Ezekiel 27:30

KJV

And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:

KJV (with Strong's)

And shall cause their voice {H6963} to be heard {H8085} against thee, and shall cry {H2199} bitterly {H4751}, and shall cast up {H5927} dust {H6083} upon their heads {H7218}, they shall wallow {H6428} themselves in the ashes {H665}:

Complete Jewish Bible

mourning aloud at your fate, crying bitterly, throwing dust on their heads, rolling in the ashes,

Berean Standard Bible

They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes.

American Standard Version

and shall cause their voice to be heard over thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads; they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:30 powerfully illustrates the profound despair and public mourning that would accompany the catastrophic fall of Tyre, a once-mighty maritime empire. This verse captures the vivid, visceral reactions of those who had benefited from Tyre's extensive trade network, depicting their bitter lamentation, self-abasement with dust, and wallowing in ashes as ancient expressions of utter devastation and the irreversible loss of their commercial lifeblood. It serves as a stark prophetic image of the desolation that befalls those whose security and identity are rooted in transient earthly wealth and power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 27 is a detailed lamentation, or dirge, for Tyre, following a series of prophecies against the city in chapter 26. Chapter 27 personifies Tyre as a magnificent merchant ship, meticulously built and manned by various nations, symbolizing its vast commercial empire and global reach. The chapter systematically describes Tyre's components—its materials, sailors, merchants, and trading partners—only to culminate in its violent shipwreck and utter destruction. Verse 30 specifically depicts the immediate aftermath of this "shipwreck," focusing on the reactions of the kings, merchants, and mariners who witnessed and were impacted by Tyre's demise, thereby concluding the vivid imagery of its fall from glory.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city-state, renowned for its maritime trade, wealth, and seemingly impregnable island fortress. At the time of Ezekiel's prophecy (early 6th century BCE), Tyre was a dominant economic power in the ancient Near East, trading extensively across the Mediterranean. The actions described in verse 30—crying bitterly, casting dust on heads, and wallowing in ashes—were deeply ingrained and widely understood mourning customs in the ancient world. These were not merely symbolic gestures but physical expressions of profound grief, humiliation, despair, and often, repentance. Such displays are documented in various biblical texts and extra-biblical sources, indicating a universal language of lament for catastrophic loss, whether personal or communal.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre and the broader book. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's sovereign power over nations and His righteous judgment against pride, idolatry, and reliance on worldly wealth, as seen in the broader prophecies against Tyre in [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre"). The lament also highlights the **Fleeting Nature of Earthly Glory and Wealth**, serving as a potent reminder that even the most powerful and prosperous human endeavors are ephemeral and subject to God's ultimate decree, echoing warnings found in passages like [Proverbs 23:5](/proverbs/23-5 "Proverbs 23:5 - The Fleeting Nature of Riches"). Finally, the vivid depiction of **Profound Grief and Despair** among Tyre's dependents emphasizes the devastating consequences of placing ultimate trust in transient material security rather than in the eternal God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cry (Hebrew, _zâʻaq'_):** H2199, a primitive root meaning "to shriek (from anguish or danger)." In this context, it signifies a loud, public, and desperate outcry of lamentation, indicative of deep distress and hopelessness. It's not just a quiet sorrow but an audible expression of profound loss.
* **bitterly (Hebrew, _mar'_):** H4751, derived from a root meaning "to be bitter." This adverb intensifies the nature of the crying, indicating that the lamentation is not merely loud but filled with intense sorrow, grief, and perhaps even a sense of injustice or despair over the irreversible calamity.
* **dust (Hebrew, _ʻâphâr'_):** H6083, referring to fine, powdered earth. In ancient mourning rituals, casting dust upon one's head symbolized deep humility, defilement, self-abasement, and utter despair. It was a physical manifestation of being brought low, reduced to nothing, and acknowledging the overwhelming nature of the tragedy.
* **wallow (Hebrew, _pâlash'_):** H6428, a primitive root meaning "to roll (in dust)." This action, often accompanied by ashes or sackcloth, denotes an extreme state of mourning, humiliation, and desolation. It's a surrender to grief, a public display of being completely overwhelmed by sorrow and loss.
* **ashes (Hebrew, _ʼêpher'_):** H665, the residue of burnt material. Like dust, ashes were a common symbol of mourning, penitence, and profound sorrow in the ancient world. Wallowing in ashes signified a complete abasement, a recognition of ruin, and a desperate plea or expression of grief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee":** This clause indicates a public and audible expression of lament. The "voice" (H6963, _qôwl_) here implies a loud sound, a wailing or outcry, directed "against thee" (Tyre), signifying not just mourning for the city but perhaps also a desperate cry of accusation or protest against the fate that has befallen it and, by extension, them.
* **"and shall cry bitterly":** This intensifies the previous phrase, specifying the nature of the outcry. The crying (H2199, _zâʻaq_) is not just loud but filled with profound bitterness (H4751, _mar_), indicating deep anguish, sorrow, and despair over the magnitude of Tyre's destruction and its devastating impact on their own livelihoods.
* **"and shall cast up dust upon their heads":** This describes a specific, ancient mourning ritual. The act of "casting up" (H5927, _ʻâlâh_, to ascend/lift) "dust" (H6083, _ʻâphâr_) "upon their heads" (H7218, _rôʼsh_) symbolizes deep humiliation, defilement, and utter despair. It's a physical expression of being brought low, reduced to nothing, and acknowledging the overwhelming nature of the tragedy.
* **"they shall wallow themselves in the ashes":** This final clause depicts another powerful mourning custom. To "wallow" (H6428, _pâlash_) "in the ashes" (H665, _ʼêpher_) signifies an extreme state of grief, self-abasement, and desolation. It represents a complete surrender to sorrow, a public display of being utterly overwhelmed by loss, and a recognition of ruin.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 27:30 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of despair. **Imagery** is paramount, painting a vivid picture of public lament through specific, culturally recognizable actions: the loud, bitter cries, the casting of dust, and the wallowing in ashes. These are not abstract concepts but concrete, physical manifestations of grief that allow the audience to viscerally experience the sorrow. The passage also uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme nature of the mourning; while these were real customs, their collective and intense depiction here underscores the unparalleled catastrophe of Tyre's fall. Furthermore, the verse functions as part of a larger **Lamentation** or dirge, a poetic form designed to express profound sorrow and mourning, which lends a somber, elegiac tone to the entire chapter. The **Repetition** of actions associated with mourning (crying, dust, ashes) reinforces the pervasive and overwhelming nature of the despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:30 serves as a powerful theological statement on the transient nature of worldly power and wealth when divorced from divine favor. It underscores God's sovereignty over nations, demonstrating that even the most formidable human empires are ultimately subject to His judgment. The despair of Tyre's trading partners highlights the futility of placing ultimate trust in material prosperity and human achievement. This prophetic lament is a stark reminder that true security and lasting hope are found not in fleeting earthly resources but in the eternal God, whose kingdom is unshakeable. It warns against the dangers of pride and self-sufficiency, which inevitably lead to downfall and desolation.

* [Isaiah 23:14](/isaiah/23-14 "Isaiah 23:14 - Lament for Tyre")
* [Revelation 18:11](/revelation/18-11 "Revelation 18:11 - Merchants Mourn Babylon's Fall")
* [Job 2:12](/job/2-12 "Job 2:12 - Job's Friends Mourn")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 27:30 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, challenging our innate tendency to seek security and identity in worldly achievements, material wealth, or human systems. The bitter lament and abject despair of Tyre's commercial partners serve as a potent warning: when our hope is anchored in anything other than God, its inevitable collapse will lead to profound sorrow and desolation. This verse calls us to examine where our ultimate trust lies. Are we building our lives on foundations that can be swept away by economic downturns, political shifts, or personal losses? Or are we investing in the eternal kingdom of God, which alone offers unshakable hope and security? The passage affirms God's justice and His ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations, encouraging us to align our priorities with His divine plan and to find our true prosperity in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, or my society, place ultimate trust in transient earthly resources or achievements, similar to Tyre's reliance on its commercial empire?**
* **How does the vivid imagery of bitter crying, dust, and ashes challenge my understanding of true security and lasting joy?**
* **What practical steps can I take to shift my reliance from worldly systems to a deeper, more consistent trust in God's sovereignty and provision?**

### FAQ
**Why were Tyre's trading partners so devastated by its fall?**

Answer: Tyre was not just a city; it was the central hub of a vast, intricate global trade network. Its extensive maritime commerce brought immense wealth and prosperity to countless merchants, mariners, and nations who traded with it. When Tyre fell, it wasn't merely the destruction of a city but the collapse of an entire economic ecosystem. The devastation described in Ezekiel 27:30 reflects the catastrophic loss of their livelihoods, their source of wealth, and their commercial identity, leaving them with profound despair and no immediate alternative for their prosperity. This is why the lament is so widespread and bitter, as their entire economic world had crumbled. The imagery here foreshadows the mourning of merchants over the fall of "Babylon the Great" in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon the Great"), highlighting a recurring biblical theme of the ultimate collapse of worldly economic systems.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 27:30 directly describes the lament over Tyre's destruction, its imagery of profound sorrow and the collapse of a worldly kingdom finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader biblical narrative of God's judgment on sin and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The despair of those who mourn Tyre's fall foreshadows the ultimate judgment on all human systems built apart from God, culminating in the final destruction of "Babylon the Great" in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon the Great"), where kings and merchants likewise weep and mourn over its desolation. In contrast to the fleeting nature of Tyre's wealth, Christ offers an unshakable kingdom and an eternal inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). The bitter crying and wallowing in ashes represent the futility of placing hope in earthly power; Jesus, however, invites those who mourn to find comfort in Him ([Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn")). His sacrifice on the cross, where He bore the ultimate judgment for sin, provides the only true escape from the despair of a world under judgment, offering instead a new creation and an eternal city where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")). Thus, the lament over Tyre points to the desperate need for the redemptive work of Christ, who alone offers lasting hope and deliverance from the consequences of a world built on transient foundations.

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

Jeremiah 6:26

O daughter of my people, gird [thee] with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, [as for] an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.

Lamentations 2:10

¶ The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, [and] keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.

2 Samuel 1:2

It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and [so] it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

Isaiah 23:1

¶ The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

Isaiah 23:6

Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.

Ezekiel 26:17

And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, [that wast] inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror [to be] on all that haunt it!

1 Samuel 4:12

¶ And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.