Ezekiel 27:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, [which art] a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I [am] of perfect beauty.

Complete Jewish Bible:

say to Tzor, located at the gateways to the sea, merchant for peoples to many coastlands, that Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Tzor, you have said, "My beauty is perfect."

Berean Standard Bible:

Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, that this is what the Lord GOD says: You have said, O Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’

American Standard Version:

and say unto Tyre, O thou that dwellest at the entry of the sea, that art the merchant of the peoples unto many isles, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Thou, O Tyre, hast said, I am perfect in beauty.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And say^{H559} unto Tyrus^{H6865}, O thou that art situate^{H3427} at the entry^{H3997} of the sea^{H3220}, which art a merchant^{H7402} of the people^{H5971} for many^{H7227} isles^{H339}, Thus saith^{H559} the Lord^{H136} GOD^{H3069}; O Tyrus^{H6865}, thou hast said^{H559}, I am of perfect^{H3632} beauty^{H3308}.

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Commentary for Ezekiel 27:3

Ezekiel 27:3 is a part of the larger prophetic oracle against the city of Tyre, which is found in the book of Ezekiel, chapters 26-28. Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city, renowned for its maritime prowess and extensive trade networks. It was situated on the coast of modern-day Lebanon and was an island city, which gave it a strategic advantage for trade and defense.

In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is directed by God to address Tyre directly. The city is personified and described as being "situate at the entry of the sea," highlighting its geographical significance as a gateway between the Mediterranean and the broader ancient world. Tyre's prominence as a merchant city is emphasized by the phrase "a merchant of the people for many isles," indicating its extensive trade relations with numerous islands and distant lands. This trade was a source of great wealth and influence for Tyre.

The latter part of the verse, "Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I [am] of perfect beauty," reflects the city's pride and self-perception. Tyre considered itself to be of unrivaled beauty and perfection, likely due to its prosperity, fortifications, and strategic location. However, this verse sets the stage for a divine rebuke, as the Lord God, through Ezekiel, challenges Tyre's arrogance and self-reliance. The city's boast of perfect beauty is contrasted with its impending downfall, which is prophesied to come as a result of its pride and the judgment of God.

The historical context of this prophecy is significant. It was delivered during the period of the Babylonian Exile, when Judah was under the dominion of the Babylonian Empire. Although Tyre was not immediately affected by the Babylonians, the city's eventual destruction and the fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy would serve as a testament to God's sovereignty over nations and as a warning against human pride and self-glorification. The oracle against Tyre is a reminder of the transient nature of worldly power and the ultimate accountability of all nations to the divine.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6865
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צֹר
   Transliteration: Tsôr
   Pronunciation: tsore
   Description: or צוֹר; the same as צֹר; a rock; Tsor, a place in Palestine; Tyre, Tyrus.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3997
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְבוֹאָה
   Transliteration: mᵉbôwʼâh
   Pronunciation: meb-o-aw'
   Description: feminine of מָבוֹא; a haven; entry.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3220
   There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָם
   Transliteration: yâm
   Pronunciation: yawm
   Description: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward).
   
6. Strong's Number: H7402
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָכַל
   Transliteration: râkal
   Pronunciation: raw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to travel for trading; (spice) merchant.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7227
   There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַב
   Transliteration: rab
   Pronunciation: rab
   Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
   
9. Strong's Number: H339
   There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִי
   Transliteration: ʼîy
   Pronunciation: ee
   Description: from אָוָה; properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island; country, isle, island.
   
10. Strong's Number: H136
    There are 910 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֲדֹנָי
    Transliteration: ʼĂdônây
    Pronunciation: ad-o-noy'
    Description: an emphatic form of אָדוֹן; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only); (my) Lord.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3069
    There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוִה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvih
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vee'
    Description: a variation of יְהֹוָה (used after אֲדֹנָי, and pronounced by Jews as אֱלֹהִים, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounce יְהֹוָה as אֲדֹנָי); {YHWH}; God.
    
12. Strong's Number: H3632
    There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּלִיל
    Transliteration: kâlîyl
    Pronunciation: kaw-leel'
    Description: from כָּלַל; complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully; all, every whit, flame, perfect(-ion), utterly, whole burnt offering (sacrifice), wholly.
    
13. Strong's Number: H3308
    There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יֳפִי
    Transliteration: yŏphîy
    Pronunciation: yof-ee'
    Description: from יָפָה; beauty; beauty.