Ezekiel 27 10

Ezekiel 27:10 kjv

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 27:10 nkjv

"Those from Persia, Lydia, and Libya Were in your army as men of war; They hung shield and helmet in you; They gave splendor to you.

Ezekiel 27:10 niv

"?'Men of Persia, Lydia and Put served as soldiers in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls, bringing you splendor.

Ezekiel 27:10 esv

"Persia and Lud and Put were in your army as your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you; they gave you splendor.

Ezekiel 27:10 nlt

"Men from distant Persia, Lydia, and Libya served in your great army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls, giving you great honor.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 10 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:10 describes a facet of the immense wealth and military might of the ancient city of Tyre. It details how the renowned warrior peoples of Persia, Lud (often identified with Lydia or a North African group), and Put (Libya) served in Tyre's mercenary army. These formidable fighters proudly displayed their shields and helmets within Tyre's midst, and this grand show of military strength from diverse nations was presented as a significant part of Tyre's splendor and majestic reputation. The verse highlights Tyre's international reach and its reliance on foreign power for security, which paradoxically foreshadows its ultimate vulnerability and fall.

Ezekiel 27 10 Context

Ezekiel chapter 27 is a powerful lament or funeral dirge (qina) for Tyre, a highly influential and wealthy maritime city. The entire chapter personifies Tyre as a magnificent merchant ship, crafted from the finest materials and manned by the most skilled sailors and warriors from various nations. This verse, Ezekiel 27:10, fits into the description of the ship's opulent crew and impressive military adornments. After describing its impressive structure, mast, sails, and sailors from Sidon, Arvad, and Gebal, the prophet turns to the mercenary soldiers who bolstered Tyre's formidable reputation. The prophecy aims to highlight the extent of Tyre's human-made glory and self-sufficiency, only to utterly shatter it with the pronouncement of its divinely decreed downfall. Historically, Tyre was a dominant Phoenician city-state, known for its extensive trade networks throughout the Mediterranean and its heavily fortified island location. Its prosperity made it a center of international commerce and power, leading to immense pride among its inhabitants.

Ezekiel 27 10 Word analysis

• Persia (פָּרַס - Paras): A significant ancient kingdom, often associated with a strong military and formidable power. At the time of this prophecy, the Medo-Persian empire was on the rise, eventually becoming one of the largest empires. Its inclusion indicates the global reach of Tyre's influence and its ability to recruit even distant and potent forces.
• Lud (לוּד - Lud): While often linked to Lydia in Asia Minor (a wealthy kingdom famous for its gold and coined money, also known for mercenary soldiers), scholarly consensus also identifies Lud as an African people, specifically the Lubim or Lydians (associated with Egypt or North Africa). In prophetic texts, Lud frequently appears alongside Put, Cush, and Egypt, serving as archers or warriors for hire, underscoring their military renown and availability as mercenaries.
• Put (פּוּט - Puṭ): Consistently identified with ancient Libya, a region in North Africa. Like Lud, Put was well-known for its skilled warriors and frequently served as mercenary forces for major powers like Egypt. Its mention here signifies Tyre's access to mercenary forces from across a broad geographical and cultural spectrum, emphasizing the global nature of Tyre's influence.
• were in your army (הָי֤וּ בְחֵילֵךְ֙ – hayu becheilech): Cheil (חַיִל) here refers to a host or army. It signifies their active enlistment and service within Tyre's military structure, not merely as allies but as integral, paid components of its fighting force. This underscores Tyre's immense resources and its ability to afford and attract such diverse and formidable mercenary groups.
• your men of war (אַנְשֵׁ֣י מִלְחַמְתֵּ֔ךְ – anshei milchamtech): Directly translated as "men of your battle," this phrase specifically labels them as professional soldiers in Tyre's employ, ready for combat. It further emphasizes their role as instruments of Tyre's power projection and defense.
• shield and helmet (מָגֵ֤ן וְק֥וֹבַע – magen v'kova): Standard protective battle equipment of a warrior. The shield provided defense, and the helmet protected the head. Their presence denotes military readiness and professionalism.
• hung... in your midst (תִּלּוּ־בָ֖ךְ – tillu-vach): The verb "hung" or "suspended" suggests a display. This could imply a ceremonial parade, armories filled with the weaponry of their diverse mercenaries, or even shields and helmets hung on the city walls as a deterrent or show of force. This public display communicated Tyre's strength to all who observed it.
• they displayed your splendor (הֵ֣מָּה הָדָרָֽךְ׃ – hemma hadarach): The word hadar (הָדָר) means "splendor," "majesty," "glory," "honor," or "beauty." Here, it points to the outward impressiveness and magnificence that Tyre derived from these foreign military contingents and their impressive weaponry. It was a tangible manifestation of Tyre's reputation and formidable nature, a source of pride that would soon be humbled.

Ezekiel 27 10 Bonus section

The consistent grouping of Lud and Put in Ezekiel and Jeremiah (e.g., Jer 46:9, Ezek 30:5) often points to them as traditional suppliers of mercenary warriors, particularly archers, who were a common feature in many Near Eastern armies. This reinforces Tyre's image as a city that leveraged its wealth to acquire the best fighting power from across the known world, indicating a very practical and shrewd, though ultimately misguided, approach to national security. This reliance on hired strength contrasts sharply with the biblical ideal of divine protection, a theological counter-point subtly embedded in this descriptive verse about Tyre's glory.

Ezekiel 27 10 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:10 functions as a crucial piece in the prophetic tapestry detailing Tyre's fall. It is not merely an ethnographic list but a theological statement about the nature of worldly power and glory. By highlighting Tyre's dependence on renowned foreign mercenaries from as far as Persia and North Africa, the prophet underscores the vast extent of Tyre's commercial and military influence. The image of shields and helmets "hung" (or "displayed") signifies not just their physical presence but the visual declaration of Tyre's impregnable status, an outward show designed to project invincibility and splendor. However, this grandeur is entirely man-made and rooted in human strength, wealth, and alliances—a source of great pride for Tyre. In God's eyes, this self-exaltation based on human resources, rather than divine blessing, directly precipitates its judgment. The very source of Tyre's "splendor" (its human power) ultimately makes its downfall more profound, as its glory fades not due to an inability to muster forces but because God himself declares its end, rendering all its foreign might useless. The passage serves as a timeless caution against placing ultimate trust in material wealth and military strength instead of in the Lord.