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Ezekiel 27

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The Sinking of Tyre

1 The word of the Lord came to me:
2 "Now, son of man, lament for Tyre.[a]
3 Say to Tyre, who is located at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples[b] to many coasts and islands: This is what the Lord God says: Tyre, you declared: I am perfect in beauty.
4 Your realm was in the heart of the sea; your builders perfected your beauty.
5 They constructed all your planking with pine trees from Senir.[c][d] They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.
6 They made your oars of oaks from Bashan. They made your deck of cypress wood from the coasts of Cyprus,[e] [inlaid] with ivory.
7 Your sail was [made of] fine embroidered linen from Egypt, and served as your banner. Your awning was of blue and purple fabric from the coasts of Elishah.[f]
8 The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad[g] were your rowers. Your wise men were within you, Tyre; they were your helmsmen.
9 The elders of Gebal and its wise men[h] were within you, repairing your leaks. All the ships of the sea and their sailors came to[i] you to barter for your goods.
10 [Men of] Persia, Lud, and Put[j] were in your army, [serving] as your warriors. They hung shields and helmets in you; they gave you splendor.
11 Men of Arvad and Helech were [stationed] on your walls all around, and Gamadites were in your towers. They hung their shields[k] all around your walls; they perfected your beauty.
12 "Tarshish[l] was your trading partner because of [your] great wealth of every kind. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise.
13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech[m] were your merchants. They exchanged slaves[n] and bronze utensils for your goods.
14 Those from Beth-togarmah[o] exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your merchandise.
15 Men of Dedan[p][q]were also your merchants; many coasts and islands were your regular markets. They brought back ivory tusks and ebony as your payment.
16 Aram[r][s]was your trading partner because of your numerous products. They exchanged turquoise,[t] purple and embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral,[u] and rubies[v] for your merchandise.
17 Judah and the land of Israel were your merchants. They exchanged wheat from Minnith,[w] meal,[x] honey, oil, and balm for your goods.
18 Damascus was also your trading partner because of your numerous products and your great wealth of every kind, [trading] in wine from Helbon and white wool.[y]
19 Vedan[z] and Javan from Uzal[aa][ab]dealt in your merchandise; wrought iron, cassia,[ac] and aromatic cane were [exchanged] for your goods.
20 Dedan[ad] was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding.
21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your business[ae] partners, trading with you in lambs, rams, and goats.
22 The merchants of Sheba[af] and Raamah traded with you. They exchanged gold, the best of all spices, and all kinds of precious stones for your merchandise.[ag]
23 Haran, Canneh, Eden,[ah] the merchants of Sheba, Asshur,[ai] and Chilmad traded with you.
24 They were your merchants in choice garments, cloaks of blue and embroidered materials, and multicolored carpets,[aj] which were bound and secured with cords in your marketplace.
25 Ships of Tarshish[ak] were the carriers for your goods. So you became full and heavily loaded[al] in the heart of the sea.
26 Your rowers have brought you onto the high seas,[am] but the east wind has shattered you in the heart of the sea.
27 Your wealth, merchandise, and goods, your sailors and helmsmen, those who repair your leaks, those who barter for your goods, and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board,[an] sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall.
28 The countryside shakes at the sound of your sailors' cries.[ao]
29 All those who handle an oar disembark from their ships. The sailors and all the helmsmen of the sea stand on the shore.
30 They raise their voices over you and cry out bitterly. They throw dust on their heads;[ap] they roll in ashes.
31 They shave their heads because of you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They weep over you with deep anguish and bitter mourning.
32 In their wailing they lament for you,[aq] mourning over you: Who was like Tyre, silenced[ar] in the middle of the sea?
33 When your merchandise was unloaded from the seas, you satisfied many peoples. You enriched the kings of the earth with your abundant wealth and goods.
34 Now you are shattered[as] by the sea in the depths of the waters; your goods and the people within you have gone down.
35 All the inhabitants of the coasts and islands are appalled[at] at you. Their kings shudder with fear; [their] faces are contorted.
36 Those who trade among the peoples hiss[au] at you; you have become an object of horror and will never exist again."[av]
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Ezekiel 27 Commentary

Chapter 27

The merchandise of Tyre. (1-25) Its fall and ruin. (26-36)

Verses 1-25 Those who live at ease are to be lamented, if they are not prepared for trouble. Let none reckon themselves beautified, any further than they are sanctified. The account of the trade of Tyre intimates, that God's eye is upon men when employed in worldly business. Not only when at church, praying and hearing, but when in markets and fairs, buying and selling. In all our dealings we should keep a conscience void of offence. God, as the common Father of mankind, makes one country abound in one commodity, and another in another, serviceable to the necessity or to the comfort and ornament of human life. See what a blessing trade and merchandise are to mankind, when followed in the fear of God. Besides necessaries, an abundance of things are made valuable only by custom; yet God allows us to use them. But when riches increase, men are apt to set their hearts upon them, and forget the Lord, who gives power to get wealth.

Verses 26-36 The most mighty and magnificent kingdoms and states, sooner or later, come down. Those who make creatures their confidence, and rest their hopes upon them, will fall with them: happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their Help, and whose hope is in the Lord their God, who lives for ever. Those who engage in trade should learn to conduct their business according to God's word. Those who possess wealth should remember they are the Lord's stewards, and should use his goods in doing good to all. Let us seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Footnotes 48

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 27

This chapter contains a lamentation on Tyre; setting forth her former grandeur, riches, and commerce; her ruin and destruction; and the concern of others on that account. The prophet is bid to take up his lamentation concerning it, Eze 27:1,2, observing her situation and magnificence, of which she boasted, Eze 27:3,4, describing the excellency of her shipping and naval stores, Eze 27:5-7, declaring who were her mariners, pilots, and caulkers, Eze 27:8,9, her military men, Eze 27:10,11 her several merchants, and the things they traded in with her in her fairs and markets, Eze 27:12-25, then follows an account of her destruction, Eze 27:26,27, the lamentation of pilots and mariners because of it, Eze 27:28-32, and of the kings and inhabitants of the isles, and merchants of the people, Eze 27:33-36.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Ezekiel 27 Commentaries

Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.