Ezekiel 27 8

Ezekiel 27:8 kjv

The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.

Ezekiel 27:8 nkjv

"Inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; Your wise men, O Tyre, were in you; They became your pilots.

Ezekiel 27:8 niv

Men of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; your skilled men, Tyre, were aboard as your sailors.

Ezekiel 27:8 esv

The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; your skilled men, O Tyre, were in you; they were your pilots.

Ezekiel 27:8 nlt

Your oarsmen came from Sidon and Arvad;
your helmsmen were skilled men from Tyre itself.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 8 Meaning

This verse describes Tyre as a maritime nation with experienced mariners and skilled navigators who commanded its ships. Tyre's strength and prosperity were tied to its seafaring abilities, its naval power, and the expertise of its sailors.

Ezekiel 27 8 Context

Ezekiel 27 is a dirge, or a funeral lament, pronounced against the city of Tyre. Tyre was a powerful and wealthy Phoenician city renowned for its maritime trade, skilled craftsmanship, and vast influence. God is using Ezekiel to prophesy its utter destruction and desolation as a consequence of its pride, its complicity in the sins of Israel's enemies, and its idolatry. The chapter functions as a detailed account of Tyre's extensive trading network, highlighting the contributions of various nations to its prosperity, but it culminates in the prophesied downfall that will serve as a stark warning to other nations. This particular verse sets the stage by identifying a key component of Tyre's strength: its experienced sailors and navigators.

Ezekiel 27 8 Word Analysis

• the elder women
  • zkenot (Hebrew transliteration): This Hebrew word for "elders" or "old women" can also imply experienced or venerable individuals. In the context of a seafaring nation like Tyre, it suggests the most seasoned and skilled sailors who held a position of authority and respect among the mariners.
  • Significance: It speaks to the deep-rooted maritime tradition of Tyre, passed down through generations.
• thy mariners
  • chozeha (Hebrew transliteration): This term refers to those who look, watch, or are lookouts. In a nautical context, it signifies skilled sailors who understand the sea, weather, and navigation, essentially the experienced seamen of Tyre.
  • Significance: It underscores the human element of Tyre's naval prowess; their skill and knowledge were crucial.
• were in thee
  • bam (Hebrew transliteration): This is a prepositional phrase indicating "in you" or "within you." It places the mariners as integral to the very being and operation of the city of Tyre.
  • Significance: Highlights that their expertise was internal to Tyre's infrastructure and reputation.
• O destruction!
  • habb'olal (Hebrew transliteration): This exclamatory interjection is rendered as "O the wrecker!" or "O the confounder!" or "O the destroyer!" It anticipates the eventual doom of Tyre and possibly addresses the very cause or instrument of its ruin. It carries a strong sense of judgment and impending calamity.
  • Significance: This is an apostrophe, directly addressing the force of destruction itself or personifying the devastating outcome, emphasizing the completeness of Tyre's eventual fall. It’s a cry of anticipation of judgment.
• thy shipbuilders
  • choletsheich (Hebrew transliteration): From the root chalaṣ (to draw out, pull out, deliver), this phrase can be interpreted as "thy drawers out of ships" or "thy shipwrights/shipbuilders," indicating those who constructed or launched vessels.
  • Significance: Connects the expertise of the mariners with the skill in construction, emphasizing Tyre's comprehensive mastery of naval architecture and operations.
• were in thee
  • haggabir (Hebrew transliteration): Again, bam (in thee).
  • Significance: Reinforces that both the experienced sailors and the shipbuilders were native to Tyre and constituted its core strength.
• thy carpenters
  • choresim (Hebrew transliteration): This term refers to engravers, skilled workmen, or artisans who worked with wood. In this context, it clearly means carpenters who fashioned and equipped the ships.
  • Significance: Demonstrates the deep level of craftsmanship and specialization within Tyre that contributed to its maritime dominance.
• and thy mixers of mortar
  • cholebayeik (Hebrew transliteration): This phrase is more challenging and less common. It's debated, but one interpretation relates it to workers who "kneaded" or "mixed" pitch or cement (chomer) used in ship construction for waterproofing and joining timbers. Another interpretation could be those who prepared materials for building.
  • Significance: Indicates the practical, behind-the-scenes labor essential for robust shipbuilding, highlighting the meticulous detail in their engineering and construction processes.

Ezekiel 27 8 Bonus Section

The lament for Tyre serves as a profound illustration of how worldly wisdom and accomplishment, detached from reverence for the Creator, become hollow and ultimately lead to ruin. The specific details of Tyre's maritime prowess in this chapter, from the cedars of Lebanon used in their ships to the skilled manpower they employed, serve to amplify the magnitude of their coming fall. This paints a picture of the ultimate vanity of building security and identity on material prosperity and human expertise alone, rather than on the faithfulness of God and His word. The lament structure itself is a literary device used throughout Scripture to highlight the severity of judgment.

Ezekiel 27 8 Commentary

Tyre's renown and power were built on its sophisticated maritime infrastructure and the skills of its people. This verse specifically points to the "wise men" of Tyre – its seasoned sailors, experienced navigators ("mariners"), expert shipbuilders, and skilled carpenters. These were the men whose knowledge of the seas, skill in construction, and ability to manage complex voyages made Tyre a dominant force in international trade. The exclamation "O destruction!" serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of the judgment that will inevitably come upon this proud and self-reliant city. Despite their impressive abilities, their ultimate fate is to be utterly ruined. This is a classic biblical theme: human accomplishment and pride, especially when disconnected from dependence on God, inevitably lead to downfall. Their "wise men" could not save them from the divine judgment.