Ezekiel 27:3 kjv
And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.
Ezekiel 27:3 nkjv
and say to Tyre, 'You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD: "O Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty.'
Ezekiel 27:3 niv
Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway to the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "?'You say, Tyre, "I am perfect in beauty."
Ezekiel 27:3 esv
and say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrances to the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD: "O Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty.'
Ezekiel 27:3 nlt
that mighty gateway to the sea, the trading center of the world. Give Tyre this message from the Sovereign LORD: "You boasted, O Tyre,
'My beauty is perfect!'
Ezekiel 27 3 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Ezekiel 26 | Judgment on Tyre | Prophecy of Tyre's destruction |
Isaiah 23 | Lamentation over Tyre | Tyre's pride and downfall |
Jeremiah 25 | Judgment on Nations | Judgment on proud nations |
Revelation 18 | Fall of Babylon | Similar judgment imagery |
Psalm 75:7 | God's sovereignty in judgment | God raises and lowers nations |
Proverbs 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction | Principle of pride and downfall |
Luke 1:52 | God casts down the mighty | God's power over the proud |
Matthew 11:23 | Judgment on cities rejecting Christ | Similar judgment on cities |
Mark 14:3-9 | Perfume anointing and betrayal | Treasure and divine regard |
Acts 12:21-23 | Herod's pride and death | Divine retribution for pride |
Daniel 4:30 | Nebuchadnezzar's pride and humbling | God's sovereignty over rulers |
Jeremiah 50 | Judgment on Babylon | Destruction of a powerful city |
Amos 6:1 | Woe to those at ease in Zion | Judgment on complacency |
Amos 2:6-7 | Judgment on nations selling righteous | Exploitation and judgment |
Obadiah 1:3 | Pride and deception in high places | Divine downfall for pride |
Nahum 3:1-7 | Destruction of Nineveh | Judgment on a powerful empire |
Zechariah 11:1-3 | Lament over the pride of Lebanon | Judgment on forested areas |
Psalm 52:7 | Judgment on the boastful and wicked | Wickedness brings downfall |
Psalm 104:26 | Ships in the sea | Setting for commercial imagery |
Song of Solomon 4:11 | Beloved's lips like honey | Beautification imagery |
Ezekiel 27 verses
Ezekiel 27 3 Meaning
This verse declares that the famed city of Tyre, a commercial superpower of its time, is destined for utter destruction. It presents Tyre as a beautiful ship, laden with riches and sailing towards a disastrous end. This prophesy underscores God's judgment against nations that exalt themselves and exploit others.
Ezekiel 27 3 Context
Ezekiel chapter 27 is a powerful oracle of judgment against the magnificent city of Tyre. Tyre was a renowned Phoenician port city, a hub of global trade and a center of immense wealth and influence. Its maritime prowess and sophisticated commercial networks made it a formidable power in the ancient world. The chapter employs vivid imagery to describe Tyre's splendor and extensive trade relationships, setting the stage for a dramatic prophecy of its complete ruin. The surrounding chapters also detail God's judgments against other nations and against Egypt, establishing a pattern of divine reckoning for those who defy God and oppress His people.
Ezekiel 27 3 Word Analysis
- "Tyre" (tzor): Refers to the famous Phoenician island city.
- "merchant of the peoples" (shoke'ath ha'ammim): Highlights Tyre's widespread commercial influence, dealing with numerous nations.
- "on great waters" (el mayim rabbim): Signifies its coastal location and maritime dominance, where its vast trading ships sailed.
- "daughter" (bath): A common Hebrew literary device to represent a dependent or associated entity, implying subservience or a familial connection in relation to Tyre's people.
- "Your building" (banayikh): Refers to its impressive fortifications and architecture.
- "beauty" (yofikh): Points to its aesthetic appeal and magnificence.
- "made you perfect" (gimrūkh): Implies completeness or refinement, perhaps in construction and beauty.
- "merchant of the peoples" (sokharath haggoyim): Reinforces its role as a global trader.
- "you said" (amar't): Attributes proud self-declaration to Tyre.
- "I am perfect in beauty" (el-bifnim be-yofi): Expresses ultimate pride and self-sufficiency, a denial of dependence.
- "sail" (anot): Describes the movement of ships.
- "heart" (levav): Represents the inner core and will of the city's spirit.
- "your seas" (yamsayikh): Refers to its dominion over maritime trade routes.
Words Group Analysis:
- "daughter of Tyre": Portrays Tyre as a capital city with dependent or related trading settlements.
- "built your fortifications": Emphasizes the solid and grand nature of the city's defenses.
- "perfect in beauty": Underscores Tyre's ultimate aesthetic and possibly moral or spiritual corruption arising from its success.
- "merchant of the peoples": Illustrates its vast commercial network and the dependence of many nations on its trade.
- "perfect in beauty" / "perfect in beauty": The repetition stresses Tyre's inflated sense of self, believing itself to be flawless and supreme.
Ezekiel 27 3 Bonus Section
The description of Tyre as a beautifully built ship, "perfect in beauty," evokes ancient shipbuilding and maritime trade. Tyre's strategic island location and its sophisticated shipbuilding capabilities allowed it to dominate the Mediterranean trade. Its people were known for their advanced navigational skills, and its cities, especially its main island stronghold, were marvels of engineering and luxury. The chapter detailed various nations and regions that traded with Tyre, highlighting its vast reach from Europe to Africa. This portrays the depth of its influence and the interconnectedness of the ancient world through trade. The ultimate judgment on Tyre was a forewarning of the fate of civilizations that prioritize wealth and self-exaltation over righteousness and submission to the Most High.
Ezekiel 27 3 Commentary
Ezekiel 27 vividly paints a picture of Tyre as a luxurious vessel, the epitome of commercial success and beauty. Its pride, however, was so profound that it declared itself perfect and unassailable, believing its location on the seas made it invincible. This hubris is a key element in God's judgment. Tyre's trade was extensive, involving skilled artisans, diverse goods, and numerous nations. Yet, this very success fostered arrogance and a deep reliance on its own might, eclipsing its dependence on God. The prophecy foreshadows a violent end, where its beauty and strength will be turned to ruin, serving as a stark warning against self-sufficiency and excessive pride in material prosperity.