Ezekiel 27 11

Ezekiel 27:11 kjv

The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.

Ezekiel 27:11 nkjv

Men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, And the men of Gammad were in your towers; They hung their shields on your walls all around; They made your beauty perfect.

Ezekiel 27:11 niv

Men of Arvad and Helek guarded your walls on every side; men of Gammad were in your towers. They hung their shields around your walls; they brought your beauty to perfection.

Ezekiel 27:11 esv

Men of Arvad and Helech were on your walls all around, and men of Gamad were in your towers. They hung their shields on your walls all around; they made perfect your beauty.

Ezekiel 27:11 nlt

Men from Arvad and Helech stood on your walls. Your towers were manned by men from Gammad. Their shields hung on your walls, completing your beauty.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 11 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:11 describes the extensive military strength and splendor of Tyre, portraying its defensive infrastructure manned by foreign mercenaries and allies. It highlights that the men from Arvad, Helech, and Gammad guarded Tyre’s walls and towers, displaying their shields as a symbol of their formidable defense. This collective military might contributed significantly to Tyre's outward "beauty" or magnificence, showcasing its perceived impregnability and power to the world. However, this outward show of strength ultimately proved to be an illusion in the face of God's coming judgment.

Ezekiel 27 11 Context

Ezekiel chapter 27 is a powerful dirge, or lament, prophesying the total destruction of Tyre. It details Tyre as a magnificent ship, painstakingly constructed from the finest materials gathered from various nations, crewed by skilled men from all corners of the known world, and adorned with exquisite furnishings. This verse, Ezekiel 27:11, describes Tyre’s defensive forces as an integral part of this "ship’s" splendor, likening its walls and towers to a protective structure, guarded by mercenaries. The entire chapter serves as an extended metaphor for Tyre's vast commercial empire, its pride, and its eventual catastrophic downfall, emphasizing that its apparent strength and global network cannot save it from God's judgment. Historically, Tyre was a wealthy Phoenician port city, renowned for its maritime trade and powerful fortifications, often relying on foreign auxiliary troops. This lament reflects a polemic against Tyre’s self-reliance and the human glorification of wealth and power, asserting God’s ultimate sovereignty over all nations, even those seemingly impregnable.

Ezekiel 27 11 Word analysis

• The men of Arvad: The Hebrew for "Arvad" is אַרְוַד֙ (`’Arvaḏ`). Arvad was a prominent Phoenician city-state located on an island north of Tyre, known for its seafaring and military capabilities. Mentioning its "men" suggests that Tyrian defenses were not solely Tyrian but included highly skilled and formidable foreign auxiliaries. This reliance on mercenaries underscores Tyre's vast economic influence which allowed it to hire such forces.
• and Helech: The Hebrew is וְחֵ֣ילֵךְ (`vəḥêlêḵ`). This term is subject to scholarly debate. While some versions render it as "your army" (related to `ḥayil`, meaning 'army' or 'valor'), the most common understanding in recent scholarship treats it as another geographical designation, likely referring to men from the region of Cilicia (ancient Kue) or a related territory, perhaps known as Hilikki. Its placement alongside "Arvad" and "Gammad" makes a specific foreign contingent more plausible, further demonstrating the multinational nature of Tyre's defensive forces.
• were on your walls all around: This phrase emphasizes the complete and robust nature of Tyre's fortifications, indicating a strong defense. The fact that foreigners manned these critical positions highlights Tyre's strategy of outsourcing military protection. "Walls" (חוֹמוֹתַ֣יִךְ - `ḥôwmōthayik`) signify defense and security, but here they are dependent on external powers.
• and men of Gammad: The Hebrew is וְגַמָּדִ֖ים (`vəGammādîm`). This term is also challenging, often thought to refer to specific skilled warriors or a distinct mercenary group from a yet-unidentified region, possibly northern Syria or Anatolia. Some suggestions link it to Akkadian words for 'fighters' or to a people known for short, powerful combat, or even to Cilician communities. Regardless of exact origin, their inclusion points to the specialized nature of Tyre’s hired soldiers.
• were in your towers: "Towers" (מִגְדְּלוֹתַ֥יִךְ - `miḡdělôthayik`) are critical defensive structures, providing vantage points and protected positions for archers or other fighters. Manned by these skilled foreign troops, they symbolize a heightened state of military preparedness and a sense of impenetrable security.
• they hung their shields on your walls all around: This action, literally "they put up/suspended their shields" (שִׁלְטֵיהֶ֕ם תִּלּ֥וּ עַל־חוֹמֹתַ֖יִךְ - `shiltêhem tillu ‘al-ḥōwmōthayik`), signifies both an impressive display of military readiness and an outward show of power. Decorated shields could act as symbols of strength and deterrence, publicly showcasing the number and readiness of the defenders. It's a boast of power designed to instill fear in enemies and confidence in allies.
• they perfected your beauty: The Hebrew for "beauty" is יׇפְיֵֽךְ (`yōf̄yêḵ`), referring to splendor or magnificence. "Perfected" (כָּלְל֖וּ - `kālalû`) means to complete or bring to its zenith. This phrase is laden with irony. The formidable military presence, comprising these foreign forces and their show of strength, constituted a significant part of Tyre’s outward "beauty" or prestige. This was not merely aesthetic beauty but an awe-inspiring grandeur of military might, which ultimately would not protect Tyre from its divine judgment, making its perfection superficial and doomed.

Ezekiel 27 11 Bonus section

This lament over Tyre uses extensive personification, portraying the city as a grand vessel, not only detailing its construction but also its entire crew, including the specialized military components. The inclusion of precise foreign geographical names for its defenders underscores the real-world complexity and reach of Tyre's influence, but simultaneously highlights that its "beauty" was derived from disparate external sources, not inherent, divinely bestowed strength. The repeated "all around" emphasizes the total envelopment of defense, creating an image of complete invulnerability which serves to heighten the tragic impact of its prophesied downfall.

Ezekiel 27 11 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:11 paints a vivid picture of Tyre's outward magnificence and security, demonstrating how its military prowess, primarily bolstered by a diverse array of foreign mercenaries from Arvad, Helech, and Gammad, contributed to its perceived "beauty." These skilled warriors manned the city’s strong walls and towers, displaying their shields as a formidable show of strength. This verse underscores Tyre's dependence on human alliances and its trust in its elaborate defenses and mercenary forces for security and prestige. Ironically, what was intended to "perfect its beauty" and guarantee its safety – this impressive, human-made display of military might – would ultimately prove powerless against the divine judgment announced in the wider lament. Tyre's "beauty" was a fragile, human-centric splendor, devoid of genuine spiritual foundation, and therefore, unsustainable. It serves as a stark reminder that reliance on worldly power, even at its zenith, is ephemeral compared to the sovereign power of God.