Ezekiel 27 33

Ezekiel 27:33 kjv

When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.

Ezekiel 27:33 nkjv

'When your wares went out by sea, You satisfied many people; You enriched the kings of the earth With your many luxury goods and your merchandise.

Ezekiel 27:33 niv

When your merchandise went out on the seas, you satisfied many nations; with your great wealth and your wares you enriched the kings of the earth.

Ezekiel 27:33 esv

When your wares came from the seas, you satisfied many peoples; with your abundant wealth and merchandise you enriched the kings of the earth.

Ezekiel 27:33 nlt

The merchandise you traded
satisfied the desires of many nations.
Kings at the ends of the earth
were enriched by your trade.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 33 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:33 captures the pinnacle of Tyre's global commercial prowess and economic influence. It describes how Tyre, through its extensive maritime trade, effectively met the demands of numerous nations, and with its vast riches and goods, directly enhanced the wealth and power of kings across the known world. This verse illustrates Tyre as a vital economic artery, supplying goods, fostering prosperity, and creating dependency among nations and their rulers due to its unmatched mercantile strength.

Ezekiel 27 33 Context

Ezekiel 27:33 is embedded within a profound lament and prophecy of doom against Tyre (Ezekiel 26-28), one of the ancient world's most prominent maritime cities. This particular chapter (Ezekiel 27) paints a detailed, vivid picture of Tyre as a magnificent trading ship, elaborately constructed with the finest materials and staffed by skilled workers from various nations. The verse marks the high point of Tyre's commercial description, showcasing its vast network and unparalleled success before detailing its dramatic, divinely orchestrated downfall.

Historically, Tyre, a Phoenician city-state, was famed for its naval prowess, extensive trading empire, and wealth derived from control over lucrative trade routes across the Mediterranean and beyond. Its colonies spanned the known world, and its purple dye, highly valued craftsmanship, and commercial ingenuity made it an indispensable hub in the ancient global economy. This prosperity, however, fostered immense pride, leading Tyre to believe in its self-sufficiency and invulnerability. The prophecy serves as a polemic against such hubris, asserting that all earthly power and wealth, no matter how grand, ultimately come under God's sovereign judgment when disconnected from His will.

Ezekiel 27 33 Word analysis

• When your wares (כְּצֵאת מַעֲצָבַיִךְ, k'tzet ma'atzavayich):
  • כְּצֵאת (k'tzet): "When going out," "as they went forth." Derived from יָצָא (yatsa), meaning to go out, emerge, or depart. It emphasizes the active, outward movement of Tyre's trade, signifying expansion and reach.
  • מַעֲצָבַיִךְ (ma'atzavayich): "Your wares," "your merchandise." This term can also mean "products of your labor" or "your dealings." It suggests not merely raw goods, but manufactured items, products of skill and industry, indicating the value and sophistication of Tyre's trade.
• went out to the seas (מִיַּמִּים, miyamim): "From/to the seas." While literally "from the seas," in this context with k'tzet, it conveys the direction "to the seas" as the medium for global distribution. It highlights the vast, encompassing reach of Tyre's maritime commerce across international waters, establishing its identity as a seaborne power.
• you satisfied (הִשְׂבַּעַתְּ, hisba'at): "You satiated," "you filled completely," "you provided abundantly." This is the Hiphil perfect of שָׂבַע (sava'), meaning to be satisfied or full. It indicates that Tyre did not just supply needs but overwhelmed, provided plentifully, and perhaps even indulged, the diverse populations it traded with, reflecting its extraordinary abundance.
• many peoples (עַמִּים רַבִּים, amim rabim): "Numerous peoples" or "diverse nations." This emphasizes the extensive, international scope of Tyre's clientele. It underlines that its economic activity impacted a vast array of cultures and societies beyond its immediate neighbors, demonstrating its central position in ancient geopolitics.
• with your great wealth (בְּרֹב הוֹנֵךְ, b'rov honekh): "With the abundance of your wealth," "with your vast riches."
  • רֹב (rov): "Greatness," "multitude," "abundance."
  • הוֹנֵךְ (honekh): "Your wealth," "your riches," "your possessions." This phrase speaks of the accumulated capital and material prosperity that allowed Tyre to operate on such a grand scale, distinguishing mere goods from accumulated fortune.
• and your merchandise (וּמַעֲרָבֵךְ, u'ma'aravekh): "And your tradable goods," "your commercial exchanges." From עָרַב (arav), meaning to barter or trade. This word, often translated as merchandise, highlights the transactional nature and the specific articles of trade, reinforcing the dual aspects of accumulated wealth (honekh) and circulating goods (ma'arav).
• you enriched (הֶעֱשַׁרְתְּ, he'esheart): "You caused to become rich," "you made wealthy." Hiphil perfect of עָשַׁר (ashar), to be rich. This active verb underscores Tyre's role as an economic enabler. Its trade did not merely provide goods; it actively generated wealth for its partners, suggesting a powerful and transformative economic force.
• the kings of the earth (מַלְכֵי אֶרֶץ, malchey eretz): "The rulers of the land/world." This refers to the political leaders of various nations. By specifically naming "kings," the prophecy points to Tyre's high-level economic and diplomatic influence, demonstrating that even those at the apex of political power were enriched and likely made dependent on Tyre's commerce. אֶרֶץ (eretz) here implies the extent of the known world.

Words-group analysis:

• "When your wares went out to the seas, you satisfied many peoples": This phrase portrays Tyre as a vibrant, outgoing economic force. The "going out to the seas" denotes its expansive reach through naval commerce. "Satisfied many peoples" signifies its immense capability to supply and even oversupply a vast international clientele, illustrating its pivotal role in sustaining global economies.
• "with your great wealth and your merchandise": These terms act in tandem, clarifying the dual source of Tyre's influence. "Great wealth" speaks to its deep reserves of capital, enabling massive operations. "Merchandise" refers to the goods themselves, highlighting the tangible offerings that formed the basis of its transactions, solidifying the breadth and depth of its economic foundation.
• "you enriched the kings of the earth": This climax reveals the true extent of Tyre's power. It didn't just meet demands for ordinary people; it actively uplifted and contributed to the treasury and influence of the most powerful rulers of the day. This demonstrates an almost symbiotic, yet ultimately hierarchical, relationship where kings were made richer through their association with Tyre, implying a significant geopolitical dependence.

Ezekiel 27 33 Bonus section

• Tyre's economic network can be seen as a sophisticated early form of globalization, showcasing the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations through commerce.
• The verse, by highlighting Tyre's enriching influence, implicitly critiques an economic system where wealth, when unrighteously acquired or proudly relied upon, eventually draws divine retribution, mirroring later warnings against the love of money (1 Tim 6:10).
• The emphasis on "satisfying" peoples and "enriching" kings points to Tyre's role not just as a trader but as a vital player in maintaining stability and prosperity across its trade network, ironically making its eventual fall all the more devastating for its dependencies.
• The ultimate collapse of such a dominant commercial power underscores the transience of all human empires and achievements, contrasting with the enduring and righteous kingdom of God (Dan 2:44, Lk 1:33).
• The detailed description in Ezekiel 27, including verse 33, serves as a powerful illustration for the book of Revelation's depiction of "Babylon the Great," a commercial and political power that similarly falls from its height (Rev 18).

Ezekiel 27 33 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:33 concisely captures the height of Tyre's global dominance, depicting it not merely as a commercial power, but as a central economic engine for the ancient world. The verse stresses Tyre's proactive role in meeting the demands of diverse nations ("satisfied many peoples") and, crucially, in elevating the financial status of world leaders ("enriched the kings of the earth"). This wasn't incidental trade; it was a deliberate and impactful generation of wealth that integrated Tyre deeply into the political and economic fabric of its era. This self-made prosperity, however, became the source of the city's pride and a direct cause for its prophesied downfall, illustrating a biblical pattern where material accumulation and self-sufficiency often lead to divine judgment, as seen in other prosperous but hubristic entities like Babylon (Rev 18) or even Israel itself (Deut 8:17-18).