Ezekiel 27
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This chapter may be considered as the second part of the prophecy concerning Tyre. The prophet pursues his subject in the manner of those ancient lamentations or funeral songs, in which the praeficiae or mourning women first recounted whatever was great or praiseworthy in the deceased, and then mourned his fall. Here the riches, glory, and extensive commerce of Tyre are enlarged upon, vv. 1-25. Her downfall is then described in a beautiful allegory, executed in a few words, with astonishing brevity, propriety, and perspicuity, Eze 27:26; upon which all the maritime and commercial world are represented as grieved and astonished at her fate, and greatly alarmed for their own, Eze 27:27-36. Besides the view which this chapter gives of the conduct of Providence, and the example with which it furnishes the critic and men of taste of a very elegant and highly finished piece of composition, it likewise affords the antiquary a very curious and interesting account of the wealth and commerce of ancient times. And to the mind that looks for "a city that hath foundations," what a picture does the whole present of the mutability and inanity of all earthly things! Many of the places mentioned in ancient history have, like Tyre, long ago lost their political consequence; the geographical situation of others cannot be traced; they have sunk in the deep waters of oblivion; the east wind hath carried them away.
Open source ↗TYRE'S FORMER GREATNESS, SUGGESTING A LAMENTATION OVER HER SAD DOWNFALL. (Eze. 27:1-36) lamentation--a funeral dirge, eulogizing her great attributes, to make the contrast the greater between her former and her latter state.
Open source ↗The word of the Lord came again unto me,.... Upon the same subject, the destruction of Tyre: saying; as follows:
Open source ↗The lamentation commences with a picture of the glory of the city of Tyre, its situation, its architectural beauty, its military strength and defences (Eze 27:3-11), and its wide-spread commercial relations (Eze 27:12-25); and then passes into mournful lamentation over the ruin of all this glory (Eze 27:26-36). Introduction and description of the glory and might of Tyre. - Eze 27:1. And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Eze 27:2. And do thou, O son of man, raise a lamentation over Tyre, Eze 27:3. And say to Tyre, Thou who dwellest at the approaches of the sea, merchant of the nations to many islands, thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Tyre, thou sayest, I am perfect in beauty. Eze 27:4. In the heart of the seas is thy territory; thy builders have made thy beauty perfect. Eze 27:5. Out of cypresses of Senir they built all double-plank-work for thee; they took cedars of Lebanon to make a mast upon thee. Eze 27:6. They made thine oars of oaks of Bashan, thy benches they made of ivory set in box from the islands of the Chittaeans. Eze 27:7. Byssus in embroidery from Egypt was thy sail, to serve thee for a banner; blue and red purple from the islands of Elishah was thine awning. Eze 27:8. The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were thy rowers; thy skilful men, O Tyre, were in thee, they were thy sailors. Eze 27:9. The elders of Gebal and its skilful men were with thee to repair thy leaks; all the ships of the sea and their mariners were in thee to barter thy goods. Eze 27:10. Persian and Lydian and Libyan were in thine army, thy men of war; shield and helmet they hung up in thee; they gave brilliancy to thee. Eze 27:11. The sons of Arvad and thine army were upon thy walls round about, and brave men were upon they towers; they hung up their shields upon thy walls round about; the…
Open source ↗Here, I. The prophet is ordered to take up a lamentation for Tyrus, Eze 27:2. It was yet in the height of its prosperity, and there appeared not the least symptom of its decay; yet the prophet must lament it, because its prosperity is its snare, is the cause of its pride and security, which will make its fall the more grievous. Even those that live at ease are to be lamented if they be not preparing for trouble. He must lament it because its ruin is hastening on apace; it is sure, it is near; and though the prophet foretel it, and justify God in it, yet he must lament it. Note, We ought to mourn for the miseries of other nations, as well as for our own, out of an affection for mankind in general; it is a part of the honour we owe to all men to bewail their calamities, even those which they have brought upon themselves by their own folly. II. He is directed what to say, and to say it in the name of the Lord Jehovah, a name not unknown in Tyre, and which shall be better known, Eze 26:6. 1. He must upbraid Tyre with her pride: O Tyrus! thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty (Eze 27:3), of universal beauty (so the word is), every way accomplished, and therefore every where admired. Zion, that had the beauty of holiness, is called indeed the perfection of beauty (Psa 50:2); that is the beauty of the Lord. But Tyre, because well-built and well-filled with money and trade, will set up for a perfect beauty. Note, It is the folly of the children of this world to value themselves on the pomp and pleasure they live in, to call themselves beauties for the sake of them, and, if in these they excel others, to think themselves perfect. But God takes notice of the vain conceits men have of themselves in their prosperity when the mind is lifted up with the condition, and often, for the…
Open source ↗27:1-36 The second panel of the prophet’s address to Tyre (see study note on 26:1–28:19) is a funeral song that contrasts past glory with present loss. It is connected with the previous chapter by being addressed to Tyre, by its imagery of a gateway and a trading center (see 26:1-2), and by the common conclusion you have come to a horrible end and will exist no more (cp. 26:21).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קִינָה (qîynâh, H7015) — a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments) צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מְבוֹאָה (mᵉbôwʼâh, H3997) — a haven יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… רָכַל (râkal, H7402) — to travel for trading עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) אִי (ʼîy, H339) — properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} כָּלִיל (kâlîyl, H3632) — complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb,… יֳפִי (yŏphîy, H3308) — beauty
Open source ↗גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) כָּלַל (kâlal, H3634) — to complete יֳפִי (yŏphîy, H3308) — beauty
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) לוּחַ (lûwach, H3871) — probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal בְּרוֹשׁ (bᵉrôwsh, H1265) — a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood) שְׁנִיר (Shᵉnîyr, H8149) — Shenir or Senir, a summit of Lebanon לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application תֹּרֶן (tôren, H8650) — a pole (as a mast or flagstaff)
Open source ↗אַלּוֹן (ʼallôwn, H437) — {an oak or other strong tree} בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מָשׁוֹט (mâshôwṭ, H4880) — an oar בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אֲשֻׁר (ʼăshur, H839) — the cedar tree or some other light elastic wood קֶרֶשׁ (qeresh, H7175) — a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of aship שֵׁן (shên, H8127) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff אִי (ʼîy, H339) — properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island כִּתִּי (Kittîy, H3794) — a Kittite or Cypriote; hence, an islander in general, i.e. the Greeks or Romans on the…
Open source ↗שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8336) — bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble רִקְמָה (riqmâh, H7553) — variegation of color; specifically, embroidery מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt מִפְרָשׂ (miphrâs, H4666) — an expansion נֵס (nêç, H5251) — a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a… תְּכֵלֶת (tᵉkêleth, H8504) — the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith אַרְגָּמָן (ʼargâmân, H713) — purple (the color or the dyed stuff) אִי (ʼîy, H339) — properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island אֱלִישָׁה (ʼĔlîyshâh, H473) — Elishah, a son of Javan מְכַסֶּה (mᵉkaççeh, H4374) — a covering, i.e. garment; specifically, a coverlet (for a bed), an awning (from the sun);…
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… צִידוֹן (Tsîydôwn, H6721) — Tsidon, the name of a son of Canaan, and of a place in Palestine אַרְוַד (ʼArvad, H719) — Arvad, an island-city of Palestine שׁוּט (shûwṭ, H7751) — properly, to push forth; (but used only figuratively) to lash, i.e. (the sea with oars)… חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine חֹבֵל (chôbêl, H2259) — a sailor
Open source ↗זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old גְּבַל (Gᵉbal, H1380) — Gebal, a place in Phoenicia חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) בֶּדֶק (bedeq, H919) — a gap or leak (in a building or a ship) חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… אֳנִיָּה (ʼŏnîyâh, H591) — a ship יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… מַלָּח (mallâch, H4419) — a sailor (as following 'the salt') עָרַב (ʻârab, H6148) — to braid, i.e. intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be… מַעֲרָב (maʻărâb, H4627) — traffic; by implication, mercantile goods
Open source ↗פָּרַס (Pâraç, H6539) — Paras (i.e. Persia), an Eastern country, including its inhabitants לוּד (Lûwd, H3865) — Lud, the name of two nations פּוּט (Pûwṭ, H6316) — Put, a son of Ham, also the name of his descendants or their region, and of a Persian… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) תָּלָה (tâlâh, H8518) — to suspend (especially to gibbet) מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… כּוֹבַע (kôwbaʻ, H3553) — a helmet (as arched) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) הָדָר (hâdâr, H1926) — magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַרְוַד (ʼArvad, H719) — Arvad, an island-city of Palestine חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… גַּמָּד (gammâd, H1575) — a warrior (as grasping weapons) מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed… תָּלָה (tâlâh, H8518) — to suspend (especially to gibbet) שֶׁלֶט (sheleṭ, H7982) — probably a shield (as controlling, i.e. protecting the person) כָּלַל (kâlal, H3634) — to complete יֳפִי (yŏphîy, H3308) — beauty
Open source ↗תַּרְשִׁישׁ (Tarshîysh, H8659) — Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if… סָחַר (çâchar, H5503) — to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) הוֹן (hôwn, H1952) — wealth; by implication, enough כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement בְּדִיל (bᵉdîyl, H913) — alloy (because removed by smelting); by analogy, tin עוֹפֶרֶת (ʻôwphereth, H5777) — lead (from its dusty color) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn, H5801) — trade, i.e. the place (mart) or the payment (revenue)
Open source ↗יָוָן (Yâvân, H3120) — Javan, the name of a son of Joktan, and of the race (Ionians, i.e. Greeks) descended from… תּוּבַל (Tûwbal, H8422) — Tubal, a postdiluvian patriarch and his posterity מֶשֶׁךְ (Meshek, H4902) — Meshek, a son of Japheth, and the people descended from him רָכַל (râkal, H7402) — to travel for trading נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… מַעֲרָב (maʻărâb, H4627) — traffic; by implication, mercantile goods
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) תּוֹגַרְמָה (Tôwgarmâh, H8425) — Togarmah, a son of Gomer and his posterity נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn, H5801) — trade, i.e. the place (mart) or the payment (revenue) סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6571) — a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by… פֶּרֶד (pered, H6505) — a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits)
Open source ↗