For thus says the Lord GOD: Since this clause introduces some of the ideas mentioned in verses 3-6, the Hebrew word ki rendered For is probably an emphatic particle here, so it is better translated “Surely” or “Indeed.” Many translations omit it (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). For thus says the Lord GOD, see Ezek 26.3.

For Behold see Ezek 26.3.

I will bring upon Tyre from the north Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon: God will send King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia to attack Tyre. This is the first time that the name of this king is mentioned explicitly in Ezekiel. Even though his name is spelled Nebuchadrezzar here in the Hebrew text, we prefer the more common spelling “Nebuchadnezzar.” He was the king of Babylon, that is, the country of “Babylonia” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version; see the comments on 12.13). He will attack Jerusalem from the north. Although Babylonia was located east of Israel, there was a large desert between the two countries that prevented direct travel between them. Instead travelers and armies had to follow the Euphrates River northwest from Babylonia and come down into Israel through Syria from the north. The north was the traditional direction from which the danger of attack on Jerusalem was expected (compare Jer 1.13).

King of kings may be rendered “the greatest king of all” (Good News Translation, New International Reader’s Version) or “the world’s most powerful king” (Contemporary English Version).

With horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a host of many soldiers describes the large army Nebuchadnezzar will bring with him. For horses see 17.15; for chariots see 23.24. The Hebrew word for horsemen probably refers to “cavalry troops” (Contemporary English Version), that is, soldiers who ride and fight on horseback (compare 23.6). “Soldiers on horses” is one way to express it. A host of many soldiers refers to many other soldiers.

Good News Translation reorders this verse to make it more natural in English. Another possible model is:

• Indeed, the Lord Yahweh says, “I am going to cause the king of Babylonia, Nebuchadnezzar, to attack Tyre from the north. He is the greatest king, and he will attack with a large army, including horses, war chariots, and soldiers on horses.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .