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

Ezekiel 27:8 describes the complex human resource structure of Tyre's naval power, highlighting its reliance on the neighboring Phoenician cities of Sidon and Arvad for basic maritime labor, specifically oarsmen. Crucially, it emphasizes that Tyre itself retained the most critical, highly skilled navigational positions, with its own wise men serving as its master pilots, demonstrating its strategic control and leadership within its maritime enterprise.

Ezekiel 27 8 Context

Ezekiel 27 is a vivid and elaborate funeral dirge, or lamentation (Hebrew: qina), delivered by the prophet against Tyre. It portrays the magnificent city as a beautifully constructed ship, full of splendor and riches, representing its vast maritime empire and trade network. This chapter details Tyre's vast resources, the exotic origins of its materials, and the international scope of its personnel. Verse 8, specifically, fits within the description of Tyre's human complement. Historically, Tyre was a dominant Phoenician city-state, an island fortress, renowned for its extensive trade routes and naval power. It was situated along the Levant coast and, while interacting as an independent city, it often collaborated with or asserted influence over its neighboring Phoenician cities like Sidon and Arvad, both geographically and culturally similar maritime powers. The verse establishes the hierarchical and collaborative nature of Tyre's formidable naval force, drawing skilled labor from its allies while retaining ultimate leadership within its own skilled populace. This portrayal subtly highlights Tyre's self-reliance and global reach, setting the stage for the dramatic reversal prophesied in the chapter.

Ezekiel 27 8 Word analysis

• The inhabitants of Sidon: (Heb. yōšəbê ṣîḏôn)
  • yōšəbê: "inhabitants of," "dwellers of." This denotes those who reside in a specific place, indicating the source of the personnel.
  • ṣîḏôn: "Sidon." An ancient and prominent Phoenician city-state, located north of Tyre. It was an older city and often rival or ally of Tyre, sharing a similar maritime culture. The term signifies that Tyre, despite its own might, drew foundational manpower from a neighboring but distinct entity. This demonstrates Tyre's sphere of influence and perhaps its ability to command labor from allied or subservient states.
• and Arvad: (Heb. wəʾarəvād)
  • wəʾarəvād: "and Arvad." Another important Phoenician city, an island kingdom situated even further north than Sidon. Arvad was particularly known for its skilled sailors and its seafaring culture due to its island location. Mentioning both Sidon and Arvad underscores the widespread geographical reach and external dependence for specific skill sets within Tyre's naval operations.
• were your oarsmen; (Heb. šāṭîm):
  • šāṭîm: "oarsmen," "rowers." These were the primary source of propulsion for ancient galleys. This role, while absolutely essential, required strength and coordination but was typically considered a lower-tier, labor-intensive skill compared to navigation. The phrase highlights that Tyre leveraged its regional relationships for core labor, enabling its massive fleet.
• your wise men, O Tyre, (Heb. ḥăkāmêk ṣōr):
  • ḥăkāmêk: "your wise ones," "your skillful ones," "your experts." This term, derived from the root ḥ-k-m (wisdom), denotes not just general intelligence but specific technical or practical skill and expertise. In a maritime context, it implies profound knowledge of shipbuilding, seamanship, and navigation. The possessive suffix ("your") is critical here; these were Tyre's own people, signifying internal expertise and leadership.
  • ṣōr: "Tyre." The island city, the subject of the lament, emphasizing that the highest levels of skill remained native to the primary power.
• were in you; (Heb. hāyû bāḵ):
  • hāyû bāḵ: "they were in you," "they were within you." This phrasing confirms that the "wise men" belonged to Tyre itself, in contrast to the external source of the oarsmen. It stresses the internal capacity for highly specialized knowledge and leadership, crucial for Tyre's self-governance and naval superiority.
• they were your pilots. (Heb. hēmāh ḥōvəlîm):
  • hēmāh: "they," reiterating the subject (Tyre's wise men).
  • ḥōvəlîm: "pilots," "helmsmen," "navigators." This term refers to the master mariners who were responsible for steering the ship, understanding currents, reading stars, and charting courses. This was the pinnacle of ancient seafaring skill and responsibility, as the safety and direction of the vessel (and its valuable cargo) depended entirely on their expertise. The word underscores that Tyre's strategic command and deep nautical knowledge were internally managed.

Word Groups/Phrases analysis:

• "The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen": This phrase establishes a clear division of labor and hierarchical structure. While Tyre commanded vast fleets, it drew upon the muscle and basic seafaring skill of its Phoenician neighbors. This suggests a powerful patron-client relationship where Tyre benefited from the populations and traditions of its allied cities, utilizing them for crucial but perhaps less esteemed positions. It signifies Tyre's expansive influence over its region.
• "your wise men, O Tyre, were in you; they were your pilots.": This second part contrasts with the first by highlighting Tyre's self-sufficiency in the most critical, high-skill roles. The "wise men" acting as "pilots" indicates that Tyre held onto the ultimate control, knowledge, and leadership concerning navigation and strategic direction. This speaks to Tyre's pride in its own elite capabilities, its careful safeguarding of essential expertise, and its central role as the orchestrator and leader of its maritime domain. It's a statement about where the true intelligence and command lay within its impressive network.

Ezekiel 27 8 Bonus section

The careful distinction between "oarsmen" and "pilots" highlights the distinct hierarchy and value placed on different maritime roles in the ancient world. Oarsmen, while numerous and physically demanding, represented a lower rung of skill. Pilots, conversely, were master craftsmen, navigating the dangers of the sea, demanding deep knowledge and immense experience. This verse thus demonstrates not only Tyre's ability to command labor from afar but also its internal cultivation of top-tier intellectual capital, distinguishing it as the undisputed leader in complex seafaring operations. The global nature of Tyre's personnel acquisition reflects its ambitious scope and significant commercial enterprise, attracting skilled individuals from various regions.

Ezekiel 27 8 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:8 offers a critical glimpse into the sophisticated organization of Tyre's maritime power, depicted metaphorically as a magnificent ship. The verse demonstrates that while Tyre's reach was international, sourcing foundational labor from its neighboring Phoenician cities of Sidon and Arvad for tasks like rowing, it rigorously maintained command and critical expertise within its own populace. The "wise men" of Tyre, serving as the "pilots," signifies that the highest levels of strategic direction, navigational skill, and ultimate control were firmly held by Tyre itself. This not only underscores Tyre's immense pride, advanced organizational capabilities, and its dominant position in the ancient Mediterranean world but also hints at the self-reliance that contributes to its later fall—a reliance on human wisdom and external resources rather than divine guidance. This setup emphasizes Tyre's impressive scale and internal intellectual strength.