Ezekiel 27:24

KJV

These [were] thy merchants in all sorts [of things], in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.

KJV (with Strong's)

These were thy merchants {H7402} in all sorts {H4360} of things, in blue {H8504} clothes {H1545}, and broidered work {H7553}, and in chests {H1595} of rich apparel {H1264}, bound {H2280} with cords {H2256}, and made of cedar {H729}, among thy merchandise {H4819}.

Complete Jewish Bible

brought you in exchange for your goods rich clothes, cloaks made of blue material and embroidery, and cedar-lined chests filled with multicolored clothing and bound with cords.

Berean Standard Bible

In your marketplace they traded with you fine garments of blue, embroidered work, and multicolored rugs with cords tightly twisted and knotted.

American Standard Version

These were thy traffickers in choice wares, in wrappings of blue and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:24 continues the detailed prophetic lament over Tyre, a powerful Phoenician city-state, by meticulously cataloging the luxurious and diverse goods that flowed through its vast commercial network. This verse specifically highlights high-value textiles like blue clothes and broidered work, along with chests of rich apparel, all transported in securely bound cedar containers, underscoring Tyre's unparalleled opulence, its global reach as a trading hub, and the immense material wealth that ultimately fueled its pride and foreshadowed its dramatic downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 27 is a profound dirge, or funeral lament, for the city of Tyre, presented as a magnificent ship that is ultimately wrecked. Following a detailed enumeration of Tyre's extensive trade partners and the specific goods they supplied (Ezekiel 27:12-23), verse 24 continues this exhaustive inventory, focusing on the high-value luxury items that were both imported and exported, showcasing the pinnacle of Tyre's material prosperity. This detailed cataloging serves to emphasize the sheer scale of Tyre's commercial empire, setting the stage for the dramatic depiction of its destruction in the subsequent verses (Ezekiel 27:26-36), which vividly portrays the collapse of this once-glorious vessel. The meticulous description of its wealth intensifies the pathos of its impending ruin, reinforcing the prophetic message of divine judgment against human pride and self-sufficiency, as introduced in [Ezekiel's earlier prophecies against Tyre](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a dominant Phoenician city-state, renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its maritime prowess, advanced shipbuilding, and extensive trade networks that spanned the Mediterranean and beyond. Located on an island off the coast of modern-day Lebanon, its strategic position allowed it to control vital sea lanes and act as a central entrepôt for goods from across the known world. The items mentioned in Ezekiel 27:24—blue clothes, broidered work, and rich apparel in cedar chests—were not merely commodities but symbols of immense wealth and status in the ancient world. Tyrian purple dye, though "blue clothes" (H8504 *tᵉkêleth*) specifically refers to a cerulean or violet blue, was famously produced in Tyre and was exceptionally expensive, often reserved for royalty and the elite. Cedar, sourced from the mountains of Lebanon, was highly prized for its durability, aromatic qualities, and resistance to decay, making it ideal for constructing valuable items like chests and ships. The description paints a picture of a city at the zenith of its commercial power, a hub where the most coveted luxury goods were traded.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, embedded within Ezekiel's lament, powerfully contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it highlights the **Extravagant Wealth and Luxury** that defined Tyre, presenting a vivid tableau of its material opulence. The specific mention of "blue clothes" and "broidered work" underscores the city's access to and trade in items of the highest value and craftsmanship, reflecting the lavish lifestyles of its inhabitants and clientele. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of Tyre's **Global Trade Network**, demonstrating the vast reach and diversity of its commercial enterprises that brought exotic and valuable goods from distant lands to its markets. Tyre's role as a major ancient entrepôt, facilitating the exchange of goods across continents, is clearly depicted. Finally, and most significantly, the detailed portrayal of Tyre's immense wealth serves as a crucial backdrop for the broader theological theme of **Pride and Materialism** and their inevitable downfall. The city's reliance on its riches and its self-exaltation, rather than acknowledging divine sovereignty, is a central message of Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre, culminating in the condemnation of Tyre's king for his arrogance in [Ezekiel 28:5](/ezekiel/28-5 "Ezekiel 28:5 - Tyre's Pride in its Wisdom and Wealth"). The verse thus implicitly warns against placing ultimate trust in transient earthly possessions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **blue (Hebrew, _tᵉkêleth'_):** This term (H8504) refers to a specific shade of blue or violet dye, likely derived from the murex snail, which was incredibly rare and expensive to produce. Such "blue clothes" were not common garments but symbols of royalty, priestly status, and immense wealth. Their inclusion here signifies the luxury and high value of the textiles traded by Tyre.
* **broidered work (Hebrew, _riqmâh'_):** Denoting variegation of color or specifically embroidery (H7553), this refers to intricate, often multi-colored, needlework. Such craftsmanship added significant value to textiles, making them highly prized items. The presence of "broidered work" indicates Tyre's trade in artisanal luxury goods, often used for elite attire or ceremonial purposes, as seen in [the priestly garments described in Exodus](/exodus/28 "Exodus 28 - Priestly Garments").
* **rich apparel (Hebrew, _bᵉrôwm'_):** This word (H1264) likely refers to damask or stuff of variegated thread, signifying garments of exceptional quality and high value. The term emphasizes the luxurious nature of the clothing traded, suggesting fine fabrics, possibly imported, and adorned with precious materials, indicative of the elite clientele Tyre served.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [were] thy merchants in all sorts [of things],"**: This opening clause identifies the individuals or entities involved in Tyre's trade, emphasizing that they dealt in a vast array of goods. The phrase "all sorts [of things]" (H4360 *miklul*) suggests a comprehensive, perfect, or splendid collection of merchandise, highlighting the diversity and high quality of items flowing through Tyre.
* **"in blue clothes, and broidered work,"**: This specifies two highly prized categories of textiles. "Blue clothes" (H8504 *tᵉkêleth*) refers to garments dyed with expensive blue or violet dye, often associated with royalty and wealth. "Broidered work" (H7553 *riqmâh*) denotes intricately embroidered fabrics, a testament to skilled craftsmanship and a luxury item in itself. These details underscore the opulence of Tyre's trade.
* **"and in chests of rich apparel,"**: This clause further elaborates on the nature of the luxury goods. "Chests" (H1595 *genez*) implies secure containers, suggesting the preciousness of their contents. "Rich apparel" (H1264 *bᵉrôwm*) refers to garments of superior quality and value, likely made from fine materials and possibly adorned with precious metals or jewels, indicating that these were not ordinary clothes but highly valuable commodities.
* **"bound with cords, and made of cedar,"**: This describes the protective measures taken for these valuable goods. Being "bound with cords" (H2280 *châbash* and H2256 *chebel*) indicates that the chests were securely fastened, preventing damage or theft during transport. The fact that they were "made of cedar" (H729 *ʼâraz*) highlights the quality of the containers themselves; cedar was a durable, aromatic, and decay-resistant wood, signifying the care taken to preserve the precious cargo.
* **"among thy merchandise."**: This concluding phrase succinctly places the described luxury items within the broader context of Tyre's overall commercial activity (H4819 *markôleth*). It reiterates that these specific goods were but a part of the vast and diverse inventory that constituted Tyre's immense wealth and trade empire.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 27:24 employs several literary devices to vividly portray Tyre's commercial grandeur. **Imagery** is paramount, painting a detailed picture of luxurious textiles and robust, valuable containers, allowing the reader to visualize the opulence of Tyre's markets. The specific mention of "blue clothes," "broidered work," and "chests of rich apparel" provides concrete, sensory details that evoke wealth and sophistication. The use of **Enumeration** or **Cataloging** throughout Chapter 27, and specifically in this verse, serves to emphasize the sheer volume and diversity of Tyre's trade, creating an overwhelming sense of its economic power. While not a direct metaphor, the verse contributes to the overarching **Metaphor** of Tyre as a magnificent ship, with these goods representing its precious cargo, highlighting its value before its prophesied shipwreck. The meticulous detail also implies a form of **Hyperbole**, as the sheer accumulation of such rare and valuable items suggests a level of prosperity that borders on the fantastical, underscoring the magnitude of Tyre's pride and the scale of its impending fall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:24, with its vivid depiction of Tyre's extravagant wealth, serves as a powerful theological statement about the transient nature of earthly riches and the dangers of placing ultimate trust in material possessions. The city's immense prosperity, meticulously detailed by the prophet, becomes the very backdrop against which its impending judgment is pronounced. This passage underscores the biblical principle that while wealth itself is not inherently evil, an unbridled pursuit of it, leading to pride and self-sufficiency, inevitably invites divine reckoning. Tyre's story is a stark reminder that all human achievements and material empires, no matter how grand, are ultimately subject to God's sovereign will and can be dismantled in an instant. It challenges the notion that security and significance can be found in accumulated goods or commercial prowess, pointing instead to the fleeting nature of all that is earthly.

* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trust in Riches vs. Righteousness")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Revelation 18:11-17](/revelation/18-11 "Revelation 18:11-17 - Lament Over Babylon's Lost Riches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's detailed inventory of Tyre's luxurious merchandise in verse 24 offers a profound mirror for contemporary reflection. In a world often defined by consumerism and the relentless pursuit of material accumulation, Tyre's story serves as a sober warning. While trade and economic prosperity are not inherently sinful, the passage challenges us to examine the source of our security, identity, and ultimate trust. Do we, like Tyre, derive our pride and sense of invincibility from our possessions, careers, or financial standing? The meticulous description of Tyre's wealth, followed by its prophesied destruction, reminds us that all earthly treasures are transient and subject to decay, theft, or unforeseen calamities. True and lasting security, significance, and joy are found not in what we accumulate, but in our relationship with God and our investment in eternal values. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of humility, recognizing God as the ultimate provider, and to prioritize spiritual riches—faith, love, righteousness, and a relationship with Christ—over fleeting material ones. It prompts us to consider how our resources can be used for God's glory and the good of others, rather than solely for self-aggrandizement.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What aspects of my life or culture might reflect a similar reliance on material wealth or human achievement, rather than on God?**
* **How does the transient nature of Tyre's wealth challenge my own priorities and investments of time, energy, and resources?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a heart that seeks spiritual riches and eternal treasures over fleeting earthly possessions?**
* **How can I use any material blessings I have to honor God and serve others, rather than allowing them to foster pride or self-sufficiency?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the specific goods mentioned in Ezekiel 27:24?**

Answer: The goods listed—"blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar"—were highly significant because they represented the pinnacle of luxury and value in the ancient world. "Blue clothes" (specifically *tᵉkêleth*) referred to textiles dyed with an extremely expensive and rare blue or violet dye, often associated with royalty, nobility, and priestly garments (see [Exodus 28:6](/exodus/28-6 "Exodus 28:6 - The Ephod of Blue, Purple, and Scarlet")). "Broidered work" indicated intricate and costly embroidery, a skilled craft that added immense value to fabrics. "Rich apparel" suggested garments of the finest quality, possibly adorned with precious materials. The "chests of rich apparel" made of durable, aromatic cedar and "bound with cords" further emphasized the preciousness of the cargo, requiring secure and high-quality containers for transport. These items collectively showcased Tyre's role as a hub for the most coveted and valuable commodities, reflecting its immense wealth and the lavish lifestyles it supported.

**Why does Ezekiel provide such a detailed list of Tyre's merchandise and trade partners?**

Answer: Ezekiel's meticulous detailing of Tyre's trade in Chapter 27, including the specific items in verse 24, serves several crucial prophetic and theological purposes. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the **magnitude of Tyre's wealth and commercial empire**, emphasizing the scale of its global reach and economic power. This detailed depiction makes the subsequent prophecy of its destruction even more dramatic and impactful, highlighting the great height from which it would fall. Secondly, it underscores the **source of Tyre's pride and self-sufficiency**. The city's arrogance stemmed from its perceived invincibility, built upon its vast material riches and extensive trade network, as articulated in [Ezekiel 28:2](/ezekiel/28-2 "Ezekiel 28:2 - Tyre's King Claims Divine Status"). By detailing its wealth, Ezekiel shows what Tyre trusted in, making its judgment a clear consequence of its misplaced reliance. Finally, the elaborate description serves as a **powerful object lesson** for Israel and for all future generations: no earthly kingdom, no matter how prosperous or powerful, is beyond God's judgment if it succumbs to pride and forgets its dependence on Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The detailed description of Tyre's transient wealth in Ezekiel 27:24, destined for destruction, stands in stark contrast to the eternal and incorruptible riches found in Christ. Tyre's pursuit of "blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel" represents the human tendency to accumulate earthly treasures and find security in material possessions. However, the New Testament consistently reorients our focus from perishable wealth to the enduring kingdom of God. Jesus himself taught his disciples to "[store up for yourselves treasures in heaven](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven"), where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." The ultimate "rich apparel" is not found in human craftsmanship but in the righteousness of Christ, which serves as the "wedding garment" for those invited to the heavenly feast ([Matthew 22:11-14](/matthew/22-11 "Matthew 22:11-14 - The Wedding Garment")). While Tyre's merchants traded in goods that would eventually be consumed by fire or swallowed by the sea ([Ezekiel 27:36](/ezekiel/27-36 "Ezekiel 27:36 - Tyre's Final Destruction")), Christ offers an inheritance that is "[imperishable, undefiled, and unfading](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")" in heaven. The true "merchandise" of eternal value is the gospel itself, which offers reconciliation with God through the sacrifice of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing spiritual riches far surpassing any earthly luxury. Thus, Tyre's fall serves as a powerful prophetic shadow, highlighting the necessity of turning from the transient glories of this world to the everlasting glory of Christ and His eternal kingdom.

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

2 Kings 2:8

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped [it] together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.