Ezekiel 27

Passage overview

In Ezekiel 27, the lament for Tyre is presented as a symbolic prophetic message. The chapter first depicts Tyre’s prosperity and beauty in metaphor, then foretells its downfall. Overall, it uses rich poetic language and imagery to contrast the splendor of Tyre—enjoying glory through commerce and trade—with the tragedy of its collapse.

1verseThe LORD’s word came again to me, saying,

2verse“You, son of man, take up a lamentation over Tyre;

3verseand 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.’

4verseYour borders are in the heart of the seas. Your builders have perfected your beauty.

5verseThey have made all your planks of cypress trees from Senir. They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.

6verseThey 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.

7verseYour 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.

8verseThe inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers. Your wise men, Tyre, were in you. They were your pilots.

9verseThe 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.

10verse“‘“Persia, Lud, and Put were in your army, your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you. They showed your beauty.

11verseThe 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.

12verse“‘“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“‘“Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They traded the persons of men and vessels of bronze for your merchandise.

14verse“‘“They of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, war horses, and mules.

15verse“‘“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“‘“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“‘“Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded wheat of Minnith, confections, honey, oil, and balm for your merchandise.

18verse“‘“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“‘“Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for your wares; wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were among your merchandise.

20verse“‘“Dedan was your merchant in precious saddle blankets for riding.

21verse“‘“Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your favorite dealers in lambs, rams, and goats. In these, they were your merchants.

22verse“‘“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.

23verse“‘“Haran, Canneh, Eden, the traders of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad, were your traders.

24verseThese 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.

25verse“‘“The ships of Tarshish were your caravans for your merchandise. You were replenished and made very glorious in the heart of the seas.

26verseYour rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas.

27verseYour 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.

28verseAt the sound of the cry of your pilots, the pasture lands will shake.

29verseAll 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,

30verseand 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.

31verseThey will make themselves bald for you, and clothe themselves with sackcloth. They will weep for you in bitterness of soul, with bitter mourning.

32verseIn 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?’

33verseWhen 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.

34verseIn the time that you were broken by the seas, in the depths of the waters, your merchandise and all your company fell within you.

35verseAll the inhabitants of the islands are astonished at you, and their kings are horribly afraid. They are troubled in their face.

36verseThe merchants among the peoples hiss at you. You have come to a terrible end, and you will be no more.”’”

Tyre’s Glory and the Hub of Trade (Verses 1–25)

  • Verses 1–9: The beauty of Tyre is likened to a splendid ship, and its prosperity and splendor are celebrated. The carefully described parts of the ship show that Tyre maintained commercial ties with many peoples.
  • Verses 10–25: A detailed listing follows of how Tyre accumulated wealth through trade with various regions and countries. Shields, weapons, all kinds of goods, and resources flowed into Tyre, and it becomes clear that Tyre’s international influence was great as well.

Tyre’s Downfall and Its Aftereffects (Verses 26–36)

  • Verses 26–32: The chapter portrays Tyre’s downfall as a ship sinking in the middle of the sea after encountering a storm. There is a scene in which the nations that had formed business relationships with Tyre mourn it.
  • Verses 33–36: Many peoples who profited from Tyre are shocked and saddened in the face of its collapse. Those who traded with Tyre also mourn the destruction that has come upon the city, and it remains as a warning for people throughout the world.

Reflection Points

  • Tyre’s dazzling prosperity teaches that human power and wisdom, as well as material blessings, do not ultimately guarantee true safety.
  • It also reminds us that when wealth and influence granted by God are not used properly, their end can turn out to be empty.

Apply It to Yourself

  • Let us take a moment to reflect on what we lean on and boast in, and recognize that everything ultimately is in God’s hands.
  • Let us also examine whether my material or social resources are being used for greater good and for our neighbors, and pursue a life with a humble heart.