Ezekiel 27 6

Ezekiel 27:6 kjv

Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim.

Ezekiel 27:6 nkjv

Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; The company of Ashurites have inlaid your planks With ivory from the coasts of Cyprus.

Ezekiel 27:6 niv

Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; of cypress wood from the coasts of Cyprus they made your deck, adorned with ivory.

Ezekiel 27:6 esv

Of oaks of Bashan they made your oars; they made your deck of pines from the coasts of Cyprus, inlaid with ivory.

Ezekiel 27:6 nlt

They carved your oars
from the oaks of Bashan.
Your deck of pine from the coasts of Cyprus
was inlaid with ivory.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 6 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:6 is part of a detailed lamentation (a dirge or funeral song) over Tyre, portrayed as a magnificent merchant ship. This verse describes the superb and luxurious materials used in its construction. It highlights the strong oaks from Bashan employed for the essential oars and the opulent ivory benches, or decks, sourced through the distant islands of Chittim, crafted perhaps by skilled artisans from a region associated with Ashur. The verse illustrates Tyre's immense wealth, extensive trade network, and sophisticated craftsmanship, all contributing to its image of unparalleled strength and splendor, yet also setting the stage for its dramatic downfall.

Ezekiel 27 6 Context

Ezekiel chapter 27 is a powerful dirge (a song of lamentation for the dead) against the city of Tyre. Following prophecies against Tyre in chapter 26 that declare its utter destruction, chapter 27 details the reasons for this judgment and magnifies the tragedy by portraying Tyre as a magnificent, perfectly crafted merchant ship now utterly wrecked. The prophet uses an elaborate metaphor, itemizing every component of the ship, from its hull to its sails, crew, and cargo, showing its international grandeur.

Verse 6 specifically contributes to this detailed ship imagery by describing two vital components: the oars and the benches/decks. It highlights not just what they were, but where the materials came from (Bashan, Chittim) and who crafted them (implied skill of "Ashurites" or the type of materials they represent). This emphasizes Tyre's far-reaching trade, access to prime resources, and sophisticated maritime engineering and artistry. Historically, Tyre was a dominant Phoenician city-state, an island fortress renowned for its naval power, colonization, and extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean. Its wealth was legendary, fueling its pride and self-sufficiency, which often came into conflict with God's sovereignty and purposes for His people, Israel. The detailed description of its luxury sets up a powerful ironic contrast with its prophesied destruction, demonstrating that no human edifice, no matter how grand, can withstand divine judgment.

Ezekiel 27 6 Word analysis

• Of the oaks (בַּאֲלֻונִים, ba'ălunim): Plural of אַלּוֹן (allon), meaning "oak." These trees are renowned for their strength, durability, and resistance, making them ideal for heavy-duty construction. The use of "oaks" signifies superior quality material chosen for robustness.
• of Bashan (בָּשָׁן, Bashan): A fertile, well-forested region east of the Jordan River, celebrated for its strong, majestic oak and cypress trees (e.g., Isa 2:13; Zech 11:2). Sourcing wood from Bashan implied using premium, top-tier materials known for their resilience, indicating Tyre spared no expense for its critical ship components.
• have they made thine oars (עָשׂוּ אֶת מִשׁוֹטַיִךְ, 'asu 'et mishoṭayik): עָשׂוּ ('asu) means "they made" or "crafted." מִשׁוֹטַיִךְ (mishoṭayik) translates to "your oars." Oars are crucial for propelling a ship, especially in adverse conditions or without wind. The "they" implies skilled laborers, perhaps those local to Bashan or imported for their expertise, demonstrating international involvement in Tyre's manufacturing prowess.
• the company of the Ashurites (חֻשֻּׁב כֶּשְׁתּוּמֶים בֵּית־אַשּׁוּר, khushshubh keshtum 'Ashshur): This is a complex phrase with varying translations.
  • חֻשֻּׁב (khushshubh) can mean "inlaid work" or "boards."
  • בֵּית־אַשּׁוּר (beit-'ashshur), "House of Ashur," commonly refers to Assyria or Assyrians. Some scholars interpret "Ashurites" as a skilled craft guild, perhaps from regions influenced by Assyria, or referring to suppliers of materials from these areas. Other translations, reflecting alternative textual readings or interpretations, suggest "cypress wood" or "boxwood" (perhaps אֲשׁוּרִים as a type of tree rather than people) or refer to an intricate style of crafting. The KJV "Ashurites" implies foreign skilled labor or providers contributing to Tyre's luxury goods, aligning with Tyre's cosmopolitan character.
• have made thy benches of ivory (קַרְשֵׁיךְ שֵׁן, qarsheyk shen): קַרְשֵׁיךְ (qarsheyk) means "thy decks" or "thy planks/benches." שֵׁן (shen) unequivocally means "ivory" (literally "tooth"). This signifies the use of rare, costly, and exotic material for the ship's seating or deck surfaces, indicative of extreme luxury and wealth. It underscores that Tyre's vessel was not just functional but also a lavish display of its opulence.
• brought out of the isles of Chittim (מִבְּתֵי אִיֵּי כִּתִּים, mibbĕthey 'îyyey kittim): מִבְּתֵי (mibbetey) means "from the daughters/shores of." אִיֵּי (iyyey) is plural for "islands." כִּתִּים (Kittim), often identified with Cyprus, broadly refers to the islands and coastlands of the Mediterranean. Ivory was typically sourced from African or Indian elephants, implying a vast trade network where these exotic goods were transshipped or acquired through Cyprus (Kittim) as a major hub for luxury items en route to Tyre. This detail illustrates the immense reach of Tyre's commercial empire.

Words-group analysis:

• "Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars": This phrase emphasizes the commitment to both strength and exotic sourcing for essential elements. The "oaks of Bashan" were famous for their exceptional quality, implying that Tyre's foundational propulsion was built from the finest, most robust wood available, even if it had to be brought from a distant, renowned region. This signifies meticulous planning, investment, and the ability to command resources globally for high-performance functionality.
• "the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory": This highlights lavish opulence and highly specialized craftsmanship. Regardless of the exact interpretation of "Ashurites," the inclusion of ivory—a rare, imported, and expensive material—for the benches or decks demonstrates that Tyre's ship was adorned with extreme luxury, indicating prestige and extravagant wealth rather than mere utility. The "company" aspect implies a division of skilled labor and international contribution to Tyre's unparalleled ship construction.
• "brought out of the isles of Chittim": This further details the extensive reach of Tyre's trade network. Chittim (Cyprus or wider Mediterranean islands) served as a vital intermediary in the acquisition of such exotic materials as ivory. This specific geographic detail illustrates the comprehensive, globalized nature of Tyre's commercial enterprise, underscoring its pivotal role as a nexus for ancient trade routes that brought precious commodities from far-flung lands.

Ezekiel 27 6 Bonus section

The metaphor of Tyre as a splendid, globally resourced ship is one of the most vivid and sustained in the Old Testament. Each detail, like those in verse 6, builds this grand image not just for poetic effect, but to contrast the city's self-perceived glory with its destined ruin. The choice of materials from various regions across the ancient world—Bashan from the east, Chittim from the west/islands—presents Tyre as a true melting pot and central hub of ancient commerce and craftsmanship. This verse is not just a descriptive passage; it is an inversion of human expectation. Typically, such meticulous description would laud an empire's greatness. Here, it is an inventory of doomed assets, setting up the theological polemic that even the most impressive human endeavors, built on pride and self-sufficiency, are subject to the sovereign will of God and can be brought to nothing.

Ezekiel 27 6 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:6 is a stroke in the prophet's painting of Tyre as the epitome of human pride and achievement, soon to face divine judgment. The description of its oars fashioned from the mighty oaks of Bashan speaks to sheer strength and resourcefulness, signaling that Tyre's maritime power was built on premium, enduring materials. Its benches, however, moving beyond mere utility, were crafted from imported ivory sourced through the Isles of Chittim, indicative of staggering wealth and a taste for lavishness. This juxtaposition of strong functionality (Bashan oak for oars) with exotic luxury (ivory for benches) underscores Tyre's unique position as both an industrial and a high-fashion leader of the ancient world. The verse, therefore, highlights Tyre's boundless access to global resources, its masterful craftsmanship, and the unparalleled splendor of its maritime ventures, all contributing to the formidable, yet ultimately doomed, edifice of its worldly kingdom. The detailing of these splendid, man-made creations serves to magnify the extent of its impending fall, showing that no amount of human ingenuity, wealth, or global connections can prevent the fulfillment of God's word.