior to their false god Allah. The fourth use regards Israel. Ezekiel 24:26 concludes with,
“When I execute judgments on all those (pricking briar Arabs) around them who despise them. Then they (Israel) shall know that I am the Lord their God.”
This language that, “Then they shall know that I am the Lord,” is akin to Ezekiel 39:7 that declares,
“So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.”
Ezekiel 39:7 starts with the word “So.” Thus it could read, “So, after the Lord supernaturally defeats Gog of Magog invaders in Ezekiel 38:18-39:6, the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.” This is not necessarily salvation knowledge, but rather an awareness knowledge. Similarly, this awareness knowledge is found in the four Ezekiel 28:22,23,24,26 verses.
God’s fingerprints will be conspicuous in both Ezekiel 28 and 38 and in the aftermath of these prophecies, they, especially the participants, will be put on official notice that the God of the Bible is the one true God. What has been foretold by God in Ezekiel 28 and 38 will come to fruition and when it does, it will leave no doubt that He is the Lord.
With the pricking briar removed, Israel will find itself in a conditions described in Ezekiel 38:7, which is “a land of unwalled villages;… a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, having neither gates nor bars.”
This is the similar scenario mentioned in Ezekiel 28:25-26, meaning that until Ezekiel 28:20-26 finds fulfillment Ezekiel 38 can’t happen.
There are numerous commentaries that teach Ezekiel 28:20-24 happened historically. The dominant view teaches that the Sidon prophecy was fulfilled during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. I will conclude this article by presenting and refuting this view.
Hezbollah Prophecy #2: Involves Gebal and Tyre as cities #2 and #3 in Psalm 83:7
This section will combine Hezbollah prophecies #2 and #3 because the two subject Lebanese cities, Gebal and Tyre, are found together in the prophecy. Tyre is still known by its historical name, but Gebal is believed to be the modern-day city of Byblos, also known as Jebeil. It is located approximately fifty miles north of Sidon. Like Tyre and Sidon, it is also a coastal city in Lebanon.
The Sidon prophecy seemingly segues into the Psalm 83 war prophecy. Sidon gets judged first in Ezekiel 28:20-23 and then all those other countries around Israel are likewise judged as per Ezekiel 28:24-26. Sidon is not included in the Arab confederacy of Psalm 83, which is probably because Sidon is likely destroyed just prior.
Psalm 83 is a prophecy involving a ten-member Arab confederacy of nations and terrorist organizations existing within them, that seeks to wipe Israel off of the map. Their primary goal is to destroy the Jewish state and replace it with another Arab state, namely Palestine.
(Psalm 83) The plan of the confederacy
“They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: (Psalm 83:3-5)
(Psalm 83) The identities of the confederates
“The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah” (Psalm 83:6-8)
(Psalm 83) The goal of the confederacy
“Who said, “Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession.” (Psalm 83:12)
 These passages above identifies the confederates by their ancient names. The image below lists who these Psalm 83 populations probably represent today.
The image clearly describes the assortment of surrounding Arab nations and terrorist groups that have been a pricking prior since Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948. A couple of important observations are:
- Tyre is identified as the “inhabitants of Tyre.” Apart from the “tents of Edom,” this is the only other confederate member listed in a habitation condition. The “tents of Edom” likely represent the Palestinian refugees. Many of the Palestinians have descended from the ancient Edomites.
Concerning the “inhabitants of Tyre,” the Hebrew word for inhabitants is Yashab and it can mean, people who were set into place and enthroned and empowered to inhabit a location. This might allude to the emergence of Hezbollah, who are a people that Iran put into place and empowered as their Lebanese proxy.
- It’s worth noting that the “inhabitants of Tyre” are listed directly alongside Philistia in the prophecy. “Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre.” Philistia represents the Gaza Strip, which is where the Hamas is based. Hamas is another Iranian proxy. Gebal is also listed in the same verse with Philistia and Tyre.
 Pairing Gebal and Tyre together suggests that not on).y southern Lebanon (Tyre), but northern Lebanon (Gebal) are joined in an attempt to destroy Israel.
(Picture of a Palestinian refugee camp in 1949).
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For more information about Psalm 83, I recommend my book that provides an exhaustive study on the prophecy entitled, Psalm 83, The Missing Prophecy Revealed. The book also has two teaching DVDs that are available separately or in a bundle discount.
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Some teach that Psalm 83 is simple a prayer and not a prophecy. Others believe it has already been fulfilled. I rebut these arguments in a short online YouTube video you can watch entitled, “Why Psalm 83 is an unfulfilled and standalone prophecy.” You can also read my article entitled, “Why Psalm 83 is a Prayer and a Future War Prophecy.”
Since these resources are already available, I won’t take any time to address any Psalm 83 objections in this article, however the Sidon prophecy in Ezekiel 28:20-26 is likely new to you and the commentaries need to be presented and rebutted.
Was the Sidon Prophecy in Ezekiel 28:20-26 Historically Fulfilled?
Most every commentary in existence states that this Sidon prophecy has already happened in history. The dominant view is that the foretelling found fulfillment during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon.
Recalling the Purposes of the Sidon Judgment
Before addressing this historical fulfillment view it’s important to be mindful of the reasons for and the results from the Sidon prophecy. In so doing, we can accurately assess if this historical Babylonian account actually fulfilled all the details of this prophecy.
The reasons for: Remember that two times in Ezekiel 28:20-21 declares that God is “against” Sidon. But why? Ezekiel 28:24-26 tells us that Sidon is one of Israel’s neighbors that is a pricking briar and painful thorn to the existence of the Jewish state. These evil neighbors despise Israel and stand in the way of them expanding into safe dwelling, house building and vineyard planting nation.
This has nothing to do with idolatry, which is what some commentaries suggest. Yes, throughout much of Sidon’s history it was an idolatrous city. A case in point is that three hundred years prior to Ezekiel’s existence, Jezebel the Phoenician Princess of Sidon was spreading her idolatrous practices into Israel and throughout the region, but this is not why Ezekiel says the Lord is against Sidon.
The results from: Sidon will be soundly defeated in a military conflict that sends pestilence upon her, blood in her streets and the wounded in her midst. When it’s all over Ezekiel pronounces four times, “Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”
Now let’s see if the historical accounts include the reasons for and the results from Sidon’s judgment.
The King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon Argument
The Geneva Study Bible is one source that advocates that Nebuchadnezzar fulfilled the Sidon prophecy. It says,
“For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD… That is Nebuchadnezzar.”[i]
Henry H. Halley (1874-1965) is another commentary supporting the Nebuchadnezzar view. He states on page 390 of his book entitled, Halley’s Bible Handbook that,
“Chapter 28: 20-24. The overthrow of Sidon, 20 miles north of Tyre. It was taken by Nebuchadnezzar when he took Tyre.”
Warren W. Wiersbe, who lived between 1929-2019, also believes that Ezekiel 28:20-24 was fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar during the Babylonian period.
“The people of Sidon despised the Jews and often caused trouble for them, but now that opposition would end. “They shall know that I am the Lord God” ( Ezek. 28:24). Ezekiel makes the startling statement that God would be glorified in destruction of the city ( v. 22; see 39:12-13). How could the Lord be glorified by such carnage? Because it would demonstrate His Holiness in rejecting false gods and punishing sin. The swords of the Babylonian soldiers would kill many of the people, and those who escape would die of the plagues that often accompany wartime slaughter.”[ii]
Wiersbe says, “Sidon despised the Jews,” and God would, “demonstrate His Holiness in rejecting false gods and punishing sin.” He teaches that Sidon’s judgment would root out idolatry and in the process demonstrate God’s Holiness. He also says, “Babylonian soldiers would kill many… and… those who escape would die of the plagues.”
Are the Geneva Study Bible, Halley’s Bible Handbook and The Wiersbe Bible Commentary of the Old Testament correct that the Sidon prophecy has already happened in history? Did this historical episode fulfill all of the details of Sidon’s judgment?
First, let’s look at what God offered to Sidon before Nebuchadnezzar II attacked. Ezekiel’s contemporary Jeremiah provides the details. I have highlighted in bold the Sidon related parts.
“Thus says the Lord to me (Jeremiah): ‘Make for yourselves bonds and yokes, and put them on your neck, and send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. And command them to say to their masters, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel—thus you shall say to your masters: ‘I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him. So all nations shall serve him and his son and his son’s son, until the time of his land comes; and then many nations and great kings shall make him serve them. And it shall be, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and which will not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish,’ says the Lord, ‘with the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand. Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon.” For they prophesy a lie to you, to remove you far from your land; and I will drive you out, and you will perish. But the nations that bring their necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let them remain in their own land,’ says the Lord, ‘and they shall till it and dwell in it.’ ” ’ ”” (Jeremiah 27:1-11, NKJV; emphasis added)
Jeremiah was given a warning message for the kings of Sidon along with Edom, Moab, Ammon and Tyre through their ambassadors who had come to see King Zedekiah of Judah. They came in the aftermath of Nebuchadnezzar’s first of three conquests of Judah. The first conquest was in 597 BC and that opened the door for Zedekiah to become Judah’s king.
Apparently, these ambassador’s came to inquire of Jeremiah about the futures of their respective territories. God issued them all a warning followed by a merciful offer through Jeremiah. The warning was, “I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon.”
The offer was, “But the nations that bring their necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let them remain in their own land,’ says the Lord, ‘and they shall till it and dwell in it.”
In other words, resist and be destroyed, or submit and be sustained. First note that, these ambassadors did not come as pricking briars or painful thorns to Israel, rather they apparently came in a friendly diplomatic effort to find out their territorial futures. Thus, they are not being faulted for this as Judah’s foes.
Note that they came to Judah, but Ezekiel 28:20-26 is dealing with all of Israel, not just isolating Judah. Moreover, Ezekiel 28:25 requires that it’s the “house of Israel” that is regathered “from the peoples among whom they are scattered.” It is after a regathering that Sidon becomes a pricking briar. This fact alone rules out the argument that the Sidon judgment happened during the time of Nebuchadnezzar.
Why? Because there was no regathering of Jews from outside nations prior to Nebuchadnezzar’s time. Also, the historical accounts of Sidon’s interactions with Nebuchadnezzar suggest that Sidon did heed Jeremiah’s warning and submitted to Babylon.
Below is a comment from the Pulpit Commentary Homiletics by W. Jones under the title of, “God Glorified In The Execution Of Judgment Ezekiel 28:20-24.”
“I will send into her pestilence, and blood in her streets; and the wounded shall fall in the midst of her, with the sword upon her on every side” (Ver. 23). This judgment by pestilence and sword call hardly be said to have been executed in the invasion by Nebuchadnezzar, seeing that Zidon submitted to him apparently without offering any serious resistance.”[iii]
W. Jones writes, “Zidon submitted to him apparently without offering any serious resistance.” This is in line with the historical account below from the Associates for Biblical Research.
“Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, besieged Tyre for 13 years (585-572 BC), but the precise historical facts of its outcome are still unclear. He evidently did not conquer the city, but it may have surrendered conditionally to him. Both Jeremiah (27:3-11) and Ezekiel (26:7-14) spoke of this event. Apparently both Tyre and Sidon surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar, based on a fragmentary Babylonian administrative document which mentions the kings of Tyre and Sidon as receiving rations from the royal Babylonian household (Pritchard 1969a: 308).” [iv]
Thus, there is no evidence that my research team has found that supports the historical fulfillment of a bloody military attack upon the people of Sidon by Nebuchadnezzar II in fulfillment of Ezekiel 28:23. Neither is there any biblical backing for the following.
- At that time, Sidon, Tyre, Edom, Moab and Ammon were not a pricking briar to Israel. Babylon, not these other territories and peoples, was the primary thorn in Israel’s side.
- Up to that time there was no regathering of Jews from the nations required by Ezekiel 28:25-26.
- In stark contrast to Jeremiah 27:1-11, Ezekiel 28:20-26 does not offer Sidon an option to avoid impending judgment. Ezekiel isn’t presenting Sidon with a get-out-of-jail-free card, like Jeremiah did. Ezekiel proclaims Sidon, as part of pricking briar, is going directly into judgment.
Conclusion:
It appears that Ezekiel 28:20-26 describes future prophecies that may involve the Hezbollah terrorist group. Moreover, the fulfillment of these Ezekiel 28 prophecies and the Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12:2-6 prophecies enable Israel to dwell securely, which sets the stage for the Ezekiel 38 prophecies to follow on the heels.
When Ezekiel 28:20-26 happens, Sidon and their pricking briar neighbor allies will know that the God of the Bible is the Lord and one true God. This spiritual realization by these Arabs is exactly what Asaph the author of Psalm 83 requests.
“O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like the chaff before the wind! As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire, So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm. Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O Lord. Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:13-18, NKJV; emphasis added)
[i] Geneva Study Bible: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gsb/ezekiel/28.htm
[ii] The Wiersbe Bible Commentary Old Testament, by Warren W. Wiersbe 2007, Page 1319.
[iii] W. Jones commentary: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/homiletics/ezekiel/28.htm.
[iv] Quote from: https://biblearchaeology.org/research/divided-kingdom/4180-the-biblical-cities-of-tyre-and-sidon. |
