Yechezkel 26:17

17 And they shall take up a kinah (lament, funeral dirge) for thee, and say to thee, How thou hast perished, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned ir (city), which wast chazakah on the yam, she and her inhabitants, which spread their terror—all who live there [in Tyre].

Yechezkel 26:17 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 26:17

And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say unto
thee
The following mournful song: how art thou destroyed that wast inhabited of seafaring men;
or, "of the seas": by men who used the seas, and traded by sea to different parts of the world; and was frequented by persons that came by sea thither, by the great ocean, by the Red sea, the Mediterranean sea, and others; or, which was surrounded by the sea. So the Targum,

``that dwellest in the midst of the sea:''

"the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea"; fortified by the sea, and against it; strong in shipping and naval stores; so as to be formidable to others, and mistress of the sea. The Targum is,

``which dwell in the strength of the sea;''

and had the strength and riches of it brought unto it; and so was famous all the world over for its commerce, wealth, and power; but now ruined and undone: she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that
haunt it!
the sea; on all that used the seas; or on all the inhabitants of the islands of the sea; who all stood in fear of Tyre and her inhabitants, and were obliged to strike their sails to their ships.

Yechezkel 26:17 In-Context

15 Thus saith Adonoi Hashem to Tzor (Tyre): Shall not the coastlands tremble fearfully at the sound of thy fall, when the chalal (wounded) cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?

16 Then all the nasi’im of the yam shall come down from their kisse’ot (thrones), and lay aside their robes, and put off their embroidered garments; they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon ha’aretz, and shall tremble at every moment, and be horrified at thee.

17 And they shall take up a kinah (lament, funeral dirge) for thee, and say to thee, How thou hast perished, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned ir (city), which wast chazakah on the yam, she and her inhabitants, which spread their terror—all who live there [in Tyre].

18 Now shall the coastlands tremble in the day of thy fall; indeed, the coastlands that are in the yam shall be traumatized at thy exile.

19 For thus saith Adonoi Hashem: When I shall make thee a desolate ir, like the towns that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the tehom upon thee, and the mayim harabbim (great waters) shall cover thee;