Ezekiel 27 28

Ezekiel 27:28 kjv

The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.

Ezekiel 27:28 nkjv

The common-land will shake at the sound of the cry of your pilots.

Ezekiel 27:28 niv

The shorelands will quake when your sailors cry out.

Ezekiel 27:28 esv

At the sound of the cry of your pilots the countryside shakes,

Ezekiel 27:28 nlt

Your cities by the sea tremble
as your pilots cry out in terror.

Ezekiel 27 28 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Ezekiel 26:18How you will be a terror, and never shall you be any more, though you be sought for, never, saith the Lord GOD.Judgment on Tyre's pride
Isaiah 23:1The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.Lament for Tyre
Revelation 18:17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in the ships, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar offDestruction of Babylon's trade
Jeremiah 51:31And that one post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at the one end,Babylon's fall prediction
Revelation 18:19And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were all that have ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her penuriousness!Reaction to Babylon's fall
Isaiah 14:12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!Satan's fall
Ezekiel 28:14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.Satan's original state
Ezekiel 28:2Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art but a man, and not God, though thou settest thine heart as the heart of God.Tyre's prince's pride
Psalm 46:2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;God's sovereign power
Proverbs 30:4Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters together, in a mantle? who hath set all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?God's creation
Jeremiah 50:23How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!Destruction of oppressor
Nahum 3:15Thy water shall come down, and thy fortress shall be made as the waters which descend. And the rivers shall be found where are the rivers and fountains shall fall.Nineveh's judgment
Amos 6:12Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:Israel's corruption
Psalm 104:25So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.Vastness of the sea
Acts 19:24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;Economic idolatry
Matthew 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?Value of the soul
1 Timothy 6:10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.Danger of covetousness
Psalm 2:4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.God's ultimate power
Luke 12:20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy life shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?Sudden destruction
Ezekiel 27:4Thy builders have perfected thy beauty.Tyre's self-admiration
Romans 9:21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?God's sovereignty

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 28 Meaning

This verse describes the overwhelming and destructive judgment upon Tyre, personified as a great ship sinking into the sea, unable to escape the catastrophe. The "merchandise and all thy wares" signifies her vast economic wealth and possessions. Her "offering and wares" were for the delight of seafaring merchants, highlighting her international trade and luxury. The word "ship" in the Hebrew can also refer to a ship of the sea or a seafaring vessel, emphasizing Tyre's maritime dominance and the utter devastation of her global commerce.

Ezekiel 27 28 Context

Ezekiel chapter 27 describes a prophetic lament over the city of Tyre. Tyre was a wealthy and powerful Phoenician city-state known for its extensive maritime trade and its influence across the ancient world. The prophecy, delivered through Ezekiel the prophet to the Israelites in exile, pronounces a severe judgment on Tyre for its arrogance, exploitation, and idolatry. This chapter paints a vivid picture of Tyre's former glory and impending doom, using the metaphor of a magnificent ship sinking into the sea. The verse in question highlights the total loss of all its accumulated wealth and commercial enterprises. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged Tyre for thirteen years without success, but later Alexander the Great conquered Tyre by building a causeway to the island city, fulfilling aspects of the prophecy of its destruction and casting it into the sea.

Ezekiel 27 28 Word Analysis

  • Then shall all the inhabitants of thy isles shall cry out at the sight of thine overthrow.

    • Then: Indicates immediate consequence following the judgment.
    • all the inhabitants of thy isles: Refers to all the people living in the dependent territories and trading posts of Tyre, spread across various islands and coastal regions.
    • shall cry out: A loud lamentation, expressing shock, grief, and terror. This is a common response to sudden disaster.
    • at the sight of: They will witness or become aware of its destruction.
    • thine overthrow: Your downfall, destruction, or ruin.
  • And the isles shall tremble at the multitude of thy wares.

    • And the isles: Reinforces the wide-reaching impact of Tyre's fall on its economic partners and dependencies.
    • shall tremble: A physical manifestation of fear and distress, showing the deep impact of Tyre's collapse on the international economy.
    • at the multitude of thy wares: The vast quantity and variety of goods that Tyre traded, representing its immense commercial power and the scale of its economic network. This emphasizes that the prosperity derived from these "wares" is now gone, causing widespread economic disruption.
  • Thy merchandise and all thy wares; thy merchandises.

    • Thy merchandise and all thy wares: This is a rhetorical repetition and elaboration to emphasize the completeness of the loss. It encompasses everything Tyre possessed and traded. "Merchandise" can refer to goods bought and sold, while "wares" refers to articles for sale, especially those on ships.
    • thy merchandises: Repetition for emphasis on the extensive nature of its trade goods.
  • Were in thy merchandise for thy sustenance.

    • Were in thy merchandise: Indicates that these goods were part of Tyre's commercial stock and livelihood.
    • for thy sustenance: This phrase highlights that Tyre's wealth and existence were directly tied to its trade; it was not merely for luxury but essential for its survival and prosperity. The word "sustenance" can imply provision or even being maintained.
  • The men of thy maritime countries.

    • The men: The people, individuals.
    • of thy maritime countries: Specifically refers to those in allied or conquered lands whose economy was connected to Tyre through the sea. This could include sailors, traders, merchants, and even those who manufactured goods for export from these regions.
  • Shall make a lamentation over thee.

    • Shall make a lamentation: They will join in the mourning for Tyre.
    • over thee: Directed towards Tyre's demise.
  • And shall bring thee to confusion with the multitude of thy merchandises.

    • And shall bring thee to confusion: This is the outcome for Tyre. The confusion implies bewilderment, shame, and a state of utter disarray caused by the destruction of its wealth and trade.
    • with the multitude of thy merchandises: Ironically, the very things that brought Tyre its glory and strength – its vast array of goods and trade – become the reason for its ultimate confusion and ruin in the prophetic depiction of its end. It points to the futility of trusting in material wealth.
  • And the king of Tarshish shall cry out.

    • And the king of Tarshish: Tarshish was a prominent trading port, possibly in modern Spain, known for its extensive maritime trade. Its king represented a significant economic entity affected by Tyre's fall.
    • shall cry out: A cry of anguish or shock.

Ezekiel 27 28 Bonus Section

The imagery of Tyre, a majestic ship, sinking serves as a powerful metaphor for the ephemeral nature of worldly power and wealth when they are not grounded in God. It reflects a common prophetic theme where proud and idolatrous nations are judged, and their downfall serves as a warning to others. The comprehensive nature of the lament, affecting various peoples and economic partners, emphasizes the interconnectedness of the world and the consequences of one nation's moral and spiritual failings. The mention of "wares" and "merchandise" for "sustenance" speaks to the entire system of commerce and the lifeblood of the city, which will be utterly destroyed. This foreshadows the judgment on great trading cities or systems that rely on exploitation and self-exaltation, as seen in the New Testament's depiction of Babylon's fall.

Ezekiel 27 28 Commentary

This verse vividly portrays the far-reaching economic devastation that will result from Tyre's judgment. The "isles" and the "king of Tarshish" represent the international community that profited from or was connected to Tyre's vast trade. Their trembling and crying out signify the global economic shockwave that Tyre's downfall will cause. The repeated emphasis on "merchandise" and "wares" underscores the materialistic basis of Tyre's pride and security, which ultimately fails to protect it from divine judgment. The wealth that sustained Tyre and was a source of pride ultimately becomes a reason for its shame and confusion, highlighting the biblical principle that true security is not found in material possessions or global commerce but in faithfulness to God. The abundance that once sustained them becomes a cause for their utter downfall and public shame.