Keraia
Ezekiel 27

Ezekiel 27:3

A Lament for Tyre · Ezekiel 27:1–36
Read Ezekiel 27

Translations

Modern
Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, that this is what the Lord GOD says: You have said, O Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’
Traditional
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.
Literal
…and to Tyre, the one dwelling at the entrances of the sea, being merchant of the peoples on many coasts, say, thus says the Lord YHWH: O Tyre, you have said: ‘I am perfect in beauty.’
Latin
…et dices Tyro, quæ habitat in introitu maris, negotiationi populorum ad insulas multas: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: O Tyre, tu dixisti: Perfecti decoris ego sum,

Original

Hebrew
English
Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, that this is what the Lord GOD says: You have said, O Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’

Notes

Ezekiel 27:1–36

The second part of the prophet’s message to Tyre (see study note on Ezekiel 26:1–28:19) is a funeral song.

The song compares Tyre’s past glory with its present loss. It connects with the previous chapter in several ways. Both speak directly to Tyre. Both describe Tyre as a gateway and a center of trade (see Ezekiel 26:1–2). Both end with the same message: Tyre has come to a terrible end and will exist no more (compare Ezekiel 26:21).

Ezekiel 26:1–28:19

The message against Tyre, Israel’s northwestern neighbor, is more detailed than the short messages before it. It consists of three similar sections (Ezekiel 26:2–21; 27:1–36; and 28:1–19). Each section conveys the same idea: Tyre would meet a terrible end and cease to exist (Ezekiel 27:36).

Ezekiel 25:1–32:32

  • This section contains a series of messages of judgment against nearby nations. There are six shorter messages against Judah's immediate neighbors, arranged in a clockwise order, followed by a final message against Egypt (Ezekiel 30–32). Through experiencing God's judgment, the nations would recognize God's control over everything. The nations might be used to carry out God's judgment on his people, but they would not avoid judgment themselves.

  • One of the main purposes of these messages was to show that the negative part of God's promise to Abraham ("I will … curse those who curse you," Genesis 12:3) was still active. No one can harm God's people and avoid consequences, even when God's people are under his judgment.

Theme notes and profiles

Messages Against the Nations

Events

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Tyre: A major Phoenician port city, known for its trade

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Cloth and Cloth Manufacturing Ezekiel, Book of Lebanon Lord Phoenicia, Phoenicians

Topics

Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial The Sea: Commercial Nations: Often Built Cities on the Borders of Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Beauty Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Commerce