Ezekiel 27
Tyre as a Magnificent Ship
1The LORD’s word came again to me, saying,
2“You, son of man, take up a lamentation over Tyre;
3and tell Tyre, ‘You who dwell at the entry of the sea, who are the merchant of the peoples to many islands, the Lord GOD says: “You, Tyre, have said, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’
4Your borders are in the heart of the seas. Your builders have perfected your beauty.
5They have made all your planks of cypress trees from Senir. They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.
6They have made your oars of the oaks of Bashan. They have made your benches of ivory inlaid in cypress wood from the islands of Kittim.
7Your sail was of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt, that it might be to you for a banner. Blue and purple from the islands of Elishah was your awning.
8The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers. Your wise men, Tyre, were in you. They were your pilots.
9The old men of Gebal and its wise men were your repairers of ship seams in you. All the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to deal in your merchandise.
10“‘“Persia, Lud, and Put were in your army, your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you. They showed your beauty.
11The men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, and valiant men were in your towers. They hung their shields on your walls all around. They have perfected your beauty.
12“‘“Tarshish was your merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches. They traded for your wares with silver, iron, tin, and lead.
13“‘“Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They traded the persons of men and vessels of bronze for your merchandise.
14“‘“They of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, war horses, and mules.
15“‘“The men of Dedan traded with you. Many islands were the market of your hand. They brought you horns of ivory and ebony in exchange.
16“‘“Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks. They traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies.
17“‘“Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded wheat of Minnith, confections, honey, oil, and balm for your merchandise.
18“‘“Damascus was your merchant for the multitude of your handiworks by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches, with the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
19“‘“Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for your wares; wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were among your merchandise.
20“‘“Dedan was your merchant in precious saddle blankets for riding.
21“‘“Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your favorite dealers in lambs, rams, and goats. In these, they were your merchants.
22“‘“The traders of Sheba and Raamah were your traders. They traded for your wares with the best of all spices, all precious stones, and gold.
23“‘“Haran, Canneh, Eden, the traders of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad, were your traders.
24These were your traders in choice wares, in wrappings of blue and embroidered work, and in cedar chests of rich clothing bound with cords, among your merchandise.
25“‘“The ships of Tarshish were your caravans for your merchandise. You were replenished and made very glorious in the heart of the seas.
The Shipwreck of Tyre
26Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas.
27Your riches, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners, your pilots, your repairers of ship seams, the dealers in your merchandise, and all your men of war who are in you, with all your company which is among you, will fall into the heart of the seas in the day of your ruin.
28At the sound of the cry of your pilots, the pasture lands will shake.
29All who handle the oars, the mariners and all the pilots of the sea, will come down from their ships. They will stand on the land,
30and will cause their voice to be heard over you, and will cry bitterly. They will cast up dust on their heads. They will wallow in the ashes.
31They will make themselves bald for you, and clothe themselves with sackcloth. They will weep for you in bitterness of soul, with bitter mourning.
32In their wailing they will take up a lamentation for you, and lament over you, saying, ‘Who is there like Tyre, like her who is brought to silence in the middle of the sea?’
33When your wares came from the seas, you filled many peoples. You enriched the kings of the earth with the multitude of your riches and of your merchandise.
34In the time that you were broken by the seas, in the depths of the waters, your merchandise and all your company fell within you.
35All the inhabitants of the islands are astonished at you, and their kings are horribly afraid. They are troubled in their face.
36The merchants among the peoples hiss at you. You have come to a terrible end, and you will be no more.”’”
Ezekiel delivers a prophetic lament over Tyre, depicting the wealthy maritime city-state as a magnificent trading ship built from the finest materials and conducting commerce with nations across the known world. The chapter provides an extensive catalog of Tyre's trading partners and luxury goods, emphasizing the city's vast commercial network and accumulated wealth. However, this detailed description of Tyre's splendor serves as the backdrop for God's impending judgment, as the chapter transitions from celebrating the ship's beauty to prophesying its catastrophic destruction in the heart of the seas.
Context
This chapter continues the extended prophecy against Tyre begun in chapter 26, providing detailed imagery that will be followed by chapter 28's judgment against Tyre's ruler.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3Introduction to the LamentGod commands Ezekiel to deliver a funeral dirge over Tyre, the proud merchant city claiming perfect beauty.
- 4-11The Ship's Construction and CrewTyre is described as a magnificent ship built from premium materials by skilled craftsmen from various nations.
- 12-24Tyre's Extensive Trade NetworkA comprehensive list of trading partners from across the ancient world and their valuable commodities.
- 25-27The Ship's DestructionThe east wind destroys Tyre's trading vessel, causing it to sink with all its wealth and crew.
- 28-36Universal MourningMariners, merchants, and coastal peoples lament Tyre's fall and express terror at its sudden destruction.
Tyre as a Magnificent Ship
27:1–27:25An elaborate metaphor depicts Tyre as a magnificent trading ship, detailing its beauty, wealth, and extensive commercial networks. This lamentation sets up the contrast between Tyre's former glory and its coming destruction due to pride.
geographic
Arvad's exclusive biblical appearance as Tyre's rowers highlights how Ezekiel transforms actual Phoenician maritime alliances into poetic metaphor, making geopolitical reality serve prophetic artistry.
The Shipwreck of Tyre
27:26–27:36A prophetic lament describing the destruction of Tyre as a great shipwreck, with mariners and merchants mourning the fall of this once-mighty commercial power. The passage depicts the complete devastation of Tyre's wealth and influence through vivid maritime imagery.
theme_rarity
Ezekiel transforms Tyre's maritime supremacy into a catastrophic shipwreck metaphor, where the "east wind" of divine judgment shatters both commercial empire and human pride simultaneously.
Ezekiel 27:3
Ezekiel 28:12lexical“Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, ‘The Lord GOD says: “You were the seal of full m…
Ezekiel 16:14lexicalYour renown went out among the nations for your beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put on you,”…
Ezekiel 26:15lexical“The Lord GOD says to Tyre: ‘Won’t the islands shake at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan, when the slaught…
Ezekiel 28:2lexical“Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am a g…
Ezekiel 26:3lexicaltherefore the Lord GOD says, ‘Behold, I am against you, Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the…
Ezekiel 27:5
Isaiah 37:24lexicalBy your servants, you have defied the Lord, and have said, “With the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the heig…
2 Kings 19:23lexicalBy your messengers, you have defied the Lord, and have said, “With the multitude of my chariots, I have come up to the h…
Isaiah 14:8lexicalYes, the cypress trees rejoice with you, with the cedars of Lebanon, saying, “Since you are humbled, no lumberjack has c…
1 Kings 6:15lexicalHe built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar; from the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he…
Song of Solomon 8:9lexicalIf she is a wall, we will build on her a turret of silver. If she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar. B…
Ezekiel 27:7
Exodus 28:6lexical“They shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.
Exodus 35:6lexicalblue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair,
Exodus 25:4lexicalblue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair,
Exodus 26:31lexical“You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a…
Exodus 28:8lexicalThe skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, blue, purple, scarlet,…
Ezekiel 27:10
Ezekiel 38:5lexicalPersia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
Ezekiel 30:5lexical“‘“Ethiopia, Put, Lud, all the mixed people, Cub, and the children of the land that is allied with them, will fall with…
1 Chronicles 5:18lexicalThe sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, abl…
Ezekiel 27:11
Song of Solomon 4:4lexicalYour neck is like David’s tower built for an armory, on which a thousand shields hang, all the shields of the mighty men…
Jeremiah 52:14lexicalAll the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls of Jerusalem all around.
2 Kings 25:10lexicalAll the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 27:12
Ezekiel 22:20lexicalAs they gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire on it, to melt it, s…
Numbers 31:22lexicalHowever the gold, and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
Ezekiel 22:18lexical“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the middle of th…
Ezekiel 38:13lexicalSheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all its young lions, will ask you, ‘Have you come to take the plunder?…
1 Chronicles 29:2lexicalNow I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things…
Ezekiel 27:13
1 Chronicles 1:5lexicalThe sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
Genesis 10:2lexicalThe sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
Ezekiel 38:3lexicaland say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Behold, I am against you, Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:2lexical“Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy agains…
Ezekiel 39:1lexical“You, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Behold, I am against you, Gog, prince of Rosh, Mes…
Ezekiel 27:16
Esther 1:6lexicalThere were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble…
Esther 8:15lexicalMordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and w…
2 Chronicles 3:14lexicalHe made the veil of blue, purple, crimson, and fine linen, and ornamented it with cherubim.
Ezekiel 27:17
Jeremiah 41:8lexicalBut ten men were found among those who said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat…
Deuteronomy 8:8lexicala land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey;
Ezekiel 27:21
Ezekiel 39:18lexicalYou shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats,…
Jeremiah 51:40lexical“I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats.
Isaiah 34:6lexicalThe LORD’s sword is filled with blood. It is covered with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the ki…
Deuteronomy 32:14lexicalbutter from the herd, and milk from the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fines…
2 Chronicles 9:14lexicalin addition to that which the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country br…
Ezekiel 27:22
2 Chronicles 9:9lexicalShe gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was neve…
1 Kings 10:10lexicalShe gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never ag…
2 Chronicles 9:1lexicalWhen the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a…
2 Chronicles 32:27lexicalHezekiah had exceedingly great riches and honor. He provided himself with treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious…
1 Kings 10:2lexicalShe came to Jerusalem with a very great caravan, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and…
Ezekiel 27:23
2 Kings 19:12lexicalHave the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed—Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the children of E…
Isaiah 37:12lexicalHave the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the children of…
Ezekiel 27:28
Jeremiah 50:46lexicalThe earth trembles at the noise of the taking of Babylon. The cry is heard among the nations.
Ezekiel 27:29
Jonah 1:5lexicalThen the mariners were afraid, and every man cried to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to…
Psalms 107:23lexicalThose who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters,
Ezekiel 27:30
Esther 4:1lexicalNow when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out i…
Jeremiah 6:26lexicalDaughter of my people, clothe yourself with sackcloth, and wallow in ashes! Mourn, as for an only son, most bitter lamen…
Jeremiah 25:34lexicalWail, you shepherds, and cry. Wallow in dust, you leader of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your disper…
Ezekiel 27:31
Isaiah 22:12lexicalIn that day, the Lord, GOD of Armies, called to weeping, to mourning, to baldness, and to dressing in sackcloth;
Amos 8:10lexicalI will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will make you wear sackcloth on all yo…
Ezekiel 7:18lexicalThey will also clothe themselves with sackcloth, and horror will cover them. Shame will be on all faces, and baldness on…
Jeremiah 6:26lexicalDaughter of my people, clothe yourself with sackcloth, and wallow in ashes! Mourn, as for an only son, most bitter lamen…
Micah 1:16lexicalShave your heads, and cut off your hair for the children of your delight. Enlarge your baldness like the vulture, for th…
Ezekiel 27:32
Ezekiel 32:16lexical“‘“This is the lamentation with which they will lament. The daughters of the nations will lament with this. They will la…
2 Samuel 1:17lexicalDavid lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son
2 Chronicles 35:25lexicalJeremiah lamented for Josiah, and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this da…
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