Ezekiel 27:10

KJV

They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.

KJV (with Strong's)

They of Persia {H6539} and of Lud {H3865} and of Phut {H6316} were in thine army {H2428}, thy men {H582} of war {H4421}: they hanged {H8518} the shield {H4043} and helmet {H3553} in thee; they set forth {H5414} thy comeliness {H1926}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Men from Paras, Lud and Put were [mercenaries] in your army; hanging shield and helmet on you, they showed off your splendor.

Berean Standard Bible

Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put served as warriors in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls; they gave you splendor.

American Standard Version

Persia and Lud and Put were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:10 is an intricate detail within the prophet Ezekiel's profound lamentation over Tyre, a city personified as a magnificent merchant vessel. This verse specifically illuminates Tyre's formidable military alliances, identifying soldiers from Persia, Lud, and Phut as integral components of its army. These foreign mercenaries not only served as elite warriors but also significantly contributed to Tyre's outward display of strength and splendor, symbolized by the shields and helmets they proudly hung within the city, thereby augmenting its self-proclaimed "comeliness" and perceived invincibility, which was fundamentally built on human might and extensive worldly connections.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 27 unfolds as an elaborate and poignant funeral dirge, or lamentation, pronounced by the prophet Ezekiel against the powerful Phoenician city of Tyre. Following the initial prophecy of judgment in [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre"), this chapter employs an extended and vivid metaphor, portraying Tyre as a grand, meticulously constructed merchant ship that navigates the vast seas, accumulating immense wealth and diverse resources from across the known world. This intricate imagery serves to underscore Tyre's profound self-perception of its own glory, independence, and invincibility, meticulously detailing every aspect of its construction, precious cargo, and diverse crew. Verse 10 specifically contributes to the comprehensive description of this "ship's" formidable "crew" and "defenses," showcasing the array of powerful and distant nations that served as its military allies, contributing directly to its outward display of might and splendor. This detailed portrayal of Tyre's grandeur meticulously sets the stage for the dramatic and inevitable "shipwreck"—the divine judgment—described later in the chapter, amplifying the tragedy of its fall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Tyre was a preeminent Phoenician city-state, strategically situated on the Mediterranean coast, renowned for its unparalleled maritime trade and immense wealth, flourishing from approximately the 10th to the 6th centuries BCE. Its unique island location provided significant natural defenses, which were further augmented by formidable fortifications and a powerful navy. Culturally, Tyre was a vibrant hub of international commerce, attracting an eclectic mix of merchants, exotic goods, and skilled mercenaries from across the Near East, North Africa, and beyond. The specific mention of "Persia," "Lud," and "Phut" in this verse is highly significant. While Persia (ancient Iran) would later emerge as a dominant empire, its inclusion here suggests either Tyre's far-reaching network of influence or a prophetic insight into future military powers. Lud is frequently identified with Lydia in Asia Minor or a region in North Africa, while Phut (or Put) is generally associated with Libya or parts of North Africa, possibly extending to Ethiopia. Both Lud and Phut were widely recognized for their formidable mercenary soldiers, indicating Tyre's strategic reliance on hired warriors to supplement and strengthen its own forces. The practice of "hanging the shield and helmet" was a common ancient display of military prowess and a boastful exhibition of a city's strength and the valor of its defenders, intended both to intimidate potential adversaries and to impress allies.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 27:10 significantly contributes to several overarching themes pervasive within Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre and broader biblical literature. Firstly, it powerfully highlights **Tyre's immense pride and profound self-reliance** in its worldly power, extensive alliances, and material wealth. The city's "comeliness" (splendor) was explicitly derived not from divine favor or spiritual strength, but from its vast material resources and formidable human military might. This echoes a consistent biblical warning against trusting in human strength, as articulated in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord, not chariots"). Secondly, the verse underscores **the illusion of security** that such worldly splendor and human alliances ultimately provide. Despite its impressive network of allies and its outward show of strength, Tyre's glory was inherently fleeting and utterly incapable of withstanding divine judgment. This theme is consistently found in prophetic warnings against nations that exalt themselves, as vividly depicted in [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre"). Finally, it foreshadows the **transient nature of all earthly glory and human achievement** when juxtaposed with God's eternal sovereignty and ultimate authority. The meticulously detailed description of Tyre's grandeur serves to amplify the shock and devastation of its prophesied downfall, emphasizing that all human empires, their perceived invincibility, and their accumulated might are ultimately subject to God's supreme authority, a truth powerfully articulated in [Daniel 4:34-35](/daniel/4-34-35 "Daniel 4:34-35 - God's Eternal Dominion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Comeliness (Hebrew, _hâdâr'_):** From H1926, this word denotes magnificence, ornament, splendor, beauty, excellency, or glory. In the context of Ezekiel 27:10, it describes how the visible presence and display of the foreign mercenaries' weaponry contributed to Tyre's outward appearance of grandeur and formidable beauty. It speaks directly to the city's self-perception and the impressive image it meticulously sought to project to the world—an image of invincibility, resplendent power, and self-assured majesty.
* **Army (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** From H2428, this term signifies a force, whether of men, means, or other resources, encompassing concepts such as valor, strength, wealth, or a host. Here, it specifically refers to the military force of Tyre, which comprised both its own citizens and, crucially, these foreign mercenaries. The use of "chayil" emphasizes the substantial, formidable, and diverse nature of Tyre's military might, which was a core component of its perceived security, influence, and ability to project power.
* **Helmet (Hebrew, _kôwbaʻ'_):** From H3553, this word refers to a helmet, typically described as high or rounded. In this verse, the helmet, alongside the shield, is not merely a piece of defensive equipment but a potent symbol of military readiness, martial prowess, and the formidable nature of Tyre's allied forces. Its public display ("hanged... in thee") served as a visual testament to Tyre's military strength and the valor of its foreign defenders, directly contributing to the city's "comeliness" or splendid and awe-inspiring appearance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war:":** This initial clause precisely identifies specific foreign nations—Persia, Lud, and Phut—as integral and active components of Tyre's military forces. It underscores Tyre's extensive international reach and its strategic reliance on a diverse array of mercenary soldiers to bolster its fighting strength. These were not merely distant allies but active participants within Tyre's "army," serving as its "men of war," highlighting the city's significant geopolitical importance and its capacity to command formidable human resources from distant lands.
* **"they hanged the shield and helmet in thee;":** This phrase vividly describes a specific and culturally significant ancient practice: the public display of military equipment. The act of "hanging the shield and helmet" within the city of Tyre signifies that these foreign soldiers were not merely transient visitors but were integrated into Tyre's defenses, showcasing their readiness for battle and contributing to the city's visible military might. It was a powerful demonstration of strength, a boastful exhibition of the city's martial prowess, and a clear testament to the loyalty and formidable nature of its allies.
* **"they set forth thy comeliness.":** This concluding phrase reveals the ultimate purpose and profound effect of the foreign mercenaries' presence and their prominently displayed weaponry. Their inclusion in Tyre's army and the public exhibition of their military gear served to "set forth" or dramatically enhance Tyre's "comeliness" (H1926, _hâdâr'_). This means they added significantly to the city's splendor, majesty, and outward beauty, contributing directly to its image of invincibility and self-assured grandeur in the eyes of the world. It powerfully highlights how Tyre's perceived glory, prestige, and security were deeply intertwined with its military power and extensive international alliances.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 27:10, situated within the broader context of the chapter, masterfully employs several potent literary devices. The most pervasive is **Personification**, where the city of Tyre is vividly and elaborately depicted as a magnificent merchant ship, complete with a diverse crew (its inhabitants and foreign allies) and a rich cargo (its immense wealth). This sustained **Metaphor** allows Ezekiel to describe Tyre's meteoric rise, its period of unparalleled glory, and its eventual catastrophic fall in a dramatic, memorable, and deeply impactful manner, making the abstract concept of a city's destiny tangible and relatable. The precise enumeration of nations such as Persia, Lud, and Phut, alongside the specific mention of "hanging the shield and helmet," functions as a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (the specific foreign contingents and their weaponry) represents the whole (Tyre's vast military power, extensive international network, and the source of its perceived glory). Furthermore, the concluding phrase "they set forth thy comeliness" utilizes powerful **Symbolism**, where the shields and helmets symbolize not merely military equipment but the very source of Tyre's pride and outward splendor—its profound reliance on human strength, worldly alliances, and material display rather than divine protection. The entire description of Tyre's grandeur leading inevitably to its downfall also functions as a profound form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is aware of the prophesied catastrophic end of this magnificent "ship," rendering its current display of "comeliness" tragically ironic and ultimately futile.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:10 serves as a powerful theological statement regarding the true nature of security and glory. Tyre's profound reliance on a vast network of human alliances and its immense pride in its material and military "comeliness" stands in stark contrast to fundamental biblical principles of trusting in God alone. The passage implicitly critiques the pervasive human tendency to find ultimate security, identity, and worth in external, worldly achievements, accumulated wealth, and perceived power, rather than in the divine. This theme resonates deeply throughout the entire sweep of Scripture, consistently warning against the inherent futility of human strength and the transient nature of all earthly glory when pursued apart from God. Ultimately, Tyre's devastating downfall, despite its impressive display of power, underscores the immutable biblical truth that God alone is sovereign, and all nations, their empires, and their might are ultimately subject to His righteous judgment and eternal authority.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction")
* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16-17 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No king is saved by the size of his army")
* [Jeremiah 9:23-24](/jeremiah/9-23-24 "Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 27:10 holds profound and enduring relevance for contemporary individuals and societies alike. It serves as a timeless and poignant warning against the perilous temptation to place ultimate trust and derive our sense of "comeliness" or inherent worth from external, worldly sources—whether it be financial prosperity, strategic political alliances, overwhelming military might, or even personal achievements, reputation, and social standing. Like ancient Tyre, we can become so utterly enamored with our self-made grandeur and the outward display of our perceived strengths that we tragically fail to recognize the fleeting nature of such glory and the foundational truth that true security, lasting beauty, and eternal significance are found solely in God. This verse challenges us deeply to critically examine the very foundations of our confidence and identity: Are we building our lives on the shifting sands of human strength, fleeting resources, and transient successes, or on the unshakeable rock of God's eternal sovereignty, unfailing provision, and unchanging character? It calls us to profound humility, reminding us that any "comeliness" or strength we possess is ultimately a gracious gift from God, and true honor comes only from acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all strength, glory, and enduring worth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I, or my society, primarily tend to place ultimate trust and find our "comeliness" or sense of security and identity?**
* **How does the transient and ultimately devastating nature of Tyre's glory challenge my own reliance on worldly achievements, material possessions, or human approval?**
* **In what specific ways might I be tempted to display my "shields and helmets" (my strengths, successes, or resources) for human admiration and self-exaltation rather than for God's glory?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take to consciously shift my trust from human efforts, alliances, and outward displays of power to God's unfailing power, sovereign provision, and eternal faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Who were Lud and Phut, and why were they significant to Tyre?**

Answer: Lud (H3865, _Lûwd'_) and Phut (H6316, _Pûwṭ'_) were ancient nations typically associated with regions in North Africa, specifically Libya or parts of Egypt and Ethiopia. In the ancient world, these regions were renowned for providing highly skilled and formidable mercenary soldiers. Their significance to Tyre lay in their crucial contribution to the city's military strength and its global reputation. By employing warriors from Lud and Phut, Tyre not only demonstrated its immense wealth and extensive international network, as it could afford to hire elite foreign fighters, but these mercenaries also bolstered Tyre's defenses, added to its formidable reputation, and contributed significantly to its outward display of power, thereby enhancing the city's "comeliness" (splendor) as vividly described in [Ezekiel 27:10](/ezekiel/27-10 "Ezekiel 27:10 - Tyre's Military Alliances").

**Why is Tyre described as a ship in Ezekiel 27?**

Answer: Ezekiel 27 employs an extended and masterful metaphor of Tyre as a magnificent merchant ship to vividly illustrate its identity, immense wealth, and eventual catastrophic downfall. Tyre was the preeminent Phoenician maritime city-state, and its prosperity, power, and very existence were entirely dependent on its extensive sea trade and naval prowess. The ship metaphor allows Ezekiel to meticulously detail every aspect of Tyre's glory—its exquisite construction (materials, craftsmanship), its precious cargo (diverse goods from around the world), its skilled crew (its people and its powerful allies like those mentioned in [Ezekiel 27:10](/ezekiel/27-10 "Ezekiel 27:10 - Tyre's Military Alliances")), and its vast network of global trade. This elaborate and sustained imagery makes the prophecy of its destruction, dramatically described as a devastating shipwreck in [Ezekiel 27:26-36](/ezekiel/27-26-36 "Ezekiel 27:26-36 - Tyre's Shipwreck"), all the more poignant, dramatic, and impactful, symbolizing the complete and irreversible collapse of its economic, military, and political power.

**What is the significance of "hanging the shield and helmet" in Tyre?**

Answer: The act of "hanging the shield and helmet" (H8518, _tâlâh'_, for "hanged"; H4043, _mâgên'_, for "shield"; H3553, _kôwbaʻ'_, for "helmet") was a common and highly symbolic ancient practice used to display military prowess and readiness. It signified that these foreign soldiers from Persia, Lud, and Phut were not just temporary allies but active, integrated participants in Tyre's defense, woven into its military fabric. This public display of weaponry served multiple crucial purposes: it was a boastful exhibition of strength, a powerful deterrent to potential enemies, and a significant source of civic pride for the city itself. In the specific context of [Ezekiel 27:10](/ezekiel/27-10 "Ezekiel 27:10 - Tyre's Military Alliances"), it explicitly contributed to Tyre's "comeliness" (H1926, _hâdâr'_), profoundly enhancing its outward appearance of grandeur, formidable power, and self-assured invincibility in the eyes of the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 27:10, with its vivid depiction of Tyre's "comeliness" derived from human strength, worldly alliances, and outward display, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's stark contrast between fleeting earthly glory and the eternal kingdom of God. Tyre's immense pride in its visible military might and its reliance on a vast network of foreign mercenaries for its splendor ultimately proved futile, leading to its devastating and irreversible fall. This serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the transient nature of all human empires, their perceived invincibility, and their accumulated power, which ultimately cannot stand against the sovereign and righteous will of God. In Christ, we behold the true "comeliness" and glory, not of human making or worldly display, but of divine origin and eternal substance. Jesus did not come with an earthly army, nor did He rely on powerful political or military alliances; instead, He came in profound humility, demonstrating a power that utterly transcends all worldly might, as beautifully described in [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation"). His kingdom is emphatically not of this world, as He declared to Pilate in [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom is Not of This World"), meaning it does not derive its strength from human armies, political influence, or material wealth, but from God's eternal truth, redemptive love, and spiritual authority. The true "shield and helmet" for believers are not physical armaments displayed for show or human admiration, but the spiritual armor of God, as meticulously detailed in [Ephesians 6:10-17](/ephesians/6-10-17 "Ephesians 6:10-17 - The Armor of God"), which enables them to stand firm against spiritual forces and the schemes of the enemy. Unlike Tyre's fleeting and ultimately false splendor, the glory of Christ and His eternal church is everlasting, built securely on the cornerstone of His perfect sacrifice and triumphant resurrection, offering a security and beauty that will never fade, as promised in [Revelation 21:23-27](/revelation/21-23-27 "Revelation 21:23-27 - The New Jerusalem's Glory"). Thus, Tyre's misplaced confidence and tragic downfall serve as a stark and powerful backdrop for the ultimate, enduring, and truly glorious reality found in humble reliance on the Lamb of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 30:5

Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.

Ezekiel 38:5

Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

Jeremiah 46:9

Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle [and] bend the bow.

Isaiah 66:19

And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, [to] Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, [to] Tubal, and Javan, [to] the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

Song Of Solomon 4:4

Thy neck [is] like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.

1 Chronicles 1:17

The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.

Genesis 10:13

And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,