Ezekiel 27 2

Ezekiel 27:2 kjv

Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;

Ezekiel 27:2 nkjv

"Now, son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre,

Ezekiel 27:2 niv

"Son of man, take up a lament concerning Tyre.

Ezekiel 27:2 esv

"Now you, son of man, raise a lamentation over Tyre,

Ezekiel 27:2 nlt

"Son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre,

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 2 Meaning

The Lord God commands the prophet Ezekiel, designated as "son of man," to prepare and utter a dirge or funeral lament over the maritime city of Tyre. This instruction marks the beginning of a detailed prophetic judgment against Tyre, foretelling its inevitable downfall despite its immense wealth and commercial power. It signifies that Tyre's fate is sealed, prompting a mournful eulogy even before its destruction.

Ezekiel 27 2 Context

Ezekiel 27:2 is situated within a series of divine judgments delivered by God through Ezekiel against surrounding Gentile nations, specifically Chapters 25-32. Chapters 26-28 focus solely on Tyre, a powerful Phoenician city-state known for its unparalleled maritime trade, immense wealth, and great pride. Chapter 26 outlines the reasons and methods of Tyre's destruction. Chapter 27:1 introduces the call for a formal lament. The subsequent verses (27:3-36) present this lament in vivid, metaphorical detail, portraying Tyre as a magnificent, perfectly crafted ship that traverses the known world, laden with the finest goods and staffed by skilled peoples from many nations. This intricate description highlights Tyre's commercial grandeur and global interconnectedness, setting up the tragic climax of its inevitable sinking and the global mourning that will follow its collapse, all illustrating God's sovereignty over the mightiest human empires and their commercial success.

Ezekiel 27 2 Word analysis

• Now you: (we’attah, וְאַתָּה) – This conjunctive phrase emphasizes a direct, immediate, and personal address from God to Ezekiel, underlining the divine origin and authoritative nature of the impending message. It sets a solemn tone for the prophet's charge.

• son of man: (ben-adam, בֶן־אָדָם) – A frequent address (over 90 times) for Ezekiel throughout the book. It serves to emphasize Ezekiel’s humanity, mortality, and dependence on God, contrasting sharply with the divine speaker. It grounds him as a mere mortal receiver of a weighty divine message. This designation foreshadows its New Testament usage by Jesus to emphasize both his humanity and messianic identity.

• take up: (nasa', נָשָׂא) – Literally "to lift up" or "to carry." In this context, it signifies "to utter," "to pronounce," or "to recite." It suggests bearing a weighty message, not merely speaking but solemnly presenting a significant declaration, similar to bearing a burden.

• a lament: (qinah, קִינָה) – A specific Hebrew poetic genre, a dirge or funeral song. These laments traditionally mourned the dead and their irreversible loss, characterized by a distinct rhythm (often a 3-2 beat). Its prescribed use here signals that Tyre's fate is sealed, effectively treating the city as already dead or destined for certain demise. It conveys grief, despair, and public recognition of an ending.

• concerning Tyre: (al-Tzor, עַל־צֹר) – This directly names the object of the lament, specifying the renowned Phoenician city-state. Tyre (Tzor) means "rock," aptly describing its geographically fortified location. This declaration targets its identity as a powerful, supposedly impregnable city, linking its literal meaning to its ultimate downfall.

• Now you, son of man: This phrase highlights the divine choice and commission of Ezekiel as God’s messenger. It reinforces that the message is not of human origin, but delivered through a human agent, stressing both divine authority and human instrumentality.

• take up a lament: This isn't an instruction for personal grief but a formal command to publicly declare Tyre's demise using the structured poetic form of a funeral elegy. It implies a divinely mandated public announcement of death, indicating God's predetermined judgment against the city.

• a lament concerning Tyre: The specific pairing of this mournful genre with Tyre signifies that despite Tyre's perceived invincibility, its fate is as certain as death. It sets the stage for a detailed accounting of Tyre's splendor and its dramatic collapse.

Ezekiel 27 2 Bonus section

• The "qinah" (lament) structure used in Ezekiel 27, like in many biblical laments, serves as a rhetorical device to emphasize the finality and solemnity of the judgment. It's not just a sad song; it's a profound statement that for Tyre, the end has come.
• The prophetic "lament" or "taunt" often includes detailed descriptions of the subject's greatness before its fall, making the eventual destruction all the more poignant. This dramatic contrast heightens the impact of God's judgment.
• Historically, Tyre faced two major destructions: the mainland city by Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) over a 13-year siege (as foretold in Ezek 26), and the island city by Alexander the Great around 332 BC. The comprehensiveness of the prophecy's fulfillment highlights its divine origin.
• The constant address "son of man" throughout Ezekiel might also be a subtle link to a broader understanding of humanity's fallen state, requiring God's intervention, setting up future understanding of the truly righteous "Son of Man" in Christ who redeems fallen humanity.

Ezekiel 27 2 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:2 is the pivotal opening of a profound prophetic elegy. It establishes that the grand, wealthy, and seemingly impregnable city of Tyre, a symbol of human commercial prowess and pride, is slated for destruction, to be mourned with a dirge traditionally reserved for the deceased. God's command to "take up a lament" transcends a simple prediction; it's a divine declaration of Tyre's ultimate demise. This foreshadows that even the most formidable human endeavors and opulent civilizations are subject to God's sovereign judgment when pride and iniquity prevail. The following verses detail Tyre's splendor only to amplify the tragedy of its fall, showcasing that ultimate power belongs to God, not to any city or earthly ruler.