Ezekiel 26:14

Built no more. Some have found difficulty with this prediction in view of the fact that there is a city of some 14,000 inhabitants (1974 estimate) on the present peninsula that was formerly the island and the causeway. Some believe that the prophecy applies only to the continental city. They point to the state of desolation there — a desolation so complete that the site of the ancient city cannot even be positively identified — as evidence of the fulfillment of the prophet’s words. On the other hand it must be realized that even if a city were erected on the ancient mainland site, Ezekiel’s prophecy would not be broken. Ezekiel’s prophecy was against the Tyre of his day as it stood in its ancient glory and culture. That civilization and its accompanying city were to be destroyed. Any modern building on the site would not be a revival of the ancient culture and hence not a breaking of the prophet’s word.

Furthermore, the expression “no more” (Heb. lo’ ... ‘od) simply means “duration,” the length of time undefined but to be derived from the context. Thus Joseph wept on the neck of his father ‘od (Gen. 46:29), there translated, “a great while.” The idea of indefinite perpetuity, though not necessarily in the word ‘od, may be inferred from further references to Tyre’s fate (see on Isa. 13:20). See also on Isa. 13:20.