ScriptureDepth's study of Ezekiel 27
“Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas.”
Ezekiel 27:26
Yahweh tells Ezekiel that Tyre's rowers lead her into perilous waters, marking the moment when her glory is shattered by the east wind.
What Ezekiel 27 is about
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to lament over Tyre, a city by the sea known for its beauty. Tyre has said, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’ Its builders used cypress, cedar, and ivory for ships and their parts (vv. 3-9). Many nations traded with Tyre. Traders from Persia, Lud, and Put provided military support. Javan and others traded goods like horses, fabrics, and spices (vv. 10-17). Tyre was filled with fine merchandise and became glorious in the seas (vv. 18-25). The east wind struck Tyre, leading to its destruction. All that Tyre had built and gained fell into the sea during its ruin (vv. 26-34). The islands were left astonished, and the merchants hissed at Tyre. They saw it as a terror, saying, ‘You have become a terror, and you will be no more’ (vv. 35-36).
Tyre's demise leaves a picture of the consequences of pride and the vulnerability of earthly powers.
Ezekiel 27 at a glance
- Ezekiel 27:1–2Introduction of the Lamentation
- Ezekiel 27:3–9Description of Tyre's Glory
- Ezekiel 27:10–17Tyre's Trade Partners
- Ezekiel 27:18–25The Magnificence of Tyre's Merchandise
- Ezekiel 27:26–34The Fall of Tyre
- Ezekiel 27:35–36Final Reaction to Tyre's Demise
Key verse: Ezekiel 27:26
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Ezekiel 27 (WEB)
Introduction of the Lamentation Ezekiel 27:1–2
1Verse 1. Yahweh’s word came again to me, saying, 2Verse 2. “You, son of man, take up a lamentation over Tyre;
Description of Tyre's Glory Ezekiel 27:3–9
3Verse 3. and 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.’4Verse 4. Your borders are in the heart of the seas.Your builders have perfected your beauty.5Verse 5. They have made all your planks of cypress trees from Senir.They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.6Verse 6. They have made your oars of the oaks of Bashan.They have made your benches of ivory inlaid in boxwood from the islands of Kittim.7Verse 7. Your 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.8Verse 8. The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers.Your wise men, Tyre, were in you.They were your pilots.9Verse 9. The old men of Gebaland its wise men were your repairers of ship seams in you.All the ships of the sea with their mariners were in youto deal in your merchandise.
Tyre's Trade Partners Ezekiel 27:10–17
10Verse 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. 11Verse 11. The 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. 12Verse 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. 13Verse 13. “‘“Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They traded the persons of men and vessels of brass for your merchandise.
14Verse 14. “‘“They of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, war horses, and mules. 15Verse 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. 16Verse 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. 17Verse 17. “‘“Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded wheat of Minnith, confections, honey, oil, and balm for your merchandise.
The Magnificence of Tyre's Merchandise Ezekiel 27:18–25
18Verse 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. 19Verse 19. “‘“Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for your wares: bright iron, cassia, and calamus were among your merchandise. 20Verse 20. “‘“Dedan was your trafficker in precious cloths for riding. 21Verse 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. 22Verse 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.
23Verse 23. “‘“Haran, Canneh, and Eden, the traders of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad, were your traders. 24Verse 24. These 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. 25Verse 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 Fall of Tyre Ezekiel 27:26–34
26Verse 26. Your rowers have brought you into great waters.The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas.27Verse 27. Your 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.28Verse 28. At the sound of the cry of your pilots,the suburbs will shake.29Verse 29. All 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,30Verse 30. and 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.31Verse 31. They will make themselves bald for you,and clothe themselves with sackcloth.They will weep for you in bitterness of soul,with bitter mourning.32Verse 32. In 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?’33Verse 33. When your wares went out of the seas,you filled many peoples.You enriched the kings of the earthwith the multitude of your riches and of your merchandise.34Verse 34. In the time that you were broken by the seas,in the depths of the waters,your merchandiseand all your company fell within you.
Final Reaction to Tyre's Demise Ezekiel 27:35–36
35Verse 35. All the inhabitants of the islands are astonished at you,and their kings are horribly afraid.They are troubled in their face.36Verse 36. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you.You have become a terror,and you will be no more.”’”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Ezekiel 27
Pride and downfall
Tyre’s pride is evident in its declaration of beauty in v. 4, where it claims, 'I am perfect in beauty.' This self-assuredness leads to its downfall as the lamentation unfolds. The transition from glory to ruin is stark, culminating in v. 36, where Tyre becomes a 'terror' and is declared to 'be no more.' The chapter illustrates how pride can precede destruction.
The transient nature of wealth
The chapter offers a detailed account of Tyre's wealth, particularly in verses 12-24, where its trade with various nations and the valuable goods exchanged are listed. However, this prosperity is abruptly interrupted in verse 26, as Tyre's riches are swept away by the east wind, portraying the ephemeral quality of material gain. By the end of the chapter, verse 34 reveals the complete loss experienced by Tyre, underscoring the instability of wealth.
Divine judgment
Divine judgment is central to Ezekiel 27, as the lamentation over Tyre serves as a prophetic pronouncement of its fate. In v. 26, the east wind breaking Tyre signifies a direct action from God leading to its ruin. The chapter concludes with the statement in v. 36 of Tyre becoming a 'terror,' indicating that its judgment is both inevitable and comprehensive, underscoring God's sovereignty.
Sovereignty of God
God's sovereignty is evident throughout the lamentation, particularly in His decisive judgment on Tyre. The extensive descriptions of Tyre's trade and glory amplify the significance of its downfall, as seen in verse 27, where every aspect of Tyre's strength is dismantled 'in the day of your ruin.' This narrative shows that, despite Tyre's might and influence, it ultimately falls under God's authority.
Chapter outline
How Ezekiel 27 unfolds
Ezekiel 27:1–2 Introduction of the Lamentation
Yahweh instructs Ezekiel to take up a lamentation over Tyre, emphasizing the city's impending judgment with the command, 'You, son of man, take up a lamentation over Tyre' (v. 2).
Ezekiel 27:3–9 Description of Tyre's Glory
Ezekiel describes Tyre's grandeur, highlighting its claim of perfection and the craftsmanship of its builders, stating, 'You, Tyre, have said, ‘I am perfect in beauty’ (v. 3).
Ezekiel 27:10–17 Tyre's Trade Partners
Tyre's trade partners are listed, including Persia, Javan, and others, detailing goods exchanged such as 'silver, iron, tin, and lead' (vv. 10-17), illustrating its expansive trade network.
Ezekiel 27:18–25 The Magnificence of Tyre's Merchandise
The section catalogs the luxurious merchandise of Tyre, mentioning traders from regions like Damascus and Arabia, as they exchange 'the chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold' (vv. 18-25).
Ezekiel 27:26–34 The Fall of Tyre
This movement shifts dramatically as Tyre faces destruction, with the once-thriving city now threatened by the east wind, leading to a catastrophic downfall (vv. 26-34).
Ezekiel 27:35–36 Final Reaction to Tyre's Demise
The final verses capture the widespread mourning for Tyre, with merchants and kings lamenting its loss, marking the city's transformation from a hub of trade to a source of terror (vv. 35-36).
Key verses
Ezekiel 27:26Yahweh tells Ezekiel that Tyre's rowers lead her into perilous waters, marking the moment when her glory is shattered by the east wind.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Ezekiel 27
- observeIn v25, what are the 'ships of Tarshish' described as for Tyre?
- observeWhat materials are mentioned in v8 that relate to Tyre’s maritime activities?
- interpretIn vv. 32-33, why do the people lament that Tyre has been brought to silence?
- interpretIn v27, what does it mean when the text says Tyre's men of war will 'fall into the heart of the seas'?
- applyWhen have you experienced a time like Tyre's downfall, where pride led to unexpected loss?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Ezekiel 27
- Genesis 10Ezekiel 27:13 and Genesis 10:2Both name traders: Ezekiel 27:13 mentions Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, while Genesis 10:2 lists Javan, Tubal, and Meshech.
- Ezekiel 26Ezekiel 27:35 and Ezekiel 26:15Both express fear: Ezekiel 27:35 shows inhabitants astonished at Tyre's fall, while Ezekiel 26:15 describes islands shaking at Tyre's downfall.
- Revelation 18Ezekiel 27:13 and Revelation 18:13Both mention trading in people: Ezekiel 27:13 highlights trading persons of men, while Revelation 18:13 includes trading people's bodies and souls.
- Ezekiel 28Ezekiel 27:16 and Ezekiel 28:13Both describe beauty: Ezekiel 27:16 states Syria traded with emeralds, while Ezekiel 28:13 details precious stones adorning.
- Ezekiel 38Ezekiel 27:10 and Ezekiel 38:5Both mention Persia: Ezekiel 27:10 lists Persia in Tyre's army, while Ezekiel 38:5 includes Persia with Gog's forces.
- Isaiah 23Ezekiel 27:6 and Isaiah 23:17Both mention Kittim: Ezekiel 27:6 notes benches from Kittim, while Isaiah 23:17 speaks of Tyre's return to trade with kingdoms.
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