Ezekiel 27:31

KJV

And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart [and] bitter wailing.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall make themselves utterly {H7144} bald {H7139} for thee, and gird {H2296} them with sackcloth {H8242}, and they shall weep {H1058} for thee with bitterness {H4751} of heart {H5315} and bitter {H4751} wailing {H4553}.

Complete Jewish Bible

shaving their heads bald for you, wrapping themselves in sackcloth, with heartfelt bitterness weeping for you in bitter lamentation.

Berean Standard Bible

They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning.

American Standard Version

and they shall make themselves bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee in bitterness of soul with bitter mourning.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:31 powerfully depicts the profound and visceral grief of those who witness the catastrophic downfall of Tyre, a once-unrivaled maritime empire. The described actions—making themselves utterly bald, girding with sackcloth, and weeping with intense bitterness—are ancient Near Eastern expressions of extreme sorrow, humiliation, and utter desolation. This climactic expression of lament within Ezekiel's broader prophetic dirge underscores the devastating impact of Tyre's collapse on its beneficiaries and the wider world, highlighting the transient nature of all earthly power, wealth, and human achievement when confronted by divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 27 is a meticulously crafted prophetic lament, or dirge, pronounced over the city of Tyre. The chapter personifies Tyre as a magnificent, perfectly built ship, sailing the seas and accumulating immense wealth through an extensive and diverse global trade network. The preceding verses [Ezekiel 27:1-29](/ezekiel/27-1-29 "Ezekiel 27:1-29 - Tyre's Splendor and Commerce") meticulously detail Tyre's unparalleled splendor, its vast commercial reach, the numerous nations that contributed to its prosperity, and the intricate details of its construction and cargo. This elaborate, almost celebratory, description of Tyre's glory serves to heighten the dramatic impact of its prophesied destruction, building a stark contrast between its former grandeur and its impending ruin. Verses 30-36 then shift dramatically to describe the intense, horrified reaction of kings, merchants, and island dwellers who are utterly appalled by Tyre's sudden demise, realizing the profound economic and political void left by its fall. [Ezekiel 27:31](/ezekiel/27-31 "Ezekiel 27:31 - The Lament for Tyre") specifically captures the visceral, public display of grief by those most intimately connected to Tyre's prosperity, emphasizing the depth of their despair as they mourn the loss of their primary source of wealth and security.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a preeminent Phoenician city-state, renowned for its maritime trade and immense wealth from roughly the 10th to the 6th centuries BCE. Strategically located on the Mediterranean coast (and later on an island), it controlled vast trade routes, importing and exporting goods across the ancient world, making it a symbol of human achievement, self-sufficiency, and economic prowess. The cultural practices described in [Ezekiel 27:31](/ezekiel/27-31 "Ezekiel 27:31 - Expressions of Mourning")—making oneself bald, girding with sackcloth, and bitter wailing—were deeply ingrained and universally recognized expressions of extreme mourning, humiliation, and national calamity in the ancient Near East. Shaving the head (or pulling out hair) was a radical act signifying utter desolation, a public display of grief, and a stripping away of dignity, often forbidden for priests but practiced by others in times of extreme distress, as seen in [Micah 1:16](/micah/1-16 "Micah 1:16 - Shaving for Mourning"). Sackcloth, a coarse, dark, and uncomfortable fabric, was worn close to the skin as a sign of deep sorrow, repentance, or distress, indicating humility and a stripping away of comfort, as exemplified by Nineveh's repentance in [Jonah 3:5-6](/jonah/3-5-6 "Jonah 3:5-6 - Nineveh's Repentance"). The combination of these acts underscores the complete and overwhelming nature of the sorrow experienced by those dependent on Tyre's prosperity.
* **Key Themes:** The lament over Tyre in Ezekiel 27, culminating in the intense mourning of verse 31, contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader prophetic literature. First, it powerfully illustrates the **transience of earthly power and wealth**. Tyre's self-proclaimed invincibility and reliance on its material riches are exposed as fleeting when confronted by divine judgment, a theme echoed in other prophetic judgments against proud nations, such as [Isaiah 23:9](/isaiah/23-9 "Isaiah 23:9 - The Lord's Purpose for Tyre"). Second, it highlights the **consequences of pride and materialism**. Tyre's downfall serves as a stark warning against excessive arrogance, self-sufficiency, and the idolatry of wealth, demonstrating that reliance on anything other than God ultimately leads to ruin. This resonates with the recurring biblical emphasis on humility before God, as articulated in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride and Destruction"). Third, the profound mourning depicted underscores the severity and inevitability of **divine judgment**. The extreme reaction of the onlookers is not merely an expression of economic loss but also a recognition of the overwhelming power of God's retribution against a city that had become an embodiment of worldly pride and rebellion, demonstrating that God's justice will ultimately prevail over all human defiance, as seen in the broader context of God's judgments against the nations in [Ezekiel 25-32](/ezekiel/25-32 "Ezekiel 25-32 - Oracles Against Foreign Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **utterly bald (Hebrew, _qorchâh'_):** From H7144, meaning "baldness." This term, often used idiomatically to denote an extreme degree, emphasizes the complete and radical nature of the act of depilation. Shaving one's head was a public and often ritualistic sign of intense grief, humiliation, or national calamity in the ancient Near East, signifying utter desolation and a stripping away of dignity and beauty. It represents a profound state of mourning that leaves no room for personal adornment or pride.
* **sackcloth (Hebrew, _saq'_):** From H8242, referring to a coarse, loose cloth or sacking. This rough, uncomfortable fabric was worn as a garment of mourning, repentance, or deep distress. Its symbolic significance lay in its discomfort, plainness, and dark color, representing humility, sorrow, and a turning away from worldly comforts in times of great affliction. Donning sackcloth was a public declaration of one's profound internal anguish and a visible sign of lament.
* **bitterness (Hebrew, _mar'_):** From H4751, meaning "bitter," whether literally or figuratively. This word is repeated in the verse ("bitterness of heart" and "bitter wailing"), serving to intensify the imagery of profound and agonizing sorrow. It denotes a deep, soul-wrenching grief that is not superficial but penetrates to the core of one's being, indicative of intense emotional pain, despair, and a sense of profound loss that leaves a lasting, unpleasant taste.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee":** This clause describes a radical, visible act of mourning. The phrase "utterly bald" (from the Hebrew _qorchâh'_) signifies complete depilation, an extreme and public display of grief and humiliation. It implies a stripping away of personal dignity and beauty, reflecting the utter desolation and ruin that has befallen Tyre. The act is performed "for thee," meaning on account of Tyre's destruction, indicating the deep personal impact and shared calamity experienced by those who lament its fall.
* **"and gird them with sackcloth":** Following the act of depilation, the mourners are described as putting on sackcloth. This coarse, uncomfortable fabric was a universally recognized symbol of mourning, repentance, and deep distress in the ancient world. Girding oneself with it meant donning it as a primary garment, further emphasizing a public and physical manifestation of profound sorrow and humility in the face of overwhelming calamity, signifying a complete abandonment of comfort and status.
* **"and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart [and] bitter wailing":** This final clause describes the emotional and vocal expression of grief. The repetition of "bitter" (Hebrew _mar'_) underscores the intensity and agonizing nature of their sorrow. "Bitterness of heart" speaks to the deep internal anguish, a soul-wrenching pain that permeates their entire being, indicating a profound and pervasive sense of despair. "Bitter wailing" refers to the loud, mournful cries and lamentations that accompany such profound grief, indicating a public and unrestrained outpouring of despair over Tyre's destruction, a sound that echoes the depth of their internal suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 27:31 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of despair and the magnitude of Tyre's fall. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "utterly bald" and "sackcloth" serving as powerful visual symbols of extreme mourning, humiliation, and desolation in the ancient Near East. These actions are not merely descriptive but are rich with cultural meaning, immediately communicating the profound nature of the calamity and the complete stripping away of dignity and comfort. The repetition of the word "bitter" in "bitterness of heart" and "bitter wailing" functions as **Intensification** and a form of **Repetition**, amplifying the agonizing quality of the grief. This deliberate repetition ensures the reader grasps the profound, soul-wrenching nature of the sorrow, emphasizing that this is not a superficial sadness but a deep, pervasive anguish. Furthermore, the entire chapter, including this verse, participates in an extended **Metaphor** or **Allegory**, where Tyre is personified as a magnificent ship that ultimately founders, and its destruction is depicted as a catastrophic shipwreck. This sustained metaphor makes the lament over its fall all the more vivid and tragic, allowing the reader to visualize the complete collapse of a once-unbeatable entity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:31, with its stark depiction of overwhelming grief, serves as a powerful theological statement about the impermanence of worldly power and the ultimate sovereignty of God. The lament for Tyre, a city that epitomized human achievement, immense wealth, and self-sufficiency, underscores the biblical truth that all earthly kingdoms and treasures are fleeting and ultimately subject to divine judgment. God's judgment, as demonstrated through Tyre's fall, is a profound reminder that pride, arrogance, and reliance on material possessions or human ingenuity ultimately lead to ruin. This passage challenges humanity to consider where true security lies and to recognize that true and lasting prosperity is found not in accumulating worldly riches but in a right relationship with the divine Creator. The anguish of those who lost their "Tyre" highlights the tragic consequences of misplaced trust in created things rather than the unshakeable Creator.

* [Isaiah 23:9](/isaiah/23-9 "The Lord's Purpose for Tyre")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 27:31 offers a timeless and sobering reflection for contemporary audiences navigating a world often driven by the relentless pursuit of wealth, status, and material security. The fall of Tyre serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of all earthly endeavors and the inherent vulnerability of placing our ultimate trust in anything other than God. This verse compels us to examine the "Tyres" in our own lives—those sources of security, pride, or comfort that, while seemingly robust, are ultimately fleeting and susceptible to decay. The profound anguish of the mourners challenges us to consider what our reaction would be if these earthly securities were suddenly stripped away. It encourages a re-evaluation of our priorities, prompting us to invest in what holds eternal value rather than what is susceptible to destruction. Ultimately, this passage calls for a posture of humility before God, recognizing that true and lasting security is found only in Him, and that a life lived apart from His wisdom, even if outwardly prosperous, can lead to a spiritual and existential "bitterness of heart" when its foundations inevitably crumble.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "Tyres" in my life—the sources of security, identity, or pride that might be fleeting or misplaced?**
* **How do I typically respond when my earthly securities, comforts, or plans are threatened or lost?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to place my ultimate trust in material possessions, career achievements, or human relationships rather than in God alone?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart that prioritizes eternal treasures and God's kingdom over temporal ones?**

### FAQ
**Why is Tyre's destruction described in such vivid and detailed terms in Ezekiel 27?**

Answer: The vivid and detailed description of Tyre's destruction, particularly the extreme mourning in [Ezekiel 27:31](/ezekiel/27-31 "Ezekiel 27:31 - The Lament for Tyre"), serves multiple purposes. First, it emphasizes the immense wealth, power, and global influence Tyre had attained, making its downfall all the more shocking and impactful. By meticulously detailing its splendor and then its ruin, God demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over even the most formidable human empires. Second, it acts as a powerful object lesson and warning to other nations, including Israel, about the dangers of pride, self-sufficiency, and the idolatry of wealth. The intensity of the lament highlights the severity of divine judgment against sin. Finally, it underscores the prophetic message that no earthly kingdom, no matter how strong or prosperous, can stand against the will of God, ensuring that His justice and power are clearly seen.

**What is the significance of "utterly bald" and "sackcloth" as expressions of mourning in ancient cultures?**

Answer: In the ancient Near East, making oneself "utterly bald" (shaving the head or pulling out hair) and wearing "sackcloth" were deeply symbolic and universally recognized expressions of extreme grief, humiliation, and desolation. Shaving the head was a radical, public act that signified utter ruin and a stripping away of dignity and beauty, often associated with national calamity or profound personal loss, as seen in [Amos 8:10](/amos/8-10 "Amos 8:10 - Mourning and Desolation"). Sackcloth, a coarse, dark, and uncomfortable fabric, was worn close to the skin as a visible sign of deep sorrow, repentance, or distress. It represented humility, a renunciation of comfort, and a profound sense of lamentation, as exemplified by the priests in [Joel 1:13](/joel/1-13 "Joel 1:13 - Priests Gird with Sackcloth"). Together, these actions conveyed a complete and overwhelming sense of despair, signifying that the mourners had been utterly undone by the calamity and were publicly expressing their profound sorrow and humiliation.

**Does God delight in the destruction depicted in Ezekiel 27:31?**

Answer: No, the Bible consistently teaches that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires their repentance and life, as clearly stated in [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for Repentance"). The destruction of Tyre, and the subsequent lament, is not presented as an act of arbitrary cruelty but as a necessary consequence of the city's pervasive pride, idolatry, and unrighteousness. God's judgment is righteous and just, serving to uphold His holiness, demonstrate His sovereignty over all nations, and ultimately bring about a recognition of His power. The intense mourning depicted in [Ezekiel 27:31](/ezekiel/27-31 "Ezekiel 27:31 - The Lament for Tyre") highlights the severity of sin's consequences and the profound impact of God's justice, which, while painful, is always rooted in His perfect character and ultimately aims to call humanity to righteousness and humility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lament over Tyre in [Ezekiel 27:31](/ezekiel/27-31 "Ezekiel 27:31 - The Lament for Tyre"), with its raw depiction of human anguish over lost earthly treasures, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Tyre's fall serves as a powerful illustration of the transient nature of all worldly kingdoms and the futility of placing ultimate trust in material wealth or human achievement. In stark contrast to the fleeting prosperity of Tyre, Christ offers an eternal and unshakable kingdom that cannot be destroyed or taken away, as affirmed in [Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakable Kingdom"). The "bitterness of heart" and "bitter wailing" for Tyre's destruction foreshadow the ultimate sorrow that humanity should experience not over lost possessions, but over sin—a godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance and salvation, as described in [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leads to Repentance"). Jesus himself taught against laying up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal, urging His followers instead to lay up treasures in heaven, where they are eternally secure ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")). The grief over Tyre's demise, rooted in a loss of economic security and worldly prestige, stands in stark contrast to the true and lasting security found in Christ, who promises to be our enduring treasure and never to leave or forsake us ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You")). Ultimately, while the mourners of Tyre grieved a fallen city and a lost way of life, the Christian hope points to a new heaven and a new earth where God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")).

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

Isaiah 22:12

And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

Ezekiel 7:18

They shall also gird [themselves] with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame [shall be] upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.

Isaiah 16:9

Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

Isaiah 15:2

He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads [shall be] baldness, [and] every beard cut off.

Isaiah 22:4

Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.

Amos 8:10

And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only [son], and the end thereof as a bitter day.

Micah 1:16

Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.