Ezekiel 27NLT
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Ezekiel27

New Living Translation

1Then this message came to me from the Lord:

2“Son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre,

3that mighty gateway to the sea, the trading center of the world. Give Tyre this message from the Sovereign Lord: “You boasted, O Tyre, ‘My beauty is perfect!’

4You extended your boundaries into the sea. Your builders made your beauty perfect.

5You were like a great ship built of the finest cypress from Senir. They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.

6They carved your oars from the oaks of Bashan. Your deck of pine from the coasts of Cyprus was inlaid with ivory.

7Your sails were made of Egypt’s finest linen, and they flew as a banner above you. You stood beneath blue and purple awnings made bright with dyes from the coasts of Elishah.

8Your oarsmen came from Sidon and Arvad; your helmsmen were skilled men from Tyre itself.

9Wise old craftsmen from Gebal did the caulking. Ships from every land came with goods to barter for your trade.

10“Men from distant Persia, Lydia, and Libya served in your great army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls, giving you great honor.

11Men from Arvad and Helech stood on your walls. Your towers were manned by men from Gammad. Their shields hung on your walls, completing your beauty.

12“Tarshish sent merchants to buy your wares in exchange for silver, iron, tin, and lead.

13Merchants from Greece, Tubal, and Meshech brought slaves and articles of bronze to trade with you.

14“From Beth-togarmah came riding horses, chariot horses, and mules, all in exchange for your goods.

15Merchants came to you from Dedan. Numerous coastlands were your captive markets; they brought payment in ivory tusks and ebony wood.

16“Syria sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods. They traded turquoise, purple dyes, embroidery, fine linen, and jewelry of coral and rubies.

17Judah and Israel traded for your wares, offering wheat from Minnith, figs, honey, olive oil, and balm.

18“Damascus sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods, bringing wine from Helbon and white wool from Zahar.

19Greeks from Uzal came to trade for your merchandise. Wrought iron, cassia, and fragrant calamus were bartered for your wares.

20“Dedan sent merchants to trade their expensive saddle blankets with you.

21The Arabians and the princes of Kedar sent merchants to trade lambs and rams and male goats in exchange for your goods.

22The merchants of Sheba and Raamah came with all kinds of spices, jewels, and gold in exchange for your wares.

23“Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Kilmad came with their merchandise, too.

24They brought choice fabrics to trade—blue cloth, embroidery, and multicolored carpets rolled up and bound with cords.

25The ships of Tarshish were your ocean caravans. Your island warehouse was filled to the brim!

26“But look! Your oarsmen have taken you into stormy seas! A mighty eastern gale has wrecked you in the heart of the sea!

27Everything is lost— your riches and wares, your sailors and pilots, your ship builders, merchants, and warriors. On the day of your ruin, everyone on board sinks into the depths of the sea.

28Your cities by the sea tremble as your pilots cry out in terror.

29All the oarsmen abandon their ships; the sailors and pilots stand on the shore.

30They cry aloud over you and weep bitterly. They throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes.

31They shave their heads in grief for you and dress themselves in burlap. They weep for you with bitter anguish and deep mourning.

32As they wail and mourn over you, they sing this sad funeral song: ‘Was there ever such a city as Tyre, now silent at the bottom of the sea?

33The merchandise you traded satisfied the desires of many nations. Kings at the ends of the earth were enriched by your trade.

34Now you are a wrecked ship, broken at the bottom of the sea. All your merchandise and crew have gone down with you.

35All who live along the coastlands are appalled at your terrible fate. Their kings are filled with horror and look on with twisted faces.

36The merchants among the nations shake their heads at the sight of you, for you have come to a horrible end and will exist no more.’”

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezekiel 27.

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Chapter Summary

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

vv1-25

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.

vv26-36

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.

Cross References

Ezekiel 27
v5Deuteronomy 3:9allusion

Senir identified as the Amorite name for Mount Hermon, the source of shipboards.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

The lamentation of the merchants over Rome's fall heavily echoes the lament over Tyre.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v3Isaiah 23:3thematic

Tyre described as a mart of nations and merchant of the people.

Supported by JFB

v3Ezekiel 28:12thematic

The claim of perfect beauty is repeated in the lament over the prince of Tyre.

Supported by JFB

v91 Kings 5:18allusion

Gebal (and its stone-squarers) famed for skilled workmen aiding construction.

Supported by JFB

v26Psalms 48:7thematic

The east wind breaking ships of Tarshish, paralleling Tyre's shipwreck.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v8Genesis 10:18allusion

Arvadites trace back to Canaan, serving here as mariners for superior Tyre.

Supported by JFB

v10Jeremiah 46:9thematic

Persia, Lydians (Lud), and Libyans (Phut) acting as shielded warriors.

Supported by JFB

v13Revelation 18:13thematic

Trading 'persons of men' (slaves) listed in the merchandise of both Tyre and Babylon.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v17Acts 12:20thematic

Herod's country (Tyre and Sidon) was still nourished by Judea's food supply.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v17Judges 11:33allusion

Minnith, a region of Israel noted for producing excellent export wheat.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v28Ezekiel 26:15-18thematic

The shaking of the isles at the sound of the fall of Tyre.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v6Zechariah 11:2thematic

The oaks of Bashan famous for strength, paired here with Lebanon's cedars.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v7Genesis 41:42thematic

Fine linen of Egypt, a highly prized, luxurious fabric.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v36Ezekiel 28:19thematic

Becoming a terror and ceasing to exist forever is the ultimate end of Tyre.

Supported by JFB