Ezekiel 27 7

Ezekiel 27:7 kjv

Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.

Ezekiel 27:7 nkjv

Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was what you spread for your sail; Blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah was what covered you.

Ezekiel 27:7 niv

Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was your sail and served as your banner; your awnings were of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah.

Ezekiel 27:7 esv

Of fine embroidered linen from Egypt was your sail, serving as your banner; blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah was your awning.

Ezekiel 27:7 nlt

Your sails were made of Egypt's finest linen,
and they flew as a banner above you.
You stood beneath blue and purple awnings
made bright with dyes from the coasts of Elishah.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 7 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:7 describes one of the components contributing to Tyre's majestic appearance, likening it to a magnificent ship. The verse highlights that Tyre's sail, made of fine linen adorned with embroidered work, originated from Egypt. This sail was not merely functional but also served as a visible banner or standard, symbolizing Tyre's opulence, international trade connections, and national pride, which ultimately rested on its material wealth and external alliances rather than divine favor.

Ezekiel 27 7 Context

Ezekiel chapter 27 is a prophetic lamentation (a qînāh) over the impending destruction of Tyre, a major Phoenician city-state renowned for its maritime power and wealth. The prophet likens Tyre to a magnificent ship, built from the finest materials gathered from various nations, representing its vast trading network and accumulated riches. This specific verse (7) details the source of the ship's splendid sail and banner, emphasizing the role of Egypt and its high-quality textiles. The immediate chapter context portrays Tyre as a self-sufficient, arrogant entity whose glory and identity are derived entirely from its worldly possessions and international alliances. Historically, Tyre was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon for thirteen years (c. 586-573 BCE), after Ezekiel's prophecy, fulfilling the judgments proclaimed by God against its pride and covetousness.

Ezekiel 27 7 Word analysis

• שֵׁשׁ (Shesh): "Fine linen"
  • Significance: A premium textile, made from flax, known for its whiteness, softness, and durability. It was an expensive, high-quality fabric.
  • Biblical Use: Frequently associated with royalty (Gen 41:42), wealth (Luke 16:19), and especially priestly garments and temple furnishings in the Tabernacle and Temple, denoting purity and sanctity (Exod 28, 39). Its presence here highlights Tyre's extravagant luxury and also, implicitly, contrasts with its sacred uses, suggesting a misappropriation of such "precious" material for worldly glory.
• בְּרִקְמָה (biriqmah): "with embroidered work"
  • Meaning: Signifies elaborately woven or needleworked patterns.
  • Significance: Indicates superior craftsmanship and added value to the already expensive fine linen. It underscores the artistry and refined tastes associated with Tyre's maritime wealth. Such work was a specialty of skilled artisans (Exod 35:35).
• מִמִּצְרַיִם (mimitsrayim): "from Egypt"
  • Meaning: Indicates the country of origin, Egypt.
  • Significance: Egypt was renowned for its high-quality linen production. This detail pinpoints a key source of Tyre's luxury goods and emphasizes its vast commercial reach and dependence on foreign nations for its opulence. From a prophetic perspective, relying on Egypt was often depicted as a spiritual error for Judah, and here, Tyre's pride in Egyptian imports is similarly contextualized as a reliance on earthly powers.
• הָיָה (hayah): "was" / "became"
  • Meaning: A form of the verb "to be," indicating existence or transition.
  • Significance: The linen "became" this component, emphasizing the material's transformation into something vital for Tyre's identity and function.
• מִפְרָשֵׂךְ (mifrashekh): "your spread sail" / "your sailcloth"
  • Meaning: Refers specifically to the sail of a ship, that which is spread out to catch the wind.
  • Significance: The sail is crucial for the ship's movement and visibility. By making Tyre's sail from such rich materials, the prophet illustrates the city's self-generated momentum and its prominent, often boastful, presence on the seas. It symbolizes both its functional power and its aesthetic display.
• לִהְיוֹת (lihiyot): "to be" / "for being"
  • Meaning: An infinitive, indicating purpose or result.
  • Significance: Connects the sail's physical presence to its symbolic role as a standard.
• לָךְ (lach): "for you"
  • Meaning: A dative pronoun, meaning "for yourself" or "for your use."
  • Significance: Emphasizes that this grand banner served Tyre's own identity and pride, rather than any divine purpose.
• לְנֵס (l'nes): "for a banner" / "for a standard"
  • Meaning: A flag, standard, or ensign, typically raised to signal, rally troops, or display national identity.
  • Significance: While nes can also signify a "miracle" or "sign," in this maritime context, it represents a conspicuous emblem. Tyre's sail was not just functional but also its symbol of power and identity, a bold statement to the world about its wealth and stature. Critically, while God sometimes uses "banner" (nes) for His own gathering or protection (e.g., Exod 17:15, "The LORD Is My Banner"; Isa 11:10), Tyre's banner here is self-made and rooted in its worldly glory, an implicit critique of its pride.

• "Fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt": This phrase captures the luxurious and exotic nature of Tyre's wealth, sourced from one of the most ancient and powerful civilizations. It signifies an emphasis on aesthetic quality, high cost, and the global reach of Tyre's trade routes. This detailed sourcing illustrates the very foundation of Tyre's grandeur.
• "was your spread sail, to be for you a banner": This grouping connects the functional aspect of the ship (the sail for propulsion) with its symbolic representation (the banner of identity and pride). Tyre's visible power and national honor were literally carried on its material achievements and the beauty of its commercial goods. The sail itself, though functional, becomes a flamboyant declaration of its independence and supremacy.

Ezekiel 27 7 Bonus section

The depiction of Tyre's sail also as its banner suggests a deeper cultural point: a ship's standard was not merely an aesthetic choice but often a declaration of its origin, power, and even a statement of defiance or prowess. In a world without global communication, the distinctiveness and opulence of a ship's identifying banner could intimidate or impress, embodying the reputation of the city it represented. For Tyre, its entire identity and self-perception as a dominant maritime force were wrapped up in such displays of wealth, directly challenging the notion of God as the sole sovereign. This emphasis on visible splendor (the nes made of expensive Egyptian materials) stands in stark contrast to the hidden spiritual reality of its corruption and hubris, leading to God's inevitable judgment.

Ezekiel 27 7 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:7, within the elaborate allegory of Tyre as a magnificent ship, vividly portrays the city's self-proclaimed grandeur and the international origins of its opulence. The sail, a critical component for maritime power, being fashioned from Egyptian fine linen and intricate embroidery, highlights both the preciousness of its resources and the vastness of its trading empire. This lavish sail acted as Tyre's banner, proudly displayed for all the world to see, declaring its identity and success. However, this self-aggrandizement, founded on accumulated wealth and shrewd international alliances rather than divine blessing, ultimately underscores its impending downfall. The prophet's detailed description ironically serves not to celebrate Tyre, but to emphasize the magnitude of the pride that God is about to dismantle. It subtly contrasts earthly banners of self-made glory with the divine "banner" of the Lord (Exod 17:15; Isa 11:10).