Ezekiel 27
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1Yahweh’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, thus says the Lord Yahweh: “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 boxwood 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 valient 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 brass 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: bright iron, cassia, and calamus were among your merchandise. 20“‘“Dedan was your trafficker in precious cloths for riding. 21“‘“Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar were the merchants of your hand; 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 chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold. 23“‘“Haran, Canneh, and 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 chests of rich clothing, bound with cords and made of cedar, 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. 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 suburbs 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 went out of 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 become a terror, and you will be no more.”’”
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Your rowers have brought you out into the high seas. The east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the seas."”
Ezekiel 27:26
Summary
Ezekiel 27 presents a lamentation for Tyre, a powerful and prosperous city known for its maritime trade. The chapter poetically describes Tyre as a magnificent ship, crafted to perfection with the finest materials and staffed by skilled mariners. The extensive list of nations trading with Tyre highlights its central role in global commerce, showcasing its wealth and influence. However, the glory of Tyre is short-lived as it faces impending doom. The downfall of Tyre becomes a symbol of pride leading to destruction, demonstrating the transient nature of human endeavors and the ultimate sovereignty of God. This chapter serves as a profound reflection on the fleeting nature of earthly riches and the consequences of pride and self-reliance.
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Chapter outline
How Ezekiel 27 unfolds
Ezekiel 27:1–2 Introduction of the Lamentation
Yahweh instructs Ezekiel to take up a lamentation for Tyre, signaling a prophetic declaration against the city.
Ezekiel 27:3–9 Description of Tyre's Glory
Tyre is depicted as a beautiful and prosperous city, noted for its maritime trade and skilled builders, highlighting its influence.
Ezekiel 27:10–17 Tyre's Trade Partners
The chapter enumerates various nations that trade with Tyre, emphasizing its extensive economic relationships and wealth accumulation.
Ezekiel 27:18–25 The Magnificence of Tyre's Merchandise
The lamentation continues with descriptions of Tyre's luxury goods and the grandeur of its ships, further illustrating its power.
Ezekiel 27:26–34 The Fall of Tyre
Tyre's impending doom is announced, with vivid imagery of its destruction and the loss of its wealth and influence.
Ezekiel 27:35–36 Final Reaction to Tyre's Demise
The reactions of other nations and merchants to Tyre's downfall emphasize its significant role in commerce and the shock of its collapse.
Key verses
Ezekiel 27:26This verse encapsulates the chapter's focus on Tyre's vulnerability despite its apparent strength and beauty.
Main themes in Ezekiel 27
Pride and downfall
The theme of pride surfaces early in the chapter as Tyre boasts of its perfection and beauty in verse 3. The detailed descriptions of its wealth and influence set the stage for the contrast with its eventual ruin, illustrating how pride can lead to destruction. Tyre's downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of self-reliance and arrogance.
The transient nature of wealth
Ezekiel 27 illustrates the fleeting nature of Tyre's wealth through its rich trade in verses 12-24, showcasing the city's vast resources. However, this wealth is rendered meaningless in light of Tyre's impending destruction, emphasizing that earthly riches can quickly disappear. The chapter underlines that reliance on material wealth is ultimately futile.
Divine judgment
The chapter emphasizes divine judgment against Tyre, culminating in its destruction as foretold in verses 26-34. Tyre's fall is presented as a direct consequence of its pride and reliance on worldly power, highlighting God's authority over nations. This judgment reflects the broader theme of accountability for human actions and arrogance.
Sovereignty of God
The sovereignty of God is a recurring theme, illustrated through the prophetic lament over Tyre's demise in verses 27-36. The chapter reveals that despite Tyre's power and influence, it is ultimately subject to God's will and judgment. This reinforces the notion that no earthly power can stand against God's plans.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Ezekiel 27
- Genesis 10Genesis 10 provides background on the nations and peoples referenced in Tyre's extensive trade networks.
- Ezekiel 26Ezekiel 26 connects with this chapter in detailing the prophecy against Tyre and its impending destruction.
- Revelation 18Revelation 18 echoes the themes of judgment and lamentation over a great city, reflecting Tyre's fate.
- Ezekiel 28Ezekiel 28 develops the themes of pride and downfall by discussing the king of Tyre's arrogance and judgment.
- Ezekiel 38Ezekiel 38 connects with the geopolitical implications of Tyre’s alliances and the surrounding nations.
- Isaiah 23Isaiah 23 connects by also lamenting Tyre’s fall, emphasizing its role in trade and maritime power.
Study questions
Questions for studying Ezekiel 27
- What does the text reveal about Tyre's relationships with other nations?
- How is Tyre's beauty and wealth described in verses 3-9?
- In what ways does the chapter illustrate the theme of pride?
- What reactions do the merchants have to Tyre's downfall?
- How does the imagery of ships contribute to the overall message of the lamentation?
- What is the significance of the trading goods mentioned in the text?
- How does God's sovereignty play a role in Tyre's fate?
Ezekiel 27: frequently asked questions
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