---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Ezekiel 27"
description: "CHAPTER 27   :-. TYRE"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27"
---

CHAPTER 27

. TYRE'S FORMER
GREATNESS, SUGGESTING
A LAMENTATION OVER
HER SAD
DOWNFALL.

**2. lamentation**—a funeral
dirge, eulogizing her great attributes, to make the contrast the
greater between her former and her latter state.

**3. situate at the entry of the
sea**—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 [Ezekiel 28:2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/28/2)).
**merchant of . . . people for
many isles**—that is, a mercantile emporium of the peoples of
many seacoasts, both from the east and from the west ([Ezekiel 28:2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/28/2)), "a mart of nations."
**of perfect beauty**— ([Ezekiel 28:2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/28/2)).

**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 material, and
manned with the best mariners and skilful pilots, but at last wrecked
in tempestuous seas ([Ezekiel 27:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/26)).

**5. Senir**—the Amorite name of
Hermon, or the southern height of Anti-libanus (); 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].
**cedars**—most suited for
"masts," from their height and durability.

**6. Bashan**—celebrated for its
oaks, as Lebanon was for its cedars.
**the company of . . .
Ashurites**—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.
**Chittim**—Cyprus and
Macedonia, from which, PLINY
tells us, the best boxwood came [GROTIUS].

**7. broidered . . . sail**—The
ancients embroidered their sails often at great expense, especially
the Egyptians, whose linen, still preserved in mummies, is of the
finest texture.
**Elishah**—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.*
**that which covered thee**—thy
awning.

**8. Arvad**—a small island and
city near Phoelignicia, now *Ruad:* its inhabitants are still
noted for seafaring habits.
**thy wise men, O Tyrus . . .
thy pilots**—While the men of Arvad, once thy equals (), and the Sidonians, once thy superiors, were employed by
thee in subordinate positions as "mariners," thou madest
thine own skilled men alone to be commanders and pilots. Implying the
political and mercantile superiority of Tyre.

**9. Gebal**—a Phoelignician city
and region between Beirut and Tripolis, famed for skilled workmen
([1 Kings 5:18](../../../kjv/1-kings/5/18), *Margin;* [1 Kings 5:18](../../../kjv/1-kings/5/18)).
**calkers**—*stoppers of
chinks* in a vessel: carrying on the metaphor as to Tyre.
**occupy thy merchandise**—that
is, to exchange merchandise with thee.

**10. Persia . . . Phut**—warriors
from the extreme east and west.
**Lud**—the Lydians of Asia
Minor, near the Meander, famed for archery (); rather than those of Ethiopia, as the Lydians of Asia
Minor form a kind of intermediate step between Persia and Phut (the
Libyans about Cyrene, shielded warriors, , descended from Phut, son of Ham).
**hanged . . . shield . . .
comeliness**—Warriors hanged their accoutrements on the walls for
ornament. Divested of the metaphor, it means that it was an honor to
thee to have so many nations supplying thee with hired soldiers.

**11. Gammadims**—rather, as the
Tyrians were Syro-Phoelignicians, from a *Syriac* root, meaning
*daring,* "men of daring" [LUDOVICUS
DE DIEU].
It is not likely the keeping of watch "in the towers" would
have been entrusted to foreigners. Others take it from a *Hebrew*
root, "a dagger," or short sword (), "short-swordsmen."

**12. Tarshish**—Tartessus in
Spain, a country famed for various metals, which were exported to
Tyre. Much of the "tin" probably was conveyed by the
Phoelignicians from Cornwall to Tarshish.
**traded in thy fairs**—"did
barter with thee" [FAIRBAIRN];
from a root, "to leave," something *left* in barter
for something else.

**13. Javan**—the Ionians or
*Greeks:* for the *Ionians* of Asia Minor were the first
Greeks with whom the Asiatics came in contact.
**Tubal . . . Meshech**—the
Tibareni and Moschi, in the mountain region between the Black and
Caspian Seas.
**persons of men**—that is,
as slaves. So the Turkish harems are supplied with female slaves from
Circassia and Georgia.
**vessels**—all kinds of
*articles.* Superior weapons are still manufactured in the
Caucasus region.

**14. Togarmah**—Armenia:
descended from Gomer ([Genesis 10:3](../../../kjv/genesis/10/3)).
Their mountainous region south of the Caucasus was celebrated for
horses.
**horsemen**—rather,
"riding-horses," as distinct from "horses" for
chariots [FAIRBAIRN].

**15. Dedan**—near the Persian
Sea: thus an avenue to the commerce of India. Not the Dedan in Arabia
([Ezekiel 27:20](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/20)), as the names in
the context here prove, but the Dedan sprung from Cush [BOCHART],
([Genesis 10:7](../../../kjv/genesis/10/7)).
**merchandise of thine
hand**—that is, were dependent on thee for trade [FAIRBAIRN];
came to buy *the produce of thy hands* [GROTIUS].
**a present**—literally, "a
reward in return"; a price paid for merchandise.
**horns of ivory**—Ivory is
so termed from its resemblance to *horns.* The *Hebrew*
word for "ivory" means "tooth"; so that they
cannot have mistaken ivory as if *coming from the horns* of
certain animals, instead of from the tusks of the elephant.

**16.** "Syria was thy mart for
the multitude," c. For "Syria" the *Septuagint*
reads "Edom." But the Syrians were famed as merchants.
**occupied**—*old*
English for "traded" so in .
**agate**—Others translate,
"ruby," "chalcedony," or "pearls."

**17. Minnith . . . Pannag**—names
of places in Israel famed for good wheat, wherewith Tyre was supplied
([1 Kings 5:9](../../../kjv/1-kings/5/9); [1 Kings 5:11](../../../kjv/1-kings/5/11);
[Ezra 3:7](../../../kjv/ezra/3/7); [Acts 12:20](../../../kjv/acts/12/20));
Minnith was formerly an Ammonite city ([Acts 12:20](../../../kjv/acts/12/20)). "Pannag" is identified by GROTIUS
with "Phenice," the *Greek* name for "Canaan."
"They traded . . . wheat," that is, they supplied thy
market with wheat.
**balm**—or, "balsam."

**18. Helbon**—or Chalybon, in
Syria, now Aleppo; famed for its wines; the Persian monarchs would
drink no other.

**19. Dan also**—None of the other
places enumerated commence with the copula ("also"; *Hebrew,
ve*). Moreover, the products specified, "cassia, calamus,"
apply rather to places in Arabia. Therefore, FAIRBAIRN
translates, "Vedan"; perhaps the modern Aden, near the
straits of Bab-el-man-deb. GROTIUS
refers it to Dana, mentioned by PTOLEMY.
**Javan**—not the Greeks of
*Europe* or *Asia Minor,* but of a Greek settlement in
*Arabia.*
**going to and fro**—rather,
as *Hebrew* admits, "from *Uzal.*" This is added
to "Javan," to mark *which* Javan is meant (). The metropolis of Arabia Felix, or Yemen; called also
Sanaa [BOCHART]. *English
Version* gives a good sense, thus: All peoples, whether near as
the Israelite "Dan," or far as the Greeks or "Javan,"
who were wont to "go to and fro" from their love of
traffic, frequented thy marts, bringing bright iron, &c., these
products not being necessarily represented as those of Dan or Javan.
**bright iron**—Yemen is
still famed for its sword blades.
**calamus**—aromatic cane.

**20. Dedan**—in Arabia; distinct
from the Dedan in [Ezekiel 27:15](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/15)
(see on [Ezekiel 27:2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/2)). Descended
from Abraham and Keturah ([Genesis 25:3](../../../kjv/genesis/25/3))
[BOCHART].
**precious clothes**—splendid
coverlets.

**21. Arabia**—the nomadic tribes
of Arabia, among which Kedar was pre-eminent.
**occupied with thee**—literally,
"of thy hand," that is, they *traded* with thee for
wares, the product *of thy hand* (see on ).

**22. Sheba . . . Raamah**—in
Arabia.
**chief of . . . spices**—that
is, *best* spices ([Deuteronomy 33:15](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/33/15)).
Obtained from India and conveyed in caravans to Tyre.

**23. Haran**—the dwelling-place
of Abraham in Mesopotamia, after he moved from Ur ().
**Canneh**—Calneh, an
Assyrian city on the Tigris; the Ctesiphon of the Greeks ().
**Eden**—probably a region
in Babylonia (see [Genesis 2:8](../../../kjv/genesis/2/8)).
**Chilmad**—a compound; the
place designated by PTOLEMY
"Gaala of Media." The *Chaldee version* interprets it
of Media. HENDERSON refers
it to Carmanda, which XENOPHON
describes as a large city beyond the Euphrates.

**24. all sorts of things**—*Hebrew,*
"perfections"; exquisite articles of finery [GROTIUS].
**clothes**—rather,
"mantles" or "cloaks"; literally, "wrappings."
For "blue," HENDERSON
translates, "purple."
**chests of rich apparel, bound
with cords**—treasures or repositories of damask stuffs,
consisting of variegated threads woven together in figures
[HENDERSON].
**cedar**—The "chests"
were made of *cedar,* in order to last the longer; and it also
keeps off decay and has a sweet odor.

**25. sing of thee**—personification;
thy great merchant ships were palpable proofs of thy greatness.
Others translate from a different *Hebrew* root, "were thy
(mercantile) travellers." FAIRBAIRN
translates, "Were thy walls." But the parallelism to "thou
wast glorious" favors *English Version,* "sing of
thee."

**26.** In contrast to her previous
greatness, her downfall is here, by a sudden transition, depicted
under the image of a vessel foundering at sea.
**east wind**—blowing from
Lebanon, the most violent wind in the Mediterranean (). A Levanter, as it is called. Nebuchadnezzar is meant. The
"sea" is the war with him which the "rowers," or
rulers of the state vessel, had "brought" it into, to its
ruin.

**27.** The detailed enumeration
implies the *utter completeness* of the ruin.
**and in all thy company**—"even
with all thy collected multitude" [HENDERSON].

**28. The suburbs**—the buildings
of Tyre on the adjoining continent.

**29.** So on the downfall of
spiritual Babylon ([Revelation 18:17](../../../kjv/revelation/18/17),
&c.).
**shall stand upon . . .
land**—being cast out of their ships in which heretofore they
prided themselves.

**30. against thee**—rather,
"concerning thee."

**31. utterly bald**—literally,
"bald with baldness." The Phoelignician custom in mourning;
which, as being connected with heathenish superstitions, was
forbidden to Israel ([Deuteronomy 14:1](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/14/1)).

**32. take up**—lift up.
**the destroyed**—a
destroyed one. Literally, (as opposed to its previous bustle of
thronging merchants and mariners, ), "one brought to death's stillness."
**in . . . midst of . . .
sea**—insular Tyre.

**33. out of the seas**—brought on
shore *out of* the ships.
**filledst**—didst supply
plentifully with *wares.*
**enrich . . . kings**—with
the custom dues levied on the wares.

**34. In the time when . . . shall . .
. shall**—*Now* that thou *art* broken (wrecked) . . .
thy merchandise . . . are fallen [MAURER].

**35. isles**—seacoasts.

**36. hiss**—with astonishment; as
in [1 Kings 9:8](../../../kjv/1-kings/9/8).

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Ezekiel 27"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Ezekiel 27","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"CHAPTER 27   :-. TYRE'S FORMER\nGREATNESS, SUGGESTING\nA LAMENTATION OVER\nHER SAD\nDOWNFALL. 2. lamentation—a funeral\ndirge, eulogizing her great attributes,","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel","name":"Ezekiel"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/ezekiel/27","name":"27"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```