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Commentary on Ezekiel 27 verses 26–36
We have seen Tyre flourishing; here we have Tyre falling, and great is the fall of it, so much the greater for its having made such a figure in the world. Note, The most mighty and magnificent kingdoms and states, sooner or later, have their day to come down. They have their period; and, when they are in their zenith, they will begin to decline. But the destruction of Tyre was sudden. Her sun went down at noon. And all her wealth and grandeur, pomp and power, did but aggravate her ruin, and make it the more grievous to herself and astonishing to all about her. Now observe here, 1. How the ruin of Tyrus will be brought about, Eze 27:26. She is as a great ship richly laden, that is split or sunk by the indiscretion of her steersmen: Thy rowers have themselves brought thee into great and dangerous waters; the governors of the city, and those that had the management of their public affairs, by some mismanagement or other involved them in that war with the Chaldeans which was the ruin of their state. By their insolence, by some affront given to the Chaldeans or some attempt made upon them, in confidence of their own ability to contend with them, they provoked Nebuchadnezzar to make a descent upon them, and, by their obstinacy in standing it out to the last, enraged him to such a degree that he determined on the ruin of their state, and, like an east wind, broke them in the midst of the seas. Note, It is ill with a people when those that sit at the stern, instead of putting them into the harbour, run them aground. 2. How great and general the ruin will be. All her wealth shall be buried with her, her riches, her fairs, and her merchandise (Eze 27:27); all that had any dependence upon her, and dealings with her, in trade, in war, in conversation, shall ball with her into the midst of the seas, in the day of her ruin. Note, Those who make creatures their confidence, place their happiness in their interest in them and rest their hopes upon them, will of course fall with them; happy therefore are those that have the God of Jacob for their help, and whose hope is in the Lord their God, who lives for ever. 3. What sad lamentation would be made for the destruction of Tyre. The pilots, her princes and governors, when they see how wretchedly they have mismanaged and how much they have contributed to their own ruin, shall cry out so loud as to make even the suburbs shake (Eze 27:28), such a vexation shall it be to them to reflect upon their own bad conduct. The inferior officers, that were as the mariners of the state, shall be forced to come down from their respective posts (Eze 27:29), and they shall cry out against thee, as having deceived them, in not proving so well able to hold out as they thought thou hadst been; they shall cry bitterly for the common ruin, and their own share in it. They shall use all the most solemn expressions of grief; they shall cast dust on their heads, in indignation against themselves, shall wallow themselves in ashes, as having bid a final farewell to all ease and pleasure; they shall make themselves bald (Eze 27:31), with tearing their hair; and, according to the custom of great mourners, those shall gird themselves with sackcloth who used to wear find linen, and, instead of merry songs, they shall weep with bitterness of heart. Note, Losses and crosses are very grievous, and hard to be borne, to those that have long been wallowing in pleasure and sleeping in carnal security. 4. How Tyre should be upbraided with her former honour and prosperity (Eze 27:32, Eze 27:33); she that was Tyrus the renowned shall now be called Tyrus the destroyed in the midst of the sea. "What city is like Tyre? Did ever any city come down from such a height of prosperity to such a depth of adversity? Time was when thy wares, those of thy own making and those that passed through thy hands, went forth out of the seas, and were exported to all parts of the world; then thou filledst many people, and didst enrich the kings of the earth and their kingdoms." The Tyrians, though they bore such a sway in trade, were yet, it seems, fair merchants, and let their neighbours not only live, but thrive by them. All that dealt with them were gainers; they did not cheat or oppress the people, but did enrich them with the multitude of their merchandise. "But now those that used to be enriched by thee shall be ruined with thee" (as is usual in trade); "when thou shalt be broken, and all thou hast is seized on, all thy company shall fall too," Eze 27:34. There is an end of Tyre, that made such a noise and bustle in the world. This great blaze goes out in a snuff. 5. How the fall of Tyre should be matter of terror to some and laughter to others, according as they were differently interested and affected. Some shall be sorely afraid, and shall be troubled (Eze 27:35), concluding it will be their own turn to fall next. Others shall hiss at her (Eze 27:36), shall ridicule her pride, and vanity, and bad management, and think her ruin just. She triumphed in Jerusalem's fall, and there are those that will triumph in hers. When God casts his judgments on the sinner men also shall clap their hands at him and shall hiss him out of his place, Job 27:22, Job 27:23. Is this the city which men called the perfection of beauty?
(Verse 35, 36, and following) And I will bring you into a desert of peoples, and there I will judge you face to face. Just as I contended with your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, says the Lord. And I will subject you to my scepter, and I will bring you into the bonds of the covenant, and I will choose from among you the transgressors and the wicked: from their place of residence I will bring them out, and they will not enter the land of Israel, and you will know that I am the Lord. Thus says the Lord: I will do for you who are in Babylon, and now serve idols, what I did for your ancestors in Egypt. I will lead you into the desert of the peoples, and there I will judge you face to face, just as I contended with them in judgment when they came out of Egypt. And after I have judged you, I will subject you to my scepter and rule, and I will make a covenant with you and bring you into your land with the bonds of love, so that bound by my love, you will never be able to depart from me. But I will choose from among you the transgressors and the wicked, who persist in the hardness of their hearts in evil deeds, not for possession, but for rejection. And I will indeed bring them out of the land of their dwelling, so that when they are brought out, they will not enter the land of Israel; but they will perish in various regions. And by the distinction between good and evil, you shall know that I am the Lord, who judges all things. The rest of the discourse hastens, and we briefly go through each point, in order to provide only the meaning to the readers.
(Verse 27, 29 onwards) Therefore speak to the house of Israel, son of man, and tell them: Thus says the Lord God: Moreover, your fathers have blasphemed against me and have treated me with contempt, even as they spurned me. And I brought them into the land that I had lifted my hand to give them ((Vulgate adds: that land)): they saw every high hill and every leafy tree, and there they offered their sacrifices and presented there the irritation of their offerings, and they placed there the fragrance of their sweetness, and they poured out their ((Vulgate is silent on this)) libations there. And I said to them, 'What is the high place to which you are going?' And its name was called the High Place until this day. Therefore speak to the house of Israel, son of man, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: As for your fathers, they have provoked Me to anger by their iniquities, by the fact that they have fallen away from Me. So I brought them into the land that I had lifted My hand in an oath to give them.' They saw every high hill and every leafy tree, and there they offered their sacrifices. They also presented there the provocation of their gifts, and they set there their pleasing aroma, and they poured out there their drink offerings. And I said to them: What is abbana, because you enter there? And they called its name abbana until this day. I wanted, he said, to scatter them in the wilderness, and to give them not good precepts, so that they would sacrifice to idols what they should have offered to me, and consecrate all their first-fruits to them by fire, so that I might kill them and destroy them. But when he says, I wanted, he shows that he did not do what he wanted. And that which follows: 'And they shall know that I am the Lord,' is not found in the Septuagint. For it did not seem fitting to them to know after their destruction that he himself is the Lord. But you, son of man, speak again to them, that is, to the elders of the house of Israel, who have come to inquire of you: Your fathers, from whom you have descended, have also blasphemed against me and held me in contempt; after I brought them into the land which I had given them to possess, they turned against me to provoke me. For when they saw every high hill and leafy tree, they would sacrifice on the mountains and in the groves and thickets, and offer victims to the idols, and pour out libations. And when I saw this, I said to them: What is this, Bama? for it is called high: or why do you enter into such a place which you have chosen for yourselves in all the hills, so that even today these places are called Bamoth, and the ancient error retains its original name? Regarding Bama, which we translate as excelsum, there is an error in the Septuagint edition, where it is written as ἀββανὰ, which does not resonate in the Hebrew language. Bama can mean 'in which' if the two syllables are divided into two words, but in the present context, that sense does not fit. However, wherever it is written in the Books of Kings and Chronicles: 'The people still sacrificed and offered incense on the high places,' Bama in the singular and Bamoth in the plural mean 'high places.'
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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, 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. 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. 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. 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 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, 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. 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. 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). 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). 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).