Ezekiel 29:18-19
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The text vividly portrays Nebuchadnezzar's army enduring extreme hardship, with "every head made bald, and every shoulder rubbed bare," not from years of wearing helmets, but from the grueling labor of building siege works, like constructing a causeway. What's easy to miss is that despite this immense effort and suffering, the "wages" – the spoils of war – were minimal because the wealthy Tyrians had wisely moved their valuables away before the city ultimately fell.
“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was rubbed bare, yet neither he nor his army got anything from Tyre to pay for the labor that he had performed against her. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the immense hardship Nebuchadnezzar's army endured during their grueling thirteen-year siege of Tyre. Despite their relentless efforts, including building massive siege works that wore down their bodies, they gained little to show for their toil. The Tyrians, foreseeing the eventual fall of their city, managed to evacuate their wealth by sea, leaving Nebuchadnezzar and his soldiers without the expected spoils or reward for their immense sacrifice.
Imagine dedicating thirteen years of your life to a single mission, enduring unimaginable hardship. What does it mean when that mission yields no tangible reward?
Ezekiel 29:18 paints a vivid picture of the sheer physical cost of ancient siege warfare. Nebuchadnezzar's army labored relentlessly against Tyre, a formidable island city.
Grueling Labor
The verse states, "Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was rubbed bare." This wasn't just hyperbole; it was the reality of their work. Soldiers carried massive loads of earth, stone, and timber to build siege ramps and causeways, attempting to bridge the gap between the mainland and the island fortress. The constant friction of helmets or burdens on their heads and shoulders stripped away hair and skin, leaving them raw and battered.
A Costly Mission
This intense labor was performed for thirteen years. The sheer duration and difficulty speak to the desperation and determination involved. It highlights the immense sacrifice required from those in military service, often bearing burdens unseen by those they serve.
Why would God use a powerful king like Nebuchadnezzar, only to highlight his lack of reward? This verse reveals a deeper divine purpose at play.
While Nebuchadnezzar was driven by his own ambitions for conquest and plunder, the prophet Ezekiel reveals that his grueling campaign against Tyre served a higher purpose.
Ask a follow-up
A Service to God
The commentaries suggest that Nebuchadnezzar's service, though he was likely unaware of it, was a 'service to God.' God uses even pagan kings and their armies as instruments to carry out His judgments and plans in history. Nebuchadnezzar, as a mighty world power, was God's chosen agent to challenge Tyre's arrogance and influence.
The Unseen Wages
Yet, the verse starkly states, 'neither he nor his army got anything from Tyre to pay for the labor that he had performed against her.' This doesn't necessarily mean the siege was a complete failure in capturing the city itself (historical accounts suggest it was eventually taken, though perhaps not the original mainland settlement). Instead, it means the spoils—the riches and compensation expected from conquering such a wealthy city—were minimal. The Tyrians, having ample warning, had moved their valuables by sea. Nebuchadnezzar's ultimate reward wasn't the treasure of Tyre, but fulfilling God's decree against her, a reward he likely never recognized.
Understand the original words
ben adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A prophetic title for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity in contrast to the divine majesty of God. It highlights the prophet's role as a humble messenger receiving divine revelation.
abodah · Hebrew Noun
The act of working, striving, or enduring hardship. Biblically, it can refer to physical toil, military service, or the dedicated effort invested in fulfilling a task.
sakar · Hebrew Noun
Something given in exchange for work, service, or as a reward. In a theological sense, it often denotes divine recompense, whether for righteous deeds or, as in this context, as an instrument of God's providence.
shalal · Hebrew Verb
To strip, spoil, or take away forcibly. It implies the total acquisition of goods or territory, often occurring during conquest as a form of divine judgment or recompense.
This verse highlights how even powerful conquerors like Nebuchadnezzar, who were instruments of God's judgment, might not always receive the personal reward or spoil they expected for their immense efforts.
c. 586 BC
Siege of Tyre begins
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon commenced a lengthy siege of the island-city of Tyre, lasting thirteen years. This happened two years after the destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 573 BC— this verse
Siege of Tyre ends
After thirteen years of intense labor, Nebuchadnezzar's army finally conquered Tyre. However, the city's inhabitants managed to escape with most of their wealth to a nearby island colony, leaving little spoil for the Babylonian army.
c. 562 BC
Death of Nebuchadnezzar II
Nebuchadnezzar II, the king who led the siege of Tyre, died. His long reign was marked by extensive military campaigns and building projects across the Babylonian Empire.
This passage describes God's judgment against Tyre, highlighting its pride and eventual downfall, providing context for why Nebuchadnezzar was used as an instrument of God's wrath, even if he didn't receive the spoils he expected.
Jeremiah 25:9This verse directly states that Nebuchadnezzar is God's servant, sent to conquer and bring judgment upon nations, which includes Tyre, explaining the divine purpose behind his immense labor.
Daniel 4:22This passage speaks of Nebuchadnezzar's greatness and dominion, showing him as a powerful ruler appointed by God to execute His will, aligning with his role in the costly siege of Tyre.
Proverbs 16:4This proverb states that the Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble, which resonates with Nebuchadnezzar's harsh labor against Tyre being part of God's larger, often mysterious, plan.
barnesEzekiel 29:18: "Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:"
Yet had he no wages - It is not improbable that the Tyrians before they surrendered their island-citadel managed to remove much of their treasure; but others exlplain the verse; that the siege and capture of Tyre is to be regarded as…
pulpitEzekiel 29:18: "Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:"
Verse 18. - Nebuchadnezzar, etc. The words carry us to the close of the thirteen years' siege of Tyre referred to in the notes on Ezekiel 28, and enable us to refer the commencement of that siege to the fourteenth year of Jehoiachin'…
The text vividly portrays Nebuchadnezzar's army enduring extreme hardship, with "every head made bald, and every shoulder rubbed bare," not from years of wearing helmets, but from the grueling labor of building siege works, like constructing a causeway. What's easy to miss is that despite this immense effort and suffering, the "wages" – the spoils of war – were minimal because the wealthy Tyrians had wisely moved their valuables away before the city ultimately fell.
This passage describes the immense hardship Nebuchadnezzar's army endured during their grueling thirteen-year siege of Tyre. Despite their relentless efforts, including building massive siege works that wore down their bodies, they gained little to show for their toil. The Tyrians, foreseeing the eventual fall of their city, managed to evacuate their wealth by sea, leaving Nebuchadnezzar and his soldiers without the expected spoils or reward for their immense sacrifice.
This passage describes the immense hardship Nebuchadnezzar's army endured during their grueling thirteen-year siege of Tyre. Despite their relentless efforts, including building massive siege works that wore down their bodies, they gained little to show for their toil. The Tyrians, foreseeing the eventual fall of their city, managed to evacuate their wealth by sea, leaving Nebuchadnezzar and his soldiers without the expected spoils or reward for their immense sacrifice.
"“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was rubbed bare, yet neither he nor his army got anything from Tyre to pay for the labor that he had performed…" — The text vividly portrays Nebuchadnezzar's army enduring extreme hardship, with "every head made bald, and every shoulder rubbed bare," not from years of wearing helmets, but from the grueling labor…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
