Ezekiel 27 1

Ezekiel 27:1 kjv

The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 27:1 nkjv

The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,

Ezekiel 27:1 niv

The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 27:1 esv

The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 27:1 nlt

Then this message came to me from the LORD:

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 1 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:1 serves as a common prophetic formula, signaling the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message that follows. It signifies that the prophet Ezekiel is not speaking his own thoughts, but conveying the very words of Yahweh, thus lending ultimate authority to the impending lament over Tyre detailed in the subsequent verses. This introduction establishes God as the prime initiator of revelation and Ezekiel as His chosen messenger.

Ezekiel 27 1 Context

Ezekiel 27:1 initiates a highly poetic lamentation over the wealthy and proud city of Tyre. This chapter immediately follows the explicit judgment pronounced against Tyre in chapter 26, where its ultimate destruction by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army is foretold. Chapter 27, by detailing Tyre's vast commercial empire, extensive maritime trade, and the elaborate network of nations it interacted with, amplifies the significance and tragedy of its prophesied downfall. The prophet Ezekiel received these revelations during his exile in Babylon, making the downfall of such a formidable regional power a profound statement on divine sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel. The historical backdrop involves Nebuchadnezzar's lengthy siege of Tyre (c. 586-573 BC), a known event during Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry. The chapter uses the vivid imagery of a magnificent ship, Tyre itself, that is built, filled with riches, and then tragically wrecked at sea, illustrating its complete and utter collapse.

Ezekiel 27 1 Word analysis

• The word (Hebrew: הַדָּבָר, ha-davar): Signifies a specific message, utterance, or divine decree. It carries authority and often implies an action-oriented communication. In biblical theology, the "word of the LORD" is active and potent, revealing God's character and accomplishing His purposes (cf. Isa 55:10-11). It is not mere speech but a divinely authoritative statement.
• of the LORD (Hebrew: יְהוָה, Yahweh): Identifies the source as the personal, covenant God of Israel. Using this name emphasizes the reliability, faithfulness, and ultimate authority of the speaker. It indicates that the following message proceeds from the God who rules over all creation and history, binding it to His covenant character.
• came (Hebrew: וַיְהִי, va-y'hi): This standard Hebrew idiom translates as "and it was" or "and it came to pass." It conveys the sudden, direct, and active arrival of the divine message to the prophet, highlighting the divine initiative in revelation rather than human seeking.
• unto me (Hebrew: אֵלַי, elay): Clearly designates Ezekiel as the sole recipient of this particular revelation. While some English translations insert "again" to reflect the repeated nature of such divine communications to Ezekiel, the Hebrew word itself strictly means "to me" or "upon me," underscoring Ezekiel's specific and direct engagement with God's message.
• saying, (Hebrew: לֵאמֹר, le'mor): An infinitive construction common in biblical Hebrew, indicating that what follows is the direct content or exact words of the preceding "word of the LORD." It sets the stage for a verbatim divine pronouncement.

• "The word of the LORD": This phrase emphasizes the divine origin and infallible nature of the prophecy. It asserts that the upcoming message is neither Ezekiel's human opinion nor speculation but a direct communication from the Sovereign God. It underscores the ultimate truth and authority behind the words.
• "came unto me, saying,": This common prophetic formula underscores Ezekiel's role as a mediator of God's revelation. It signifies that he is divinely chosen and commissioned to receive and convey a message that is entirely God's own, not of human invention. This confirms his prophetic authority and validates the ensuing message.

Ezekiel 27 1 Bonus section

This introductory formula ("The word of the LORD came unto me, saying") is crucial for understanding the nature of biblical prophecy. It repeatedly reinforces that prophecy is a testament to God's self-revelation, His proactive choice to communicate with humanity. Such phrases are foundational for claims of biblical inspiration, asserting that the ensuing text is divine in origin, not merely human literature or reflection. The consistent use of this phrase across various prophets like Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Amos establishes a clear pattern of divine communication throughout Israel's history. This continuity ensures the unity and divine coherence of the biblical message, highlighting God's faithfulness to reveal His will and plans to His people.

Ezekiel 27 1 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:1 functions as the authoritative header for one of the most vivid and extensive prophecies against a foreign nation in the Old Testament, specifically a lament over the maritime powerhouse of Tyre. By commencing with "The word of the LORD came unto me, saying," the verse immediately anchors the entire subsequent chapter in divine revelation, affirming that the detailed description of Tyre's immense wealth, global trade, and inevitable catastrophic fall is directly from God. It highlights God's sovereignty not just over His covenant people, but over all nations and their economies, demonstrating that even the most formidable human achievements and material success are subject to His divine judgment. The formula emphasizes that prophetic pronouncements are not human conjectures but God's unalterable will conveyed through His chosen mouthpiece.