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Text -- Ezekiel 27:1-7 (NET)

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Context
A Lament for Tyre
27:1 The word of the Lord came to me: 27:2 “You, son of man, sing a lament for Tyre. 27:3 Say to Tyre, who sits at the entrance of the sea, merchant to the peoples on many coasts, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: “‘O Tyre, you have said, “I am perfectly beautiful.” 27:4 Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders have perfected your beauty. 27:5 They crafted all your planks out of fir trees from Senir; they took a cedar from Lebanon to make your mast. 27:6 They made your oars from oaks of Bashan; they made your deck with cypresses from the Kittean isles. 27:7 Fine linen from Egypt, woven with patterns, was used for your sail to serve as your banner; blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah was used for your deck’s awning.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Bashan a region east of Lake Galilee between Mt. Hermon and Wadi Yarmuk
 · Cyprus an island country located off the east coast of Cilicia in the Mediterranean,the island of Cyprus
 · Egypt descendants of Mizraim
 · Elishah son of Javan son of Japheth son of Noah,a nation of trading people somewhere around the Great Sea (ZD)
 · Lebanon a mountain range and the adjoining regions (IBD)
 · sea the Dead Sea, at the southern end of the Jordan River,the Mediterranean Sea,the Persian Gulf south east of Babylon,the Red Sea
 · Senir a mountain; the Amorite name for Mt. Hermon (OS)
 · Tyre a resident of the town of Tyre


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Weaving, weavers | TYRUS | TRADE | SHIPS AND BOATS | Phenicia | PHOENICIA; PHOENICIANS | Lamentation | KITTIM | Island | ISLAND; ISLE | Haven | FIR | Ezekiel, Book of | Ezekiel | Commerce | Colour | CRAFTS | Banner | BOX-TREE | BEACON | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Eze 27:2 - -- We ought to mourn for the miseries of other nations, as well as of our own, out of an affection for mankind in general; yea, tho' they have brought th...

We ought to mourn for the miseries of other nations, as well as of our own, out of an affection for mankind in general; yea, tho' they have brought them upon themselves.

Wesley: Eze 27:3 - -- Heb. Entrances. She was about four furlongs, or half an English mile from the continent, as it were in the very door of the sea.

Heb. Entrances. She was about four furlongs, or half an English mile from the continent, as it were in the very door of the sea.

Wesley: Eze 27:5 - -- The shipwrights.

The shipwrights.

Wesley: Eze 27:5 - -- The planks and benches, or transoms for their ships.

The planks and benches, or transoms for their ships.

Wesley: Eze 27:5 - -- trees - Of the best and finest fir - trees.

trees - Of the best and finest fir - trees.

Wesley: Eze 27:5 - -- Whose cedars excelled others.

Whose cedars excelled others.

Wesley: Eze 27:6 - -- From the isles, and parts about the Ionian, Aegean, and other seas of the Mediterranean, where box - tree is a native, and of great growth and firmnes...

From the isles, and parts about the Ionian, Aegean, and other seas of the Mediterranean, where box - tree is a native, and of great growth and firmness, fit to saw into boards for benches; they were conveyed to Tyre, where their artists inlaid these box boards with ivory, and made them beautiful seats in their ships.

Wesley: Eze 27:7 - -- Probably the sea - coast of Aeolis in the lesser Asia, the inhabitants whereof were excellent in the skill of dying wool.

Probably the sea - coast of Aeolis in the lesser Asia, the inhabitants whereof were excellent in the skill of dying wool.

Wesley: Eze 27:7 - -- He speaks of the coverings they used in their ships or galleys: their tilts, as our boat - men call them.

He speaks of the coverings they used in their ships or galleys: their tilts, as our boat - men call them.

JFB: Eze 27:2 - -- A funeral dirge, eulogizing her great attributes, to make the contrast the greater between her former and her latter state.

A funeral dirge, eulogizing her great attributes, to make the contrast the greater between her former and her latter state.

JFB: Eze 27:3 - -- Literally, plural, "entrances," that is, ports or havens; referring to the double port of Tyre, at which vessels entered round the north and south end...

Literally, plural, "entrances," that is, ports or havens; referring to the double port of Tyre, at which vessels entered round the north and south ends of the island, so that ships could find a ready entrance from whatever point the wind might blow (compare Eze 28:2).

JFB: Eze 27:3 - -- That is, a mercantile emporium of the peoples of many seacoasts, both from the east and from the west (Isa 23:3), "a mart of nations."

That is, a mercantile emporium of the peoples of many seacoasts, both from the east and from the west (Isa 23:3), "a mart of nations."

JFB: Eze 27:3 - -- (Eze 28:12).

JFB: Eze 27:4 - -- Tyre, in consonance with her seagirt position, separated by a strait of half a mile from the mainland, is described as a ship built of the best materi...

Tyre, in consonance with her seagirt position, separated by a strait of half a mile from the mainland, is described as a ship built of the best material, and manned with the best mariners and skilful pilots, but at last wrecked in tempestuous seas (Eze 27:26).

JFB: Eze 27:5 - -- The Amorite name of Hermon, or the southern height of Anti-libanus (Deu 3:9); the Sidonian name was Sirion. "All thy . . . boards"; dual in Hebrew, "d...

The Amorite name of Hermon, or the southern height of Anti-libanus (Deu 3:9); the Sidonian name was Sirion. "All thy . . . boards"; dual in Hebrew, "double-boards," namely, placed in a double order on the two sides of which the ship consisted [VATABLUS]. Or, referring to the two sides or the two ends, the prow and the stern, which every ship has [MUNSTER].

JFB: Eze 27:5 - -- Most suited for "masts," from their height and durability.

Most suited for "masts," from their height and durability.

JFB: Eze 27:6 - -- Celebrated for its oaks, as Lebanon was for its cedars.

Celebrated for its oaks, as Lebanon was for its cedars.

JFB: Eze 27:6 - -- The most skilful workmen summoned from Assyria. Rather, as the Hebrew orthography requires, "They have made thy (rowing) benches of ivory inlaid in th...

The most skilful workmen summoned from Assyria. Rather, as the Hebrew orthography requires, "They have made thy (rowing) benches of ivory inlaid in the daughter of cedars" [MAURER], or, the best boxwood. FAIRBAIRN, with BOCHART, reads the Hebrew two words as one: "Thy plankwork (deck: instead of 'benches,' as the Hebrew is singular) they made ivory with boxes." English Version, with MAURER'S correction, is simpler.

JFB: Eze 27:6 - -- Cyprus and Macedonia, from which, PLINY tells us, the best boxwood came [GROTIUS].

Cyprus and Macedonia, from which, PLINY tells us, the best boxwood came [GROTIUS].

JFB: Eze 27:7 - -- The ancients embroidered their sails often at great expense, especially the Egyptians, whose linen, still preserved in mummies, is of the finest textu...

The ancients embroidered their sails often at great expense, especially the Egyptians, whose linen, still preserved in mummies, is of the finest texture.

JFB: Eze 27:7 - -- Greece; so called from Elis, a large and ancient division of Peloponnesus. Pausanias says that the best of linen was produced in it, and in no other p...

Greece; so called from Elis, a large and ancient division of Peloponnesus. Pausanias says that the best of linen was produced in it, and in no other part of Greece; called by HOMER, Alisium.

JFB: Eze 27:7 - -- Thy awning.

Thy awning.

Clarke: Eze 27:2 - -- Take up a lamentation for Tyrus - This is a singular and curious chapter. It gives a very circumstantial account of the trade of Tyre with different...

Take up a lamentation for Tyrus - This is a singular and curious chapter. It gives a very circumstantial account of the trade of Tyre with different parts of the world, and the different sorts of merchandise in which she trafficked. The places and the imports are as regularly entered here as they could have been in a European custom-house.

Clarke: Eze 27:3 - -- The entry of the sea - Tyre was a small island, or rather rock, in the sea, at a short distance from the main land. We have already seen that there ...

The entry of the sea - Tyre was a small island, or rather rock, in the sea, at a short distance from the main land. We have already seen that there was another Tyre on the main land; but they are both considered as one city.

Clarke: Eze 27:4 - -- Thy builders have perfected thy beauty - Under the allegory of a beautiful ship, the prophet, here and in the following verses, paints the glory of ...

Thy builders have perfected thy beauty - Under the allegory of a beautiful ship, the prophet, here and in the following verses, paints the glory of this ancient city. Horace describes the commonwealth of Rome by the same allegory, and is as minute in his description, Carm. lib. 1. Od. xiv: -

O navis, referent in mare te nov

Fluctus? O quid agis? Fortiter occup

Portum. Nonne video, u

Nudum remigio latus

Et malus celeri saucius Africo

Antennaeque gemant? ac sine funibu

Vix durare carinae Possint imperiosiu

Aequor! non tibi sunt integra lintea

Non Di, quos iterum pressa votes malo

Quamvis Pontica pinus

Sylvae filia nobilis

Jactes et genus, et nomen inutil

Nil pictis timidus navita puppibu

Fidit. Tu, nisi, venti

Debes ludibrium, cave

Unhappy vessel, shall the waves agai

Tumultuous bear thee to the faithless main

What, would thy madness thus with storms to sport

Cast firm your anchor in the friendly port

Behold thy naked decks, the wounded mast

And sail-yards groan beneath the southern blast

Nor, without ropes, thy keel can longer brav

The rushing fury of the imperious wave

Torn are thy sails; thy guardian gods are lost

Whom you might call, in future tempests tost

What, though majestic in your pride you stood

A noble daughter of the Pontic wood

You now may vainly boast an empty name

Of birth conspicuous in the rolls of fame

The mariner, when storms around him rise

No longer on a painted stern relies

Ah! yet take heed, lest these new tempests sweep

In sportive rage, thy glories to the deep

Francis

I give this as a striking parallel to many passages in this chapter.

Clarke: Eze 27:5 - -- Fir trees of Senir - Senir is a mountain which the Sidonians called Sirion, and the Hebrews Hermon, Deu 3:9. It was beyond Jordan, and extended from...

Fir trees of Senir - Senir is a mountain which the Sidonians called Sirion, and the Hebrews Hermon, Deu 3:9. It was beyond Jordan, and extended from Libanus to the mountains of Gilead.

Clarke: Eze 27:6 - -- Of the oaks of Bashan - Some translate alder, others the pine

Of the oaks of Bashan - Some translate alder, others the pine

Clarke: Eze 27:6 - -- The company of the Ashurites - The word אשרים asherim is by several translated boxwood. The seats or benches being made of this wood inlaid ...

The company of the Ashurites - The word אשרים asherim is by several translated boxwood. The seats or benches being made of this wood inlaid with ivory

Clarke: Eze 27:6 - -- Isles of Chittim - The Italian islands; the islands of Greece; Cyprus. Calmet says Macedonia is meant.

Isles of Chittim - The Italian islands; the islands of Greece; Cyprus. Calmet says Macedonia is meant.

Clarke: Eze 27:7 - -- Fine linen - שש shesh , cotton cloth. In this sense the word is generally to be understood

Fine linen - שש shesh , cotton cloth. In this sense the word is generally to be understood

Clarke: Eze 27:7 - -- To be thy sail - Probably the flag - ensign or pennant, is meant

To be thy sail - Probably the flag - ensign or pennant, is meant

Clarke: Eze 27:7 - -- Blue and purple from the isles of Elishah - Elis, a part of the Peloponnesus.

Blue and purple from the isles of Elishah - Elis, a part of the Peloponnesus.

Defender: Eze 27:3 - -- "Isles" refers both to islands and to coasts, any city bordered by the sea. Tyre was on the Mediterranean and had colonies on many coasts."

"Isles" refers both to islands and to coasts, any city bordered by the sea. Tyre was on the Mediterranean and had colonies on many coasts."

Defender: Eze 27:4 - -- The "borders" of Tyre were, indeed many, for the Phoenicians founded the great city of Carthage, as well as colonies in Spain, England and elsewhere. ...

The "borders" of Tyre were, indeed many, for the Phoenicians founded the great city of Carthage, as well as colonies in Spain, England and elsewhere. Some evidence is accumulating that her mariners sailed around Africa and even reached the Americas."

TSK: Eze 27:2 - -- Eze 27:32, Eze 19:1, Eze 26:17, Eze 28:12, Eze 32:2; Jer 7:20, Jer 9:10,Jer 9:17-20; Amo 5:1, Amo 5:16

TSK: Eze 27:3 - -- O thou : Tyre was situated in the Mediterranean, at the nearest entrance to it from the interior and eastern part of Asia. Eze 27:4, Eze 27:25, Eze 26...

O thou : Tyre was situated in the Mediterranean, at the nearest entrance to it from the interior and eastern part of Asia. Eze 27:4, Eze 27:25, Eze 26:17, Eze 28:2, Eze 28:3; Isa 23:2

a merchant : Ezek. 27:12-36; Isa 23:3, Isa 23:8, Isa 23:11; Rev 18:3, Rev 18:11-15

I am : Eze 27:4, Eze 27:10,Eze 27:11, Eze 28:12-17; Psa 50:2; Isa 23:9

of perfect beauty : Heb. perfect of beauty

TSK: Eze 27:4 - -- midst : Heb. heart, Eze 26:5

midst : Heb. heart, Eze 26:5

TSK: Eze 27:5 - -- made : Heb. built of Senir : Deu 3:9; Son 4:8, Shenir cedars : 1Ki 5:1, 1Ki 5:6; Psa 29:5, Psa 92:12, Psa 104:16; Isa 14:8

made : Heb. built

of Senir : Deu 3:9; Son 4:8, Shenir

cedars : 1Ki 5:1, 1Ki 5:6; Psa 29:5, Psa 92:12, Psa 104:16; Isa 14:8

TSK: Eze 27:6 - -- the oaks : Isa 2:13; Zec 11:2 the company : etc. or, they have made thy hatches of ivory well trodden, Rather, ""thy benches have they made of ivory i...

the oaks : Isa 2:13; Zec 11:2

the company : etc. or, they have made thy hatches of ivory well trodden, Rather, ""thy benches have they made of ivory inlaid with box, from the isles of Chittim.""Vulgate, de insulis Italie ""from the islands of Italy,""which were always famous for box-trees.

company : Heb. daughters

the isles : Gen 10:4, Kittim, Num 24:24; Jer 2:10

TSK: Eze 27:7 - -- linen : 1Ki 10:28; Pro 7:16; Isa 19:9 blue and purple : or, purple and scarlet, Exo 25:4; Jer 10:9 Elishah : Elis, part of the Peloponnesus, extending...

linen : 1Ki 10:28; Pro 7:16; Isa 19:9

blue and purple : or, purple and scarlet, Exo 25:4; Jer 10:9

Elishah : Elis, part of the Peloponnesus, extending along the western coast of Arcadia, north of Messenia, and south of Achaia. Gen 10:4; 1Ch 1:7

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Eze 27:1 - -- The dirge of Tyre written in poetical form. Tyre is compared to a fair vessel, to whose equipment the various nations of the world contribute, launc...

The dirge of Tyre written in poetical form. Tyre is compared to a fair vessel, to whose equipment the various nations of the world contribute, launching forth in majesty, to be wrecked and to perish. The nations enumerated point out Tyre as the center of commerce between the eastern and western world. This position, occupied for a short time by Jerusalem, was long maintained by Tyre, until the erection of Alexandria supplanted her in this traffic. Compare the dirge of Babylon Isa. 14:3-23; in each case the city named represents the world-power antagonistic to God.

Barnes: Eze 27:3 - -- Entry - literally, "entries."Ancient Tyre had two ports, that called the Sidonian to the north, the Egyptian to the south; the former exists to...

Entry - literally, "entries."Ancient Tyre had two ports, that called the Sidonian to the north, the Egyptian to the south; the former exists to the present day. The term "entry of the sea"is naturally enough applied to a harbor as a place from which ships enter and return from the sea. The city was known in the earliest times as "Tyre the port."

Barnes: Eze 27:5 - -- Fir-trees (or, cypress) of Senir - The name by which the Amorites knew Mount Hermon.

Fir-trees (or, cypress) of Senir - The name by which the Amorites knew Mount Hermon.

Barnes: Eze 27:6 - -- The company ... ivory - Rather, "thy benches (or, deck) made they of ivory with boxwood"(or, larch), i. e., boxwood inlaid with ivory. The...

The company ... ivory - Rather, "thy benches (or, deck) made they of ivory with boxwood"(or, larch), i. e., boxwood inlaid with ivory.

The isles - (or, coasts) of Chittim is a phrase used constantly for Greece and the Grecian islands. It may probably be extended to other islands in the Mediterranean sea Gen 10:5, and there ivory may have been brought from the coasts of North Africa.

Barnes: Eze 27:7 - -- Or, "Fine linen Gen 41:42 with embroidery from Egypt was"thy sail that it might be to thee for a banner. Sails from Egypt were worked with various f...

Or, "Fine linen Gen 41:42 with embroidery from Egypt was"thy sail that it might be to thee for a banner. Sails from Egypt were worked with various figures upon them which served as a device. Their boats had no separate pennons.

Blue and purple - Tyrian purple was famous. The Tyrians no doubt imported from the neighboring coasts the mollusks from which they dyed the fine linen of Egypt.

Isles of Elishah - See Gen 10:4. Elishah is considered equivalent to the Greek AEolis on the western coast of Asia Minor. This and the islands adjacent would very naturally have commerce with the Tyrians. In early days the supply of the murex from the coast of Phoenicia had been insufficient for the Tyrian manufactures. The isles of Greece abounded in the mollusks.

That which covered thee - As an awning.

Poole: Eze 27:2 - -- Pen a mournful narrative of Tyre’ s fall, tell the world what she was, and what she is come to; both city and citizens too.

Pen a mournful narrative of Tyre’ s fall, tell the world what she was, and what she is come to; both city and citizens too.

Poole: Eze 27:3 - -- Personate Tyre as near thee, and hearing what thou sayest unto or of her; describe her, that she may know thou speakest to her. That art situate t...

Personate Tyre as near thee, and hearing what thou sayest unto or of her; describe her, that she may know thou speakest to her.

That art situate that dwellest, so the Hebrew.

The entry Heb. entrances , she was but four furlongs, or five hundred paces, or half our English mile, from the continent, as it were in the very door of the sea, far enough off to have convenient harbors between her and the continent, and to be out of danger of sudden or easy surprises.

A merchant a rich and populous emporium or mart for all commodities, either to vend or buy to islanders, or those that dwell on firm land.

Thou hast said in thy riches, strength, alliances, and trade, thou art grown proud, thou hast thought and said too a great deal more than becomes a changeable state.

I am of perfect beauty: thou hast boasted of the excellency of thy government, the strength of thy city, the inaccessibleness of thy situation, nearness, strength, and obligations of thy allies, and as if nothing were wanting to perpetuate thy glory and happiness, poor self-flattering Tyre! But let us view particulars.

Poole: Eze 27:4 - -- Weak borders, which an enemy easily breaks through, are a great defect in a state; well, Tyre, thou art well secured here, thine are in the sea that...

Weak borders, which an enemy easily breaks through, are a great defect in a state; well, Tyre, thou art well secured here, thine are in the sea that surrounds and secureth thee.

Thy builders thy first founders, whoever they were; Agenor king of Phoenice chose wisely to build a city in safety: or by builders may be meant those who in aftertimes did add to the first foundation: these were masters of their art, and added this to the natural strength and beauty of the place; thus thou art perfected at home.

Poole: Eze 27:5 - -- They thy shipwrights. Ship-boards the planks, and benches, or transoms, for their ships. Of fir trees of the best and finest fir trees of Senir ...

They thy shipwrights.

Ship-boards the planks, and benches, or transoms, for their ships.

Of fir trees of the best and finest fir trees

of Senir i.e. Hermen, Deu 3:9 .

Cedars for height, strength, durableness, and pleasing smell, beside smoothness of grain, and fitness for curious carvings, the best of trees.

From Lebanon whose cedars excelled others.

Poole: Eze 27:6 - -- Oaks of pines, say some; of chesnut-trees, say others: but, since oaks, and those of Bashan, are famous in sacred dendrology, I know not why we shoul...

Oaks of pines, say some; of chesnut-trees, say others: but, since oaks, and those of Bashan, are famous in sacred dendrology, I know not why we should not keep to our own version, since the primary notation of the Hebrew leads us to it.

The company of the Ashurites: as we read these words, there arise many difficulties in the expounding them. If the conjecture of the learned Bochart be well considered, it will seem very probable the words would be better rendered thus; Thy benches they have made of ivory, with box brought out, &c. For the isles of Chittim afforded many amid large box trees, Whereas ivory, or the elephant’ s tooth, we know, is the merchandise of other countries, and the elephant a foreigner to all the parts of Europe; nor are the teeth of elephants of that largeness to afford breadth for seats and benches; nor shall we find any such company of Ashurites, if we inquire for them. I shall therefore subscribe to that learned man in the opinion, that here are two words read divided, and by mistake translated as divided words, which ought to have been read in one word, and so translated as it is in Isa 41:19 , where we translate Myvah , box ; then all is plain, and the sense this, That from the isles, and parts about the Ionian,

Poole: Eze 27:7 - -- Fine linen whereas thrift teaches us to use the coarse linen for like purposes, these prodigal Tyrians used the finest silken sails, as we may render...

Fine linen whereas thrift teaches us to use the coarse linen for like purposes, these prodigal Tyrians used the finest silken sails, as we may render the words.

With broidered work divers figures, curiously drawn with the needle in this fine linen, which made exceeding costly sails; yet pride and wantonness in some of them went to the charges of it.

From Egypt where was much of this fine linen, and many of these neat embroiderers.

Blue or violet colour, and purple; both rich and noble colours: the garments of great men and princes were made hereof, Gen 41:42 Pro 31:22 ; see Eze 16:10 .

From the isles of Elishah either from the sea-coast of

Haydock: Eze 27:2 - -- Lamentation. Such canticles were usual, and very poetical.

Lamentation. Such canticles were usual, and very poetical.

Haydock: Eze 27:3 - -- Entry, whence merchants may proceed from an excellent harbour to any place.

Entry, whence merchants may proceed from an excellent harbour to any place.

Haydock: Eze 27:4 - -- Neighbours of Sidon, Josue xix. 29. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "thy children." Protestants, "thy builders." (Haydock) --- The description of the T...

Neighbours of Sidon, Josue xix. 29. (Calmet) ---

Septuagint, "thy children." Protestants, "thy builders." (Haydock) ---

The description of the Tyrian grandeur, shews their more woeful ruin. (Worthington)

Haydock: Eze 27:5 - -- Thee. Hebrew, "all thy ship -boards." (Septuagint) (Protestants) (Haydock) --- St. Jerome has divided (Calmet) leuthim, "decks of the sea," a...

Thee. Hebrew, "all thy ship -boards." (Septuagint) (Protestants) (Haydock) ---

St. Jerome has divided (Calmet) leuthim, "decks of the sea," as yam denotes the sea. (Haydock)

Haydock: Eze 27:6 - -- Benches. Septuagint, "temples." --- Italy. Hebrew Cetim. Macedonia. (Bochart) (Calmet) --- All distant places were styled islands, (Haydock...

Benches. Septuagint, "temples." ---

Italy. Hebrew Cetim. Macedonia. (Bochart) (Calmet) ---

All distant places were styled islands, (Haydock) when they went by water to them.

Haydock: Eze 27:7 - -- Linen. Cotton, (Exodus xxv. 4.) used for standards. Septuagint, "for bed coverlets," or for sails. --- Mast. Cleopatra and Caligula were still m...

Linen. Cotton, (Exodus xxv. 4.) used for standards. Septuagint, "for bed coverlets," or for sails. ---

Mast. Cleopatra and Caligula were still more sumptuous in their sails. ---

Elisa, or Elis, famous for purple: yet Tyre was more so.

Gill: Eze 27:1 - -- The word of the Lord came again unto me,.... Upon the same subject, the destruction of Tyre: saying; as follows:

The word of the Lord came again unto me,.... Upon the same subject, the destruction of Tyre:

saying; as follows:

Gill: Eze 27:2 - -- Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus. Compose an elegy, and sing it; make a mournful noise, and deliver out a funeral ditty; such as ...

Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus. Compose an elegy, and sing it; make a mournful noise, and deliver out a funeral ditty; such as the "praeficae", or mournful women, made at funerals, in which they said all they could in praise of the dead, and made very doleful lamentations for them: this the prophet was to do in a prophetic manner, for the confirmation of what was prophesied of by him; and it may teach us, that even wicked men are to be pitied, when in distress and calamity.

Gill: Eze 27:3 - -- And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea,.... Of the Mediterranean sea; at the eastern part of it, not above half a mile fr...

And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea,.... Of the Mediterranean sea; at the eastern part of it, not above half a mile from the continent; and so fit for a seaport, and a harbour for shipping; so mystical Tyre sits on many waters, Rev 17:1,

which art a merchant of the people for many isles; the inhabitants of many isles brought the produce of them to her; who took them off their hands, or sold them for them to others; these came from several quarters to trade with her in her markets; and who supplied other isles and countries with all sorts of commodities, for which they either resorted to her, or she sent by ships unto them; so Rome is represented as the seat of merchandise, Rev 18:7,

thus saith the Lord God, O Tyrus, thou hast said; in thine heart, in the pride of it, and with thy mouth, praising and commending thyself; which is not right:

I am of perfect beauty: built on a good foundation, a rock; surrounded with walls and towers; the streets arranged in order, and filled with goodly houses; having a good harbour for shipping, and being a mart for all manner of merchandise, Jerusalem being destroyed, Tyre assumes her character, Psa 48:2.

Gill: Eze 27:4 - -- Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, Fixed by the Lord himself, and which could never be removed. Tyre stood about half a mile from the continent...

Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, Fixed by the Lord himself, and which could never be removed. Tyre stood about half a mile from the continent, surrounded with the waters of the sea, till it was made a peninsula by Alexander:

thy builders have perfected thy beauty. The Sidonians were the first builders of the city, as Justin q says; who began and carried on the building of it to the utmost of their knowledge and skill; and which was afterwards perfected by other builders, who made it the most beautiful city in all those parts; unless this is to be understood of her shipbuilders, who brought the art of building ships in her to such a perfection, as made her famous throughout the world; since they are immediately spoken of without any other antecedent.

Gill: Eze 27:5 - -- They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir,.... The same with Sion and Hermon, which the Sidonians called Sirion, and the Amorites Sheni...

They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir,.... The same with Sion and Hermon, which the Sidonians called Sirion, and the Amorites Shenir, Deu 3:9 here, it seems, grew the best of fir trees, of which the Tyrians made boards and planks for shipping; of these the two sides of the ship, as the word r here used in the dual number is thought to signify, or the fore and hind decks, were made. The Targum is,

"with fir trees of Senir they built for thee all thy bridges;''

the planks from which they went from one ship to another; but these are of too small consequence to be mentioned; rather the main of the ship is intended, which was built of fir planks; but ours made of oak are much preferable:

they have taken cedars from Lebanon, to make masts for thee; large poles for the yards and sails to be fastened to, for receiving the wind necessary in navigation; called the main mast, the foremast, the mizzenmast, and the boltsprit; all these are only in large vessels; whether the Tyrians had all of these is not certain; some they had, and which were made of the cedars of Lebanon; which, being large tall trees, were fit for this purpose. The Tyrians s are said to be the first inventors of navigation.

Gill: Eze 27:6 - -- Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars,.... To row the ships with; for their ships probably were no other than galleys, which were rowed with...

Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars,.... To row the ships with; for their ships probably were no other than galleys, which were rowed with oars, as were the ships of first invention. Bashan was a country in Judea where oaks grew; see Isa 2:13. The country of Judea in general was famous for oaks; it abounded with them in the times of Homer t, who speaks of Typho being buried in a country abounding with oaks, among the rich or fat people of Judea; and he seems to design Bashan particularly, of which Og was king, whom he calls Typho, and of whose bed he makes mention in the same place; hence several places in Judea had their names from the oaks which grew, there, as Elonmoreh, Allonbachuth, Elonmeonenim, Elontabor, and Elonbethhanan, Gen 12:6 and which one would have thought were fitter to make their ships of; but of these only their oars were made:

the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim; the benches for the towers to sit on, or for others in the cabin and decks; but that these should be wholly of ivory is not very probable; nor was ivory brought from the isles of Chittim, but from other parts; nor is it easy to say who the company of the Ashurites were; some say the Assyrians; but why they should be so called is not plain. Jarchi makes בת אשרים to be but one word, which signifies box trees, as it is used in Isa 41:19 and he supposes that these benches, or be they what they will, were made of box trees covered or inlaid with ivory. So the Targum,

"the lintels of thy gates (the hatches) were planks of box tree inlaid with ivory;''

which box, and not the ivory, was brought from the isles of Chittim; either from Cyprus, where was a place called Citium; or from Macedonia, from whence box was fetched; or from the province of Apulia, as the Targum; where there might be plenty of it, as in Corsica, and other places, where particularly the best box grows, as Pliny u says. Jerom interprets Cittin of Italy; and Ben Gorion says w that Cittim are the Romans.

Gill: Eze 27:7 - -- Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt,.... From whence came the finest and whitest linen; and which they embroidered with needlework, which looked...

Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt,.... From whence came the finest and whitest linen; and which they embroidered with needlework, which looked very beautiful. Pliny x says there were four sorts of linen in Egypt, called Tanitic, Pelusiac, Butic, and Tentyritic, from the names and provinces where they were produced; of the second sort the garments of the high priest among the Jews were made; for they say y, on the day of atonement he was in the morning clothed with Pelusiac garments; that is, with garments made of linen which came from Pelusium, a well known city in Egypt; and which Jarchi z says was the best, and in the greatest esteem; and one of the Misnic commentators says a that the linen from Pelusium is fine and beautiful, and comes from the land of Raamses; and observes, that, in the Jerusalem Targum, Raamses is said to be Pelusium; but though they are not one and the same place, yet they are both in the same country, Egypt, and near one another; and with this sort of linen the priests of Hercules were clothed, according to Silius b; and so the שש, "shesh", or linen, of which the garments of the Jewish priests in common were made, was linen from Egypt; and which their Rabbins c say is the best, and is only found there. The Phoenicians, of which Tyre was a principal city, took linen of Egypt, and traded with other nations with it, as well as made use of it for themselves; particularly with the Ethiopians, the inhabitants of the isle of Cernes, now called the Canaries, who took of them Egyptian goods, as linen, &c.; in lieu of which they had of them elephants' teeth, the skins of lions, leopards, deer, and other creatures d: now such fine linen as this

was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail: not content with canvass or coarse linen, which would have done as well, they must have the finest Egyptian linen, and this very curiously embroidered, to make their sails of they spread upon their masts, to receive the wind; at least this they spread "for a flag" e, standard or ensign, as, the word may be rendered; when they hoisted up their colours on any occasion, they were such as these: "blue and purple, from the isles of Elishah, was that which covered thee"; meaning not garments made of cloth of these colours, which the master of the vessel or mariners wore; but the tilts, or tents, or canopies erected on the decks, where they sat sheltered from the rain, wind, or sun; these were made of stuff died of a violet and purple colour, the best they could get; and which they fetched from the isles of Elishah, or the Aegean sea, from Coa, Rhodia, Nisyrus, and other places famous for purple, as Tyre itself afterwards was. The Targum is,

"from the province of Italy;''

or of Apulia, as others f; see Rev 18:12.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Eze 27:2 Heb “lift up over Tyre a lament.”

NET Notes: Eze 27:3 Rome, another economic power, is described in a similar way in Rev 17:1.

NET Notes: Eze 27:4 The city of Tyre is described in the following account as a merchant ship.

NET Notes: Eze 27:5 Perhaps the hull or deck. The term is dual, so perhaps it refers to a double-decked ship.

NET Notes: Eze 27:6 The Kittean isles is probably a reference to southeast Cyprus where the Phoenicians had a colony.

NET Notes: Eze 27:7 This is probably a reference to Cyprus.

Geneva Bible: Eze 27:3 And say to Tyre, O thou that dwelleth at the entrance of the sea, [which art] a merchant ( a ) of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; ...

Geneva Bible: Eze 27:5 They have made all thy [ship] planks of fir trees of ( b ) Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee. ( b ) This mountain was...

Geneva Bible: Eze 27:6 [Of] the oaks of Bashan have they made thy oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches [of] ivory, [brought] out of the isles of ( c ) Ch...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Eze 27:1-36 - --1 The riches and commerce of Tyrus.26 The great and irrecoverable fall thereof.

MHCC: Eze 27:1-25 - --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 sanc...

Matthew Henry: Eze 27:1-25 - -- 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...

Keil-Delitzsch: Eze 27:1-11 - -- The lamentation commences with a picture of the glory of the city of Tyre, its situation, its architectural beauty, its military strength and defenc...

Constable: Eze 25:1--32:32 - --III. Oracles against foreign nations chs. 25--32 It is appropriate that this section appears at this point in Ez...

Constable: Eze 26:1--28:20 - --B. Judgment on Tyre 26:1-28:19 The length of this oracle reflects the great significance of Tyre at this...

Constable: Eze 27:1-36 - --2. A funeral dirge over Tyre ch. 27 This chapter consists of prose (vv. 1-3a, 10-25a) and poetic...

Constable: Eze 27:1-11 - --The great ship Tyre 27:1-11 27:1-3 The Lord instructed Ezekiel to write a lamentation over Tyre, though presently it was renowned for its seafaring an...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) The name Ezekiel means "(whom) God will strengthen" [GESENIUS]; or, "God will prevail" [ROSENMULLER]. His father was Buzi (Eze 1:3), a priest, and he ...

JFB: Ezekiel (Outline) EZEKIEL'S VISION BY THE CHEBAR. FOUR CHERUBIM AND WHEELS. (Eze. 1:1-28) EZEKIEL'S COMMISSION. (Eze 2:1-10) EZEKIEL EATS THE ROLL. IS COMMISSIONED TO ...

TSK: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) The character of Ezekiel, as a Writer and Poet, is thus admirably drawn by the masterly hand of Bishop Lowth: " Ezekiel is much inferior to Jeremiah ...

TSK: Ezekiel 27 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Eze 27:1, The riches and commerce of Tyrus; Eze 27:26, The great and irrecoverable fall thereof.

Poole: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL THE ARGUMENT EZEKIEL was by descent a priest, and by commission a prophet, and received it from heaven, as will appea...

Poole: Ezekiel 27 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 27 The riches and large commerce of Tyre, Eze 27:1-25 . Her great and irrecoverable fall, Eze 27:26-36 .

MHCC: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) Ezekiel was one of the priests; he was carried captive to Chaldea with Jehoiachin. All his prophecies appear to have been delivered in that country, a...

MHCC: Ezekiel 27 (Chapter Introduction) (v. 1-25) The merchandise of Tyre. (Eze 27:26-36) Its fall and ruin.

Matthew Henry: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel When we entered upon the writings of the prophets, which speak of the ...

Matthew Henry: Ezekiel 27 (Chapter Introduction) Still we are attending the funeral of Tyre and the lamentations made for the fall of that renowned city. In this chapter we have, I. A large accou...

Constable: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) Introduction Title and Writer The title of this book comes from its writer, Ezekiel, t...

Constable: Ezekiel (Outline) Outline I. Ezekiel's calling and commission chs. 1-3 A. The vision of God's glory ch. 1 ...

Constable: Ezekiel Ezekiel Bibliography Ackroyd, Peter R. Exile and Restoration. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1968. ...

Haydock: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) THE PROPHECY OF EZECHIEL. INTRODUCTION. Ezechiel, whose name signifies the strength of God, was of the priestly race, and of the number of t...

Gill: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL This book is rightly placed after Jeremiah; since Ezekiel was among the captives in Chaldea, when prophesied; whereas Jerem...

Gill: Ezekiel 27 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 27 This chapter contains a lamentation on Tyre; setting forth her former grandeur, riches, and commerce; her ruin and destr...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


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