Ezekiel 27 30

Ezekiel 27:30 kjv

And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:

Ezekiel 27:30 nkjv

They will make their voice heard because of you; They will cry bitterly and cast dust on their heads; They will roll about in ashes;

Ezekiel 27:30 niv

They will raise their voice and cry bitterly over you; they will sprinkle dust on their heads and roll in ashes.

Ezekiel 27:30 esv

and shout aloud over you and cry out bitterly. They cast dust on their heads and wallow in ashes;

Ezekiel 27:30 nlt

They cry aloud over you
and weep bitterly.
They throw dust on their heads
and roll in ashes.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 30 Meaning

This verse describes the profound and visible lamentation of those who observe the fall of Tyre, portraying an intense display of public grief, sorrow, and humiliation. It highlights a widespread, agonized cry accompanied by symbolic actions of despair and deep mourning: casting dust on their heads and wallowing in ashes. These actions underscore the catastrophic nature of Tyre's destruction and the shock it sends through the nations, signaling the end of her immense wealth and glory.

Ezekiel 27 30 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's detailed prophetic lament (a dirge) over Tyre, presented in chapter 27. Ezekiel pictures Tyre as a magnificent, opulent merchant ship, adorned with treasures and powered by skillful mariners from many nations, illustrating her unparalleled wealth and global trade network. The preceding verses vividly describe her construction, crew, and vast array of trading partners. The immediate context, verses 26-36, depicts the cataclysmic storm that sinks this glorious "ship," symbolizing Tyre's utter destruction. The "their voice" and "they" in verse 30 refer to the "kings of the sea," "all who handle the oar," "mariners," and "all the skilled seamen" from Tyre's former trading partners, as well as the "islands' inhabitants" (Ezek 27:35-36). They mourn not just out of sympathy, but also from the economic shock and fear, realizing that if such a mighty power like Tyre can fall, none are secure. Historically, Tyre was a dominant Phoenician city-state known for its naval power, extensive commerce, and fortified island city, making it seem impregnable. This prophecy serves as a polemic against the pride and self-sufficiency born from worldly prosperity, affirming God's sovereignty over all nations and His impending judgment on the seemingly invincible.

Ezekiel 27 30 Word analysis

• And shall cause their voice to be heard over thee,
  • voice: (Hebrew: qōl, קוֹל) Refers to a sound or noise, specifically a loud utterance. Here, it denotes a raised cry, shout, or lamentation. It implies a public and audible expression of profound grief.
  • to be heard over thee: Directs the loud lament specifically towards Tyre, indicating a public display of her downfall and the universal witness to it. The focus is on the object of their sorrow and the place where her destruction occurred.
• and shall cry bitterly,
  • cry: (Hebrew: tsaʿaq, צָעַק) Means to cry out, wail, or scream, often in distress or anguish. It is a forceful, unreserved expression of pain.
  • bitterly: (Hebrew: mar, מָר) Denotes intense bitterness, severe pain, sorrow, or grief. It magnifies the emotional agony of the lament, implying an internal experience matching the external wailing.
• and shall cast up dust upon their heads,
  • cast up: (Hebrew: ʿālāh, עָלָה, used causatively heʿēlāh) To cause to go up, lift, or raise. In this context, to throw or strew.
  • dust: (Hebrew: ʿāpār, עָפָר) Fine, dry particles of earth. Symbolically, it signifies insignificance, mortality (Gen 3:19, Ps 103:14), and particularly, deep mourning, humility, repentance, or utter despair when placed upon the head (Job 2:12; 1 Sam 4:12; Lam 2:10). It marks a state of extreme abjection.
  • upon their heads: This specific act was a recognized ancient Near Eastern custom of mourning, publicly demonstrating intense sorrow, humiliation, and often, an acknowledgement of judgment or defeat.
• they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
  • wallow themselves: (Hebrew: pālaš, פָּלַשׁ, in Hithpael, yitpalāšû) To roll oneself around, specifically in dust or ashes. This is an even more profound act of prostration and self-abasement than simply putting dust on the head. It suggests a complete surrender to grief and an identification with the ruin.
  • ashes: (Hebrew: ēper, אֵפֶר) The residue of burning. Symbolically represents death, desolation, worthlessness, and complete destruction (Isa 61:3). As a mourning practice, rolling in ashes or sitting in them expressed the utmost sorrow, contrition, or a recognition of utter downfall and mortality (Job 42:6; Jon 3:6).

Words-group analysis:

• "shall cause their voice to be heard...and shall cry bitterly": This phrase emphasizes the audible and emotional intensity of the mourning. It signifies a public outcry that is both external (loud, heard by others) and deeply internal (filled with bitter anguish), highlighting the universal and visceral impact of Tyre's demise on observers. The lamentation is not merely a custom but a true expression of sorrow.
• "cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes": This pairing vividly illustrates the performative and physical aspects of profound grief and humiliation. These actions move beyond mere expressions of sadness to encompass utter despair, self-abasement, and an almost desperate identification with the complete destruction of Tyre. Together, they form a powerful image of people reduced to the most basic, debased state in their sorrow.

Ezekiel 27 30 Bonus section

• The "their" in the verse refers primarily to Tyre's former trading partners, particularly the "kings of the sea," "mariners," and other seafaring peoples mentioned in Ezekiel 27:32-36. Their lamentation is rooted not only in sadness for Tyre but also in economic devastation and the chilling realization that their own prosperity might be similarly transient.
• The ritualistic acts of mourning (dust, ashes) indicate an extraordinary and unprecedented event. Such elaborate displays underscore that Tyre's collapse was viewed as an immense cataclysm, affecting the entire commercial world she once dominated.
• This scene serves as a stark contrast to Tyre's earlier self-perception as a wise and beautiful (Ezek 28:2, 12) entity, now reduced to an object of bitter lament, with her magnificence exchanged for humiliation and her glory for ruin.
• The use of present participles in the original Hebrew suggests the vividness and certainty of the event—it's portrayed as if already happening, cementing the prophetic vision.

Ezekiel 27 30 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:30 powerfully captures the widespread lament that will follow Tyre's fall, emphasizing the intense shock and sorrow it will cause throughout the maritime world. The "voice to be heard" and "crying bitterly" describe an agonized, public wailing, far beyond a quiet sorrow. The ancient Near Eastern customs of casting dust upon the head and wallowing in ashes graphically illustrate the depth of despair, self-humiliation, and abjection. These actions are potent symbols of acknowledging mortality, utter loss, and the complete destruction that has befallen Tyre, revealing the shattering of worldly pride and material glory. It is a dirge not just for a city, but for a fallen empire of trade, where onlookers mourn their lost partner and fear for their own stability in a world where even the impregnable can crumble under divine judgment.