יחזקאל, פרק כ״ו, פסוק כ׳

The absolute and permanent downfall of the proud city of Tyre stands as a stark reversal of fortune. Having sought to build its own success on the ruins of another, the city ultimately finds itself condemned to eternal desolation. This tragic end is sharply contrasted with the restoration of Jerusalem, highlighting a dramatic shift where the oppressor falls forever while the oppressed rises to renewed glory.

The collapse of Tyre is depicted as a deep plunge into the lowest depths. The primary approach among commentators understands this as a descent into the grave and the world of the dead, where the city joins those who perished and turned to dust long ago [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others emphasize a spiritual descent, suggesting the city is cast down into hell alongside ancient idolaters [רש״י]. A third perspective focuses on Tyre's geographical identity as a port city. In this view, the descent represents sinking into the dark depths of the sea, joining the generation of the Flood or others who drowned in ancient times [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. The repeated imagery of going down into the pit serves as a poetic device to emphasize the sheer intensity of this destruction [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].

The resulting devastation leaves ruins that resemble the remains of ancient, forever-destroyed cities like Sodom and Gomorrah [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, it becomes a completely desolate space at the bottom of the ocean, devoid of any human presence [אברבנאל]. The ultimate purpose of this total destruction is to ensure the city will never be inhabited or rebuilt again. Unlike past historical events where Tyre managed to recover from disaster, this downfall is final [אברבנאל, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Its ruins will remain permanently submerged, making it impossible to ever establish a settled island there again [מלבי״ם].

In direct contrast to Tyre's destruction, God promises to establish splendor in the land of the living. Tyre had expected to grow full and prosperous from Jerusalem's ruin, but the opposite occurs. While Tyre is completely lost, God mercifully restores majesty and beauty to Jerusalem [מצודת דוד, חומת אנך]. This promised glory is understood as a state of deep desire and splendor [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ], a secure and peaceful existence for Judah and Israel during the Second Temple era [אברבנאל], or a general state of lasting stability [מלבי״ם].

The Land of Israel is specifically called the land of the living to serve as a direct opposite to Tyre, which has become a land of darkness and death [רד״ק, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם]. Additionally, this title hints at the Rabbinic tradition that the Land of Israel is the location where the dead will eventually return to life during the final resurrection [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. In a broader sense, this promise also serves as an assurance that even as a great power like Tyre falls into ruin, the rest of the inhabited world will continue to exist and thrive in its splendor [ביאור שטיינזלץ].