Ezekiel Chapter 27
Ezekiel 27
The Shipwreck of Tyre
Ezekiel 27 continues the judgment against Tyre, but this chapter takes the form of a lamentation. Tyre is pictured as a magnificent merchant ship: beautifully built, richly supplied, staffed by skilled sailors and soldiers, and filled with goods from across the ancient world. The chapter gives one of Scripture’s great pictures of commercial power, worldly beauty, and material prosperity without God. Tyre’s trade reached from Tarshish to Arabia, from Greece to Mesopotamia, from Israel to Damascus, yet the city’s greatness could not save her. The glorious ship would be broken by the east wind and sink in the midst of the seas. The uploaded notes emphasize Tyre’s vast commerce, her pride in beauty, the tragic inclusion of human trafficking among her merchandise, and the final shipwreck of worldly wealth without God.
1. Ezekiel 27:1-3, A lamentation for Tyre.
Ezekiel 27:1, The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 27:2, Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;
Ezekiel 27:3, And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.
The word of the LORD came again unto me shows that this lamentation is not merely Ezekiel’s poetic reflection on Tyre. It is the word of the LORD. God Himself gives the funeral song over the proud commercial city.
Take up a lamentation for Tyrus means Ezekiel is to speak a funeral song before Tyre is fully dead. The city appeared wealthy, powerful, and secure, yet God already saw her end. Prophetic lamentation often treats the judgment as certain before it is historically complete.
O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea describes Tyre’s strategic maritime position. Tyre sat at the gateway of the sea, ruling commerce and trade routes. She was not a large inland empire, but her sea power gave her influence across the Mediterranean world.
Which art a merchant of the people for many isles identifies Tyre as a mercantile city. Her life was trade. Her ships carried goods, wealth, luxury, and influence among many coastlands and islands.
O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty exposes Tyre’s pride. She admired herself. Her wealth, ships, ports, goods, artisans, sailors, and international reach made her think she was perfect in beauty. But beauty without humility becomes pride, and prosperity without God becomes judgment-ready.
2. Ezekiel 27:4-11, The kingdom of Tyre represented as a beautiful ship.
Ezekiel 27:4, Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.
Ezekiel 27:5, They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.
Ezekiel 27:6, Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim.
Ezekiel 27:7, Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.
Ezekiel 27:8, The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.
Ezekiel 27:9, The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.
Ezekiel 27:10, They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.
Ezekiel 27:11, The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.
Thy borders are in the midst of the seas pictures Tyre as a city whose true borders were not merely land boundaries, but sea lanes and commercial routes. Tyre lived in the midst of the seas. Her power was maritime, commercial, and international.
Thy builders have perfected thy beauty continues the theme of Tyre’s splendor. Human skill, wealth, and materials made her appear like a perfect ship. Yet the beauty was outward and temporary. No matter how skillfully the ship was built, it could not survive the judgment of God.
They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir begins the detailed picture of Tyre as a magnificent ship. Senir was associated with Mount Hermon. The ship’s planks were made of fine timber.
They have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee shows that Tyre used the finest materials. Lebanon’s cedars were famous for strength and height. A cedar mast would display both durability and grandeur.
The cedars of Lebanon were also used in Solomon’s temple, showing their value and quality.
1 Kings 5:6, Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars continues the image of costly strength. Bashan was known for strong oaks, and Tyre’s oars were made from them. Every part of the ship is described as excellent.
The company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim shows luxury. Even the benches were inlaid or made beautiful with ivory. Chittim is often associated with Cyprus and the wider Mediterranean world. Tyre’s ship was not merely functional; it was decorated for splendor.
Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail means Tyre’s sail was like a banner of wealth. Egypt’s fine embroidered linen served as the sail, making the ship recognizable and impressive wherever it went.
Blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee points to costly dyed fabrics. Blue and purple were colors of wealth and nobility. Tyre herself was famous for purple dye, and this image highlights her luxury.
The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners means Tyre had skilled sailors from neighboring Phoenician cities. Sidon and Arvad were maritime centers, and Tyre’s ship had expert manpower.
Thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots shows that Tyre had experienced leadership. The pilots guided the ship through the waters. Tyre’s commercial success was not random. It depended on skill, knowledge, navigation, and wisdom in the worldly sense.
The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers means the ship also had skilled repairmen who could seal its seams. Gebal, also known as Byblos, supplied experienced craftsmen. Tyre seemed prepared for any leak or danger.
All the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise shows Tyre’s wide commercial network. Ships from many places came to trade. The world of sea commerce moved through Tyre.
They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war means Tyre employed foreign soldiers. Persia, Lud, and Phut represent distant peoples brought into Tyre’s military service. The ship had not only sailors and merchants, but armed defenders.
They hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness means Tyre’s military equipment also added to her splendor. Even her defenses looked beautiful. Her walls and towers displayed strength and wealth.
The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about shows that Tyre’s defenses were staffed by skilled and loyal soldiers.
The Gammadims were in thy towers likely refers to warriors or a particular group of fighting men. Whether a people-group or a term for valiant men, the point is that Tyre’s towers were manned and defended.
They hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect closes the image of the glorious ship. Tyre seemed complete: strong materials, fine sails, luxury decorations, expert sailors, wise pilots, skilled repairmen, broad commerce, and powerful soldiers. From a human perspective, she looked perfect. But a perfect-looking ship can still sink when God sends the wind.
3. Ezekiel 27:12-24, Tyre’s trade with many nations and cities.
Ezekiel 27:12, Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
Ezekiel 27:13, Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.
Ezekiel 27:14, They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.
Ezekiel 27:15, The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony.
Ezekiel 27:16, Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.
Ezekiel 27:17, Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
Ezekiel 27:18, Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
Ezekiel 27:19, Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.
Ezekiel 27:20, Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.
Ezekiel 27:21, Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants.
Ezekiel 27:22, The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.
Ezekiel 27:23, Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.
Ezekiel 27:24, These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.
Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches begins a long list of Tyre’s trading partners. Tarshish was distant, likely in the western Mediterranean, often associated with Spain. Tyre’s reach extended far across the sea.
Jonah fled toward Tarshish, showing its reputation as a distant western destination.
Jonah 1:3, But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to-Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down-into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
With silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs shows Tyre’s access to valuable metals. The word fairs refers to trading places or markets. Tyre was a hub for metal commerce.
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants refers to peoples associated with Greece and Asia Minor regions. Tyre’s trade reached the Aegean and northern areas.
They traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market is one of the darkest lines in the chapter. Human lives were part of Tyre’s merchandise. They traded slaves along with bronze vessels. The city’s commerce was impressive, but morally corrupt. People made in the image of God were reduced to market goods.
God’s law condemned man-stealing.
Exodus 21:16, And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand,-he shall surely be put to death.
The New Testament also condemns menstealers among the lawless.
1 Timothy 1:9, Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and-disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers-of mothers, for manslayers,
1 Timothy 1:10, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for-perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Amos had already condemned Tyre for slave trading and covenant betrayal.
Amos 1:9, Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not-turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:
Amos 1:10, But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.
They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules shows Tyre’s connection to regions known for animals, especially horses and mules. Togarmah is associated with Armenia or areas north of the land.
The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand shows that Tyre’s trade touched desert routes and sea routes. Dedan appears again later in the list, likely reflecting different regions or trade connections.
They brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony means luxury goods from far away were brought into Tyre. Ivory and ebony were prized and expensive.
Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making shows that Syria traded with Tyre because of Tyre’s manufactured goods and market power.
Emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate shows the luxury character of Tyre’s commerce. Precious stones, dyed cloth, embroidered garments, and costly materials filled her markets.
Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants is striking. Even Judah and Israel had traded with Tyre. Their relationship had not always been hostile. Commercial exchange existed between them.
They traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm shows Israel’s agricultural and medicinal exports. Wheat, honey, oil, and balm were products of the land God gave Israel.
Damascus was thy merchant brings in another major city. Damascus traded because of Tyre’s abundant goods and wealth.
In the wine of Helbon, and white wool refers to quality wine and wool. Tyre’s markets carried both luxury and practical goods.
Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs may refer to trade routes moving back and forth, showing the constant activity of Tyre’s markets.
Bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market adds iron and aromatic products to the list. Cassia and calamus were spices or fragrant substances.
Calamus and cassia were also used in sacred anointing oil, showing their value.
Exodus 30:23, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon-half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Exodus 30:24, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an-hin:
Exodus 30:25, And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the-apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.
Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots shows trade in expensive riding or chariot cloths.
Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar represent desert tribes and Arabian trade networks.
They occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats shows livestock trade. Tyre’s commerce was not only luxury goods; it included animals and food supplies.
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah brings in southern Arabian trade connections.
Chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold shows the richest goods coming into Tyre’s marketplace. Spices, stones, and gold made her markets glitter.
Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad extends the trade list into Mesopotamian and eastern regions. Tyre’s network was enormous.
These were thy merchants in all sorts of things summarizes the vastness of Tyre’s commerce. The chapter’s repetition of merchants, merchandise, markets, and wares gives the sense of a world economy moving through Tyre.
In blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar shows high-end manufactured goods and luxury apparel. Tyre’s markets were full of beauty, craftsmanship, and wealth.
Yet the absence of worship or thanksgiving to God is obvious. Tyre’s world was full of trade, but empty of reverence. She had riches, but not righteousness. She had markets, but not mercy. She had commerce, but also trafficking in human lives.
B. The shipwreck of glorious Tyre.
1. Ezekiel 27:25-28, The sinking of the ship of Tyre.
Ezekiel 27:25, The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.
Ezekiel 27:26, Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.
Ezekiel 27:27, Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
Ezekiel 27:28, The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.
The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market pictures Tyre’s greatness being celebrated by the ships that traded with her. The vessels of distant trade added to Tyre’s fame and glory.
Thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas shows Tyre at the height of prosperity. She was filled with goods, wealth, and reputation. In the midst of the seas, she appeared glorious.
Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters means Tyre’s own skill and success brought her into deep and dangerous places. Her oarsmen had moved her far, commercially and politically. Prosperity carried her into great waters.
The east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas is the turning point. The ship that seemed perfect is broken. The east wind in Scripture often represents a destructive force. Here it pictures the judgment of God breaking Tyre in the place where she felt strongest.
God is the One who can break ships with the east wind.
Psalm 48:7, Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
Tyre’s prosperity could not save her from the wind of God’s judgment. Everything was fine until the LORD broke the ship.
Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise means all Tyre’s wealth and trade would go down together.
Thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise means the whole system would collapse: sailors, navigators, repairmen, merchants, and traders.
All thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee means military strength would not save the ship. Soldiers would sink with merchants.
Shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin means everything Tyre boasted in would be swallowed by the catastrophe. The shipwreck would be total.
The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots means the surrounding lands would tremble when they heard the cry of Tyre’s leaders and navigators. The experts who once guided the ship would cry out helplessly.
2. Ezekiel 27:29-36, The world mourns over the sinking of the ship, Tyre.
Ezekiel 27:29, And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;
Ezekiel 27:30, And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
Ezekiel 27:31, And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.
Ezekiel 27:32, And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?
Ezekiel 27:33, When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.
Ezekiel 27:34, In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.
Ezekiel 27:35, All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance.
Ezekiel 27:36, The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more.
All that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships means the maritime world stops and watches. Those who understand ships and trade best are the ones most shocked. They leave their ships and stand on the land, helpless before Tyre’s disaster.
They shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly means the fall of Tyre brings loud mourning. This is not a quiet economic adjustment. It is catastrophe.
They shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes describes traditional signs of mourning and grief. Tyre’s fall will be treated like a death.
They shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth continues the mourning customs of the nations. Shaving the head was forbidden to Israel as a pagan mourning practice, but among the nations it was a known sign of grief.
Deuteronomy 14:1, Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness-between your eyes for the dead.
They shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing means Tyre’s partners and dependents will grieve deeply. Yet their grief is largely tied to loss of commerce, wealth, and security.
What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea? is the lament’s central question. Tyre had seemed incomparable in greatness. Now she is incomparable in destruction. Her fall is as dramatic as her rise.
When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people means Tyre’s trade had supplied nations. She filled many peoples with goods.
Thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise shows the scale of Tyre’s economic influence. Kings benefited from her commerce. Political powers were enriched through her trade.
In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters repeats the shipwreck image. Tyre’s destruction comes in the very realm of her glory: the sea.
Thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall means the entire commercial world attached to Tyre collapses with her.
All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee means the coastal and island peoples are stunned. They cannot believe that such a city has fallen.
Their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance shows that rulers fear for themselves. If Tyre can fall, they can fall. Her collapse becomes a warning to every proud power built on wealth.
The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee may indicate astonishment, scorn, or a sharp reaction of horror. The merchants who once admired Tyre now recoil at her ruin.
Thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more means Tyre’s judgment becomes a fearful sign. The proud ship goes down and does not return to her former glory.
The fall of Tyre anticipates the later biblical picture of commercial Babylon in Revelation 18. There too the merchants of the earth mourn, not primarily because of righteousness, but because their wealth and commerce have collapsed.
Revelation 18:9, And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her,-and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Revelation 18:10, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that-mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Revelation 18:11, And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise-any more:
Revelation 18:12, The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple,-and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels-of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Revelation 18:13, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour,-and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Revelation 18:14, And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty-and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
Revelation 18:15, The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear-of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Revelation 18:16, And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet,-and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Revelation 18:17, For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the-company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Revelation 18:18, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great-city!
Revelation 18:19, And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas,-that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!-for in one hour is she made desolate.
The connection is sobering. Tyre is a historical example of a broader spiritual pattern: wealth without God, commerce without conscience, beauty without holiness, and human souls treated as merchandise. Such systems may look glorious for a time, but God can sink the ship.
Ezekiel 27 is therefore both lamentation and warning. Tyre was built like a perfect ship, supplied by the finest materials, staffed by skilled men, defended by soldiers, and filled with goods from across the ancient world. But the same ship that seemed glorious in the seas was broken by the east wind. Her riches, merchandise, sailors, pilots, caulkers, soldiers, and merchants all fell together. The nations mourned because their wealth was tied to her. The chapter teaches that material prosperity without God is unstable, that commerce without righteousness becomes corrupt, and that no ship is too beautiful, too wealthy, or too strong for the LORD to sink when pride and greed rule the helm
