Ezekiel 27:32

KJV

And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, [saying], What [city is] like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?

KJV (with Strong's)

And in their wailing {H5204} they shall take up {H5375} a lamentation {H7015} for thee, and lament {H6969} over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus {H6865}, like the destroyed {H1822} in the midst {H8432} of the sea {H3220}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Wailing, they will raise a lament for you; this will be their lament for you: "'"Who anywhere in the sea has ever been silenced like Tzor?

Berean Standard Bible

As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament for you: ‘Who was ever like Tyre, silenced in the middle of the sea?

American Standard Version

And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, Who is there like Tyre, like her that is brought to silence in the midst of the sea?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:32 captures the profound sorrow and astonishment of those witnessing the catastrophic fall of Tyre, once a preeminent maritime trading power. This verse is part of a prophetic lament, a dirge sung by mariners and nations who had benefited from Tyre's extensive commerce, expressing disbelief that such a magnificent and seemingly impregnable city could be utterly destroyed. It highlights the dramatic shift from unparalleled glory to complete desolation, serving as a stark reminder of the transience of earthly power and the inevitability of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 27:32 is embedded within a lengthy and vivid lamentation over Tyre, spanning the entirety of Ezekiel chapter 27. This chapter follows a series of prophecies against Tyre in chapter 26, which detail its impending destruction. Chapter 27 specifically employs the literary form of a funeral dirge (`qînāh`), a mournful song typically recited over the dead. The chapter personifies Tyre as a magnificent ship, built with the finest materials and manned by skilled sailors from various nations, symbolizing its vast commercial network and perceived invincibility. The lament describes the ship's journey, its immense wealth, and its ultimate shipwreck, culminating in the deep mourning of those who depended on it. Verse 32 specifically captures the climax of this lament, articulating the shock and despair of the onlookers as they witness the city's demise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city, renowned for its strategic location on an island off the coast of modern-day Lebanon. It was a dominant force in Mediterranean trade from the second millennium BCE, establishing colonies and controlling vast commercial routes. Its wealth was legendary, derived from purple dye, cedar timber, skilled craftsmanship, and its role as a central hub for goods from across the known world. The city's island fortress was considered impregnable, having withstood numerous sieges. Culturally, Tyre was known for its maritime prowess, its polytheistic worship (especially of Baal and Melqart), and its pride rooted in its economic success and self-sufficiency. The prophecies against Tyre in Ezekiel (chapters 26-28) likely refer to the Babylonian siege led by Nebuchadnezzar, which lasted for thirteen years, though the ultimate destruction described here may also encompass later events, including Alexander the Great's conquest. The "wailing" of other nations reflects the economic disruption and loss felt by those who traded with Tyre.
* **Key Themes:** The lament over Tyre in Ezekiel 27, and particularly verse 32, powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost among these is **divine judgment and sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute power to humble even the proudest and most prosperous earthly kingdoms. Tyre's fall is presented as a direct consequence of its **pride and arrogance**, a recurring motif where human self-sufficiency leads to destruction, as seen in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride and Destruction"). The lament also underscores the **transience of earthly power and wealth**, serving as a stark warning that all human achievements, no matter how grand, are temporary and subject to God's will. This theme resonates with the broader biblical message about the fleeting nature of worldly glory, as expressed in [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Fading of Human Glory"). Finally, the widespread mourning depicted in the verse highlights the **far-reaching consequences of sin and judgment**, impacting not only the condemned but also those interconnected through commerce and influence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wailing (Hebrew, _nîy'_):** From H5204, a doubtful word, apparently from נָהָה (nahah), meaning lamentation or wailing. This word emphasizes the deep, guttural expression of grief and sorrow, often associated with funeral rites or profound loss. It conveys a sense of intense emotional distress, indicating the severity of Tyre's downfall and the shock it caused.
* **Take up (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, a primitive root meaning to lift, in a great variety of applications. Here, it signifies to "lift up" or "utter" a lamentation, indicating the formal commencement of a dirge. It suggests a deliberate and public act of mourning, underscoring the widespread and organized nature of the grief expressed by the mariners and nations.
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _dummâh'_):** From H1822, from דָּמָה (damah), meaning desolation or concretely, desolate; destroy. This word powerfully describes Tyre's ultimate state. It's not merely damaged or defeated, but completely desolate, left in ruins. The passive form implies that this destruction was wrought upon it, highlighting the overwhelming force that brought about its end.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee":** This clause describes the immediate and profound reaction of those who witness Tyre's demise. The "wailing" (H5204, _nîy'_) signifies a deep, visceral expression of grief, while "take up" (H5375, _nâsâʼ'_) a "lamentation" (H7015, _qîynâh_) indicates the formal, public, and poetic expression of sorrow, characteristic of a funeral dirge. This suggests not just individual sadness but a collective, ritualized mourning for a city that was once a vibrant economic partner.
* **"and lament over thee, [saying]":** This reinforces the act of mourning, using a different Hebrew word for "lament" (H6969, _qûwn_), which implies striking a musical note, chanting, or wailing, often at a funeral. The phrase "saying" introduces the direct speech of the lamenters, giving voice to their shock and grief.
* **"What [city is] like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?":** This rhetorical question forms the core of the lament. It expresses profound disbelief and awe at Tyre's unprecedented destruction. The question "What city is like Tyrus?" highlights its former unparalleled glory and uniqueness. The subsequent phrase "like the destroyed (H1822, _dummâh'_) in the midst (H8432, _tâvek'_) of the sea (H3220, _yâm'_)" emphasizes its complete desolation despite its seemingly impregnable island location. The imagery of being "destroyed in the midst of the sea" vividly portrays its vulnerability and utter ruin, despite its maritime strength and isolation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 27:32 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the magnitude of Tyre's fall. The primary device is **Lamentation** or **Dirge (qînāh)**, which structures the entire chapter as a mournful song. This form evokes deep emotional resonance, guiding the reader through the stages of grief and shock. **Rhetorical Question** ("What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?") is central to this verse, serving to emphasize the unparalleled nature of Tyre's former glory and the shocking uniqueness of its destruction. This question isn't seeking an answer but rather expresses profound disbelief and sorrow, highlighting the stark contrast between Tyre's past splendor and its current desolation. **Personification** is also subtly present, as the city of Tyre is lamented as if it were a fallen individual, allowing for a more intimate and emotional expression of loss. Finally, **Irony** underpins the entire passage: the city that prided itself on its impregnable island location and maritime power is ultimately "destroyed in the midst of the sea," the very element that once defined its strength and security.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:32 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty and the consequences of human pride. The lament over Tyre is not merely an expression of sorrow but a prophetic declaration that no earthly power, however mighty or prosperous, can stand against the will of God. Tyre's fall illustrates that reliance on wealth, strategic advantage, or human ingenuity ultimately leads to desolation when it displaces trust in the Creator. This passage underscores God's justice, demonstrating that He holds all nations accountable for their actions, particularly their arrogance and exploitation. The widespread mourning for Tyre, though rooted in economic loss for the lamenters, implicitly acknowledges the vast reach of God's judgment across the global stage of that era.

* [Isaiah 23:1-18](/isaiah/23-1 "Isaiah 23:1-18 - Prophecy against Tyre")
* [Zechariah 9:3-4](/zechariah/9-3 "Zechariah 9:3-4 - Prophecy against Tyre and Sidon")
* [Revelation 18:9-19](/rev/18-9 "Revelation 18:9-19 - Lament over Fallen Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 27:32 offers a timeless and sobering reflection for individuals and societies alike. It challenges us to critically examine the foundations upon which we build our lives and our sense of security. Are we placing our ultimate trust in fleeting earthly achievements, material wealth, professional success, or even our perceived invincibility, much like Tyre relied on its strategic location and vast commerce? The lament over Tyre reminds us that all human endeavors, no matter how grand or seemingly secure, are ultimately temporary and subject to the sovereign will of God. True and lasting security is found not in accumulating worldly treasures or power, but in humble reliance on the Almighty and aligning our lives with His eternal purposes. This verse calls us to cultivate humility, to guard against the insidious allure of pride and self-sufficiency, and to recognize that genuine prosperity is measured not by what we possess, but by our relationship with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Tyre-like" aspects of my life – whether possessions, achievements, or perceived strengths – might I be placing undue trust in, rather than in God?**
* **How does the swift and complete fall of Tyre challenge my assumptions about security and permanence in a constantly changing world?**
* **In what ways might I, like the lamenting mariners, mourn the loss of worldly comforts or systems more than I mourn my own spiritual complacency or the brokenness of the world?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Tyre's destruction for the ancient world?**

Answer: Tyre's destruction was highly significant because it was one of the most powerful and wealthy maritime cities of its time, considered virtually impregnable due to its island location. Its fall, prophesied by Ezekiel, demonstrated God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, even those seemingly beyond reach. It served as a stark warning to other proud nations and profoundly disrupted the vast trade networks of the ancient Mediterranean, impacting economies from Egypt to Tarshish. The lament in [Ezekiel 27](/ezekiel/27 "Ezekiel 27 - The Lament for Tyre") vividly portrays this global impact.

**Does this lament suggest that God delights in destruction?**

Answer: No, the lament does not suggest God delights in destruction. Rather, it highlights God's justice and holiness. The destruction of Tyre, as with other nations in prophetic literature, is presented as a consequence of its pride, injustice, and idolatry. God's judgment is a necessary act to uphold His righteousness and to demonstrate His ultimate authority over human kingdoms that defy Him. While the outcome is devastating, the focus is on the vindication of God's character and the fulfillment of His word, not on a sadistic pleasure in suffering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 27:32 directly laments the fall of a worldly kingdom, its underlying theological principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The destruction of Tyre, a city defined by its earthly wealth and pride, foreshadows the ultimate judgment awaiting all systems and individuals that reject God's sovereignty and rely on their own strength. Just as Tyre's fall revealed the transience of earthly power, Christ's kingdom, inaugurated through His death and resurrection, stands as the eternal, unshakable reality that transcends all temporal empires. The lament for Tyre's destruction, though a dirge for a physical city, points to the spiritual desolation that comes from living apart from God, a condition from which Christ offers salvation. He is the true "rock" upon whom an eternal kingdom is built, unlike Tyre, which was a rock but ultimately fell. The mourning for Tyre's economic collapse also subtly prefigures the spiritual lament over those who choose worldly gain over eternal life, a theme echoed in [Matthew 16:26](/matthew/16-26 "Matthew 16:26 - What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"). Ultimately, Christ's triumph over sin and death, and His future return to establish His righteous reign, ensures that all earthly powers, whether proud or humble, will ultimately bow before Him, as prophesied in [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every knee will bow"). The "destroyed in the midst of the sea" finds its ultimate contrast in the eternal city, the New Jerusalem, where there is no more sea, and God dwells with His people, as described in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth").

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

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!

Ezekiel 27:2

Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;

Revelation 18:18

And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city!

Lamentations 1:12

¶ [Is it] nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger.

Lamentations 2:13

What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach [is] great like the sea: who can heal thee?

Ezekiel 27:26

¶ Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.

Ezekiel 26:4

And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.