Ezekiel 27:27

KJV

Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that [are] in thee, and in all thy company which [is] in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy riches {H1952}, and thy fairs {H5801}, thy merchandise {H4627}, thy mariners {H4419}, and thy pilots {H2259}, thy calkers {H919}{H2388}, and the occupiers {H6148} of thy merchandise {H4627}, and all thy men {H582} of war {H4421}, that are in thee, and in all thy company {H6951} which is in the midst {H8432} of thee, shall fall {H5307} into the midst {H3820} of the seas {H3220} in the day {H3117} of thy ruin {H4658}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your riches, your goods, your merchandise, your crew, your pilots, your ship-sealers, your traders, all your warriors aboard, and all the others in the ship with you will sink surrounded by the sea on the day of your shipwreck.

Berean Standard Bible

Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors, captains, and shipwrights, your merchants and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall.

American Standard Version

Thy riches, and thy wares, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the dealers in thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, with all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the heart of the seas in the day of thy ruin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:27 is a powerful and somber declaration of the comprehensive downfall awaiting the opulent and self-assured maritime city of Tyre. This verse, a climactic moment in Ezekiel's lament, vividly portrays the total collapse of Tyre's immense wealth, intricate trade networks, skilled human capital, and formidable military might. It foretells that all the elements contributing to Tyre's perceived invincibility would tragically "fall into the midst of the seas," signifying a catastrophic and irreversible ruin, akin to a magnificent ship sinking into oblivion on the very waters that once sustained its empire.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 27:27 is embedded within a profound prophetic lament (chapters 26-28) against Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city. Chapter 27, in particular, employs an extended and elaborate **metaphor** of Tyre as a magnificent, globally-connected merchant ship. The chapter meticulously details its construction, its diverse crew drawn from various nations, its vast array of merchandise, and its extensive trade routes. This verse serves as the devastating climax of this nautical allegory, describing the ship's ultimate and irreversible shipwreck. Following this lament, chapter 28 shifts to a prophecy against the Prince of Tyre, highlighting his pride and claim to divinity, further underscoring the spiritual root of Tyre's destruction. The entire lament serves to demonstrate God's sovereign judgment over all earthly powers, especially those marked by pride and exploitation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was an ancient and immensely powerful Phoenician city-state, strategically located on the eastern Mediterranean coast. It comprised both a mainland settlement and a fortified island city, making it notoriously difficult to conquer. Renowned for its unparalleled maritime prowess, Tyre established a vast trading empire that stretched across the Mediterranean, dealing in a diverse range of goods from luxury items to essential commodities. Its wealth was legendary, and its skilled craftsmen—including shipbuilders, mariners, and calkers—were highly sought after. The prophecy in Ezekiel specifically targets Tyre's hubris, its reliance on its economic and military might, and its perceived invincibility. Historically, Tyre faced significant sieges, notably by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon (which lasted 13 years, as referenced in [Ezekiel 29:17-20](/ezekiel/29-17 "Ezekiel 29:17-20 - Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Tyre")) and later by Alexander the Great, which ultimately led to its destruction.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores **the transience and ultimate futility of earthly riches and power**. Tyre's vast wealth, sophisticated trade, and military strength are all enumerated only to be declared destined for destruction, illustrating that human achievements, apart from God, are ephemeral. This resonates with warnings found in passages like [Proverbs 23:5](/proverbs/23-5 "Proverbs 23:5 - The Fleeting Nature of Riches"). Secondly, it highlights **divine judgment on pride and self-sufficiency**. Tyre's downfall is depicted as a direct consequence of its arrogance, believing its economic and naval might made it impervious to divine reckoning, a theme echoed in the judgment against the Prince of Tyre in [Ezekiel 28:1-10](/ezekiel/28-1 "Ezekiel 28:1-10 - Prophecy Against the Prince of Tyre"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **comprehensive nature of God's judgment**. The exhaustive list of Tyre's assets—from its "riches" and "merchandise" to its "mariners," "pilots," "calkers," and "men of war"—underscores that no aspect of its greatness would be spared from the impending "ruin." This total collapse serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and their ultimate accountability to Him, a concept seen throughout the prophetic books, such as in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Riches (Hebrew, _hôwn'_):** From the same root as a word implying "strength" or "power," _hôwn_ refers to "wealth" or "substance." In this context, it signifies the vast accumulation of material prosperity, capital, and valuable possessions that defined Tyre's global economic dominance. The inclusion of "riches" at the beginning of the list immediately establishes the primary source of Tyre's pride and the first target of its impending judgment.
* **Pilots (Hebrew, _chôbêl'_):** This term refers to a "sailor" or "shipmaster," specifically one skilled in handling ropes and navigating vessels. The mention of "pilots" highlights the highly specialized human expertise that was crucial to Tyre's maritime operations. Their presence underscores the city's sophisticated naval infrastructure and the indispensable role of its skilled personnel in maintaining its vast trade empire. Their inclusion in the list of what will "fall" emphasizes that even the most expert human capabilities cannot avert divine judgment.
* **Fall (Hebrew, _nâphal'_):** This primitive root means "to fall" in a wide variety of applications, including to "cast down," "cease," "die," or "perish." Here, it powerfully conveys the catastrophic and irreversible nature of Tyre's demise. It is not merely a defeat or a setback, but a complete collapse and disappearance, mirroring the sinking of a ship. The verb choice emphasizes the inevitability and totality of the destruction, leaving no hope of recovery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that [are] in thee, and in all thy company which [is] in the midst of thee":** This lengthy opening clause functions as an exhaustive catalog of Tyre's assets and the human elements that constituted its power. It encompasses its material wealth ("riches," "merchandise"), its economic infrastructure ("fairs," "occupiers of thy merchandise"), its skilled labor force ("mariners," "pilots," "calkers"), and its military might ("men of war"). The phrase "that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee" emphasizes the internal and collective nature of these elements, signifying that the entire fabric of Tyrian society and its supporting network will be engulfed in the coming ruin.
* **"shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin":** This concluding clause delivers the devastating verdict. The verb "shall fall" (Hebrew _nâphal_) denotes a complete and irreversible collapse. The imagery of falling "into the midst of the seas" is highly evocative, completing the ship metaphor from earlier in the chapter. It implies that Tyre, once master of the seas, will be swallowed by them, disappearing without a trace, its former glory submerged in oblivion. "In the day of thy ruin" underscores the certainty and appointed timing of this catastrophic event, emphasizing that its destruction is a divinely ordained and comprehensive judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 27:27 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The overarching device is **Metaphor**, where the entire city of Tyre is personified and depicted as a magnificent, globally-connected merchant ship that ultimately suffers a catastrophic shipwreck. This verse is the climactic moment of this extended metaphor, vividly portraying the sinking of the ship and all its contents. **Enumeration** or **Cataloging** is prominently used through the exhaustive listing of Tyre's assets: "riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war." This detailed inventory emphasizes the vastness of Tyre's empire and simultaneously highlights the comprehensive nature of its impending destruction, ensuring no aspect of its strength is overlooked in its downfall. The phrase "shall fall into the midst of the seas" uses powerful **Imagery**, creating a vivid mental picture of total submersion and disappearance, symbolizing complete obliteration and loss of identity. This imagery also carries **Symbolism**, where the sea, once the source of Tyre's power and wealth, becomes the instrument of its demise, representing oblivion and the overwhelming force of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:27 serves as a profound theological statement on the sovereignty of God over all nations and the transient nature of human power and prosperity. It underscores the biblical principle that reliance on material wealth, military might, or human ingenuity, apart from God, inevitably leads to ruin. Tyre's fall is a stark reminder that earthly empires, no matter how grand or seemingly impregnable, are ultimately subject to divine judgment, especially when pride and self-sufficiency replace humility and acknowledgment of God. This passage calls humanity to recognize that true security and lasting value are not found in accumulating perishable treasures but in aligning with the eternal purposes of the Creator.

* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trusting in Riches vs. Righteousness") - "He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch."
* [Psalm 49:6-7](/psalm/49-6 "Psalm 49:6-7 - The Futility of Trusting in Wealth") - "They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him."
* [Revelation 18:11-19](/revelation/18-11 "Revelation 18:11-19 - Lament over the Fall of Babylon") - This passage describes the lament of merchants over the fall of "Babylon the Great," a city renowned for its wealth and trade, mirroring the themes and imagery of Tyre's destruction in Ezekiel.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 27:27 offers a timeless and sobering reflection for individuals and nations alike. It challenges us to critically examine where we place our ultimate trust and derive our sense of security. In a world that often equates success with material accumulation, economic prowess, or technological advancement, this verse serves as a powerful counter-narrative, reminding us that all earthly foundations are temporary and subject to decay and divine judgment. The comprehensive ruin of Tyre, encompassing every aspect of its greatness, compels us to consider the fragility of human endeavors and the futility of building our lives on transient riches. It calls for a radical reorientation of values, urging us to cultivate humility, acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty, and invest in what truly lasts—spiritual riches, righteous living, and an eternal relationship with our Creator. This perspective fosters a spirit of contentment and liberates us from the endless pursuit of fleeting worldly achievements, directing our gaze toward the enduring kingdom of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "riches," "merchandise," or "men of war" in my own life or in my society that I (or we) might be tempted to trust in more than God?**
* **How does the comprehensive nature of Tyre's ruin challenge my understanding of security and permanence?**
* **In what ways might pride or self-sufficiency, similar to Tyre's, be subtly influencing my decisions or worldview?**
* **If all earthly achievements are temporary, what am I investing my time, energy, and resources into that will have eternal significance?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Tyre's maritime power to its identity and downfall?**

Answer: Tyre's maritime power was absolutely central to its identity, wealth, and influence. As a Phoenician city, it was renowned for its shipbuilding, navigation, and extensive trade networks that spanned the Mediterranean. Chapter 27 of Ezekiel vividly portrays Tyre as a magnificent ship, built with the finest materials and crewed by skilled mariners from many nations, symbolizing its global reach and economic dominance. Its downfall, therefore, is depicted as a catastrophic shipwreck, where all its "riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots" are swallowed by the sea. This imagery underscores that the very source of its pride and power became the means of its destruction, a powerful testament to the transience of earthly might when not aligned with divine will, as seen in [Ezekiel 27:36](/ezekiel/27-36 "Ezekiel 27:36 - The End of Tyre's Glory").

**How does this prophecy against Tyre relate to other prophecies of judgment in the Bible?**

Answer: The prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 27:27, and indeed chapters 26-28, is highly consistent with other biblical prophecies of judgment against proud and oppressive nations. Like Babylon in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon") or Egypt in [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt"), Tyre is judged for its arrogance, its reliance on its own strength, and often for its opposition to God's people. A common thread is the theme of divine sovereignty: God demonstrates His control over all earthly powers, bringing down the proud and exalting the humble. The detailed enumeration of Tyre's assets and its comprehensive ruin also parallels the lament over "Babylon the Great" in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon the Great"), which describes the collapse of a vast commercial empire and the lament of its merchants, reflecting similar themes of material wealth, global trade, and ultimate divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The catastrophic fall of Tyre, as detailed in Ezekiel 27:27, serves as a powerful Old Testament type, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment against all human systems and empires built on pride, self-sufficiency, and material wealth, apart from God. While Tyre's ruin was a historical event, its spiritual significance points to the broader biblical narrative of a world under the curse of sin and awaiting final redemption or judgment. Christ is the answer to the transient nature of Tyre's "riches" and "merchandise." He teaches us to lay up "treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:20](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")). The "ruin" of Tyre, swallowed by the sea, starkly contrasts with the eternal security offered in Christ. He is the true "Pilot" and "Shipmaster" who guides His people to an unshakeable kingdom ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakeable Kingdom")), not one built on perishable goods or human might. In Christ, the ultimate "man of war" who triumphed over sin and death on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), believers find their true security and lasting inheritance, a spiritual wealth that can never "fall into the midst of the seas" but endures for eternity in His glorious presence ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")).

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

Proverbs 11:4

¶ Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Ezekiel 27:24

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.

Ezekiel 26:12

And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water.

Ezekiel 27:34

In the time [when] thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.

Ezekiel 27:7

Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.

Ezekiel 27:9

The ancients of Gebal and the wise [men] thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.

Ezekiel 26:21

I will make thee a terror, and thou [shalt be] no [more]: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD.