Ezekiel 27 35

Ezekiel 27:35 kjv

All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance.

Ezekiel 27:35 nkjv

All the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at you; Their kings will be greatly afraid, And their countenance will be troubled.

Ezekiel 27:35 niv

All who live in the coastlands are appalled at you; their kings shudder with horror and their faces are distorted with fear.

Ezekiel 27:35 esv

All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you, and the hair of their kings bristles with horror; their faces are convulsed.

Ezekiel 27:35 nlt

All who live along the coastlands
are appalled at your terrible fate.
Their kings are filled with horror
and look on with twisted faces.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 35 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:35 describes the intense reaction of other maritime nations and their leaders to the utter destruction of Tyre. It conveys a profound sense of shock, terror, and physical revulsion experienced by those who witness or hear of the once-mighty trading city's demise. This scene emphasizes the devastating impact of Tyre's downfall and the widespread dread it instills in those who previously depended on or admired its power and prosperity.

Ezekiel 27 35 Context

Ezekiel 27 is a prophetic lamentation, a funeral dirge for Tyre, depicting its ultimate destruction. It personifies Tyre as a magnificent ship, built from the finest materials and manned by skilled sailors, which journeys across the seas, symbolizing its extensive trade network and immense wealth. The chapter details Tyre's vast commercial empire, listing its trading partners and the exotic goods it exchanged. The description underscores Tyre's extreme pride and self-sufficiency, attributing its greatness solely to human wisdom and resources rather than divine favor. Verse 35 serves as part of the dramatic climax, immediately following the description of the shipwreck and the lament of Tyre's former trading partners. It depicts the emotional aftermath and the reaction of those who relied on Tyre or were witness to its maritime supremacy, demonstrating that even distant powerful rulers would be appalled at its fate. This prophecy served not only as a judgment against Tyre for its arrogance and economic exploitation but also as a warning to the exiled Judah, reinforcing God's sovereignty over all nations, mighty or small, and the futility of trusting in worldly power and riches.

Ezekiel 27 35 Word analysis

• All (כֹּל - kol): This Hebrew word means "the whole," "entirety," or "every." Its usage here emphasizes the universal and complete scope of the reaction. It implies that no inhabitant of any significant coastland, irrespective of their relationship with Tyre, remained unaffected or unobservant of its cataclysmic fall. It signals the pervasive nature of the shock.
• the inhabitants of the coastlands (יֹשְׁבֵי אִיִּים - yoshvei ʾiyyiym): Yoshvei means "dwellers" or "inhabitants," and ʾiyyiym refers to "islands" or "coastlands." This phrase highlights Tyre's sphere of influence as a major maritime trading power. The collapse of Tyre, the queen of the sea, would naturally reverberate among all coastal populations, including traders, sailors, and the general populace who lived by or on the sea, disrupting economies and challenging perceptions of power.
• are appalled (שָׁמְמוּ - shamemu): This verb means "to be desolated," "to be laid waste," or "to be appalled/horrified." It conveys a deeper sense of dread and emptiness than mere surprise. The desolation is not just of the physical land but also of the spirit, bringing a terrifying stillness. It denotes a bewilderment and shock that results from a total ruin, suggesting that Tyre's fall created a vacuum or an unprecedented scene that evoked extreme consternation and an internal sense of being devastated.
• at your fate (עָלַיִךְ - ʿalayikh): Literally "over you" or "concerning you." In context, this refers to the catastrophic judgment and utter destruction that has befallen Tyre. It's the cause of their appalled reaction – the overwhelming reality of Tyre's downfall and ruin.
• their kings (וּמַלְכֵיהֶם - u'malkeihem): This specifies that not only the common people but also the rulers of these coastlands share in the terror. Kings are symbols of power and stability. Their fear demonstrates that Tyre's destruction challenged the very foundation of their worldview regarding security, power, and sovereignty in the region. Their official positions give this terror political and societal weight.
• are terrified (חָתְוּ - chatvū): This Hebrew verb signifies "to be dismayed," "terrified," "broken," or "shattered." It indicates an acute, deep-seated fear that paralyzes and profoundly shakes courage. It goes beyond simple fright to a state of being utterly broken or overcome by dreadful news, highlighting a loss of composure and self-possession among these powerful rulers.
• and their faces are convulsed with horror (וּפָנִים חָפֵזּוּ - u'fanim khafezū):
  • their faces (וּפָנִים - u'fanim): The face is often the most expressive part of the human body, conveying immediate emotional states. This implies a visible, undeniable reaction.
  • are convulsed with horror (חָפֵזּוּ - khafezū): This verb suggests "to hasten," "to make haste," "to be agitated," or "to blanch with fear." In this context, it depicts a physical manifestation of extreme terror – faces turning pale, becoming contorted, or perhaps showing visible signs of distress like trembling. It vividly portrays the visceral impact of the horror on them, indicating a loss of dignity and composure under immense emotional strain. It speaks of a panic and deep anguish.

Ezekiel 27 35 Bonus section

The strong verbs used in Ezekiel 27:35, such as shamemu (appalled) and chatvū (terrified), evoke a profound sense of emptiness and dread, similar to the awe-struck terror nations experienced at God's miraculous acts (e.g., Red Sea parting). This highlights a key theological point: when God brings judgment, it often results in such a 'terrible wonder' that it instills existential fear in observers, far beyond mere geopolitical calculation. The focus on "coastlands" and "kings" broadens the scope of impact, transforming Tyre's downfall from a regional event into a globally significant divine demonstration, effectively turning the tragedy of Tyre into a universal lesson about divine justice and the ultimate fragility of human achievements when opposed to God's will.

Ezekiel 27 35 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:35 vividly describes the widespread and intense international reaction to Tyre's prophesied fall. The combined effect of "appalled," "terrified," and "faces convulsed with horror" paints a graphic picture of extreme shock, dismay, and visible physical dread among both common inhabitants and kings of the maritime world. This universal panic is a stark commentary on the transience of earthly power, wealth, and security, contrasting sharply with Tyre's earlier self-assured grandeur. The spectacle of a leading superpower brought to such desolation underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over all human endeavors and serves as a profound warning that reliance on material strength and pride will inevitably lead to ruin, challenging observers to re-evaluate where true security lies.