Ezekiel 27

The second part of this prophecy is a lamentation over Tyre; describing her beauty and resources. The full and lively picture here drawn of Tyre’s wealth and glory in the prophet’s time illustrates the Divine foreknowledge, as well as the Divine power, in making her what she has become. This chapter is deeply interesting also, as being the most extended account which we possess of the commerce of the world at that early date. Skinner says that from a literary point of view this and the 28th are amongst the most beautiful chapters in the whole book.

3 the entry of the sea. Heb., “the entrances of the sea,” probably referring to the two ports of the island.

5. Senir. Or, “Shenir”; a name of Hermon: see note on Deut. iii. 8, 9.

6. The company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory. Rather, “They have made thy planking of ivory, inlaid in box from the isles of Chittim” (Cyprus): op. R.V., and marg.: see note on Numb. xxiv. 24.

Elishah. “Elishah” probably means the coastlands and islands of Greece (Hellas). In these was found the shell-fish murex, from which purple dye is obtained.

that which covered thee. i.e., “thine awnings.”

8. Arvad. An island on the northern part of the Phœnician coast, now Ruad: see Gen. x. 18.

9. Gebal. Called by the Greeks, Byblos, and now Jebeil: see note on 1 Kings v. 18.

to occupy. Rather, “to deal in.”

10. They of Persia, etc. An enumeration of the mercenary troops engaged by Tyre. “Lud,” a tribe of Egypt: see Isa. lxvi. 19, note. “Phut,” the Libyans: see Jer. xlvi. 9, note.

they set forth thy comeliness. That is, “they contributed to thy glory.” After the destruction of Tyre as an independent power by Nebuchadrezzar, she contributed her quota of ships and men to the service of Persia (Herod. vii. 89; Arrian, ii. 15).

13. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech. “Javan” signifies probably the Ionian Greeks of the western coasts of Asia Minor; “Tubal,” the Tibareni, on the north coast of Pontus; “Meshech,” the Moschi in the Caucasus and the shores of the Black Sea. The two latter names seem to survive in Tobolsk and Muscovy.

14. Togarmah. Armenia: op. Gen. x. 2, note.

15. Dedan. See note on Isa. xxi. 13.

for a present. Rather, “for a price”; i.e., in exchange (R.V.).

horns of ivory. Elephants’ tusks.

16. Syria. Some manuscripts and versions read “Edom,” which suits the arrangement better. The difference in the Hebrew letters is that between “I and I”.

emeralds. Probably “carbuncles” (R.V. marg.). “Agate,” rather, rubies (R.V.).

17. Minnith. A place belonging to the Ammonites: see Judges xi. 33.

pannag. Perhaps, “cake” (see R.V.). Fürst, however, in his Heb. Lexikon thinks Pannag is the name of a place.

18. Helbon. Probably Chalybon, north-west of Damascus, now Helbùn, which produced the favourite wine of the Persian kings.

19. Dan also. Heb., “Vedan,” probably the name of a tribe. “Javan” usually denotes the Greeks; and the word rendered “going to and fro,” rather means “from Uzal.” Read, “Vedan and Javan,” Arab and Greek merchants, “traded from Uzal in thy markets,” or, “for thy wares.” Uzal is the modern Senea, capital of Yemen in Arabia.

21 the princes of Kedar. See note on Isa. xxi. 17.

22. Sheba and Raamah. Cushite nations mentioned in Gen. x. 7.

23. Canneh. Probably the same as Calneh or Calno, since Ctesiphon, on the Tigris. These three places were in Mesopotamia: see Isa. x. 9; xxxvii. 12. “Sheba” in this verse is probably the Shemite Sheba of Gen. x. 28. “Chilmad” is unknown.

25. The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee. Rather, as R.V., “The ships of Tarshish were thy caravans for thy merchandise.” The Vulgate has, “naves marks, principes tui in negotiatione tua,” “the ships of the sea, your leaders in your business.” A different reading of the Hebrew gives “ministered unto thee” (Redpath).

26 the east wind hath broken thee. Cp. Psa. xlviii. 7; Jer. xviii. 17.

27 occupiers. Or, “exchangers,” or “traders.” Cp. “Occupy till I come” (Luke xix. 13).

28. The suburbs. The surrounding seas and coasts.

34. In the time [when] thou shalt be broken. Or, “now that thou art broken.”