Ezekiel 27:32

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?

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}?

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?

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?

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

Ezekiel 27:32 KJV Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 27:32 is part of a lengthy and detailed lamentation (a funeral dirge) concerning the great Phoenician city of Tyre. Chapters 26-28 of Ezekiel are dedicated to prophecies against Tyre, a powerful and wealthy maritime trading empire known for its strategic island location and extensive commercial network. This particular verse captures the deep sorrow and astonishment of other nations and mariners as they witness the complete destruction of Tyre, once thought to be impregnable. The lament highlights Tyre's unparalleled former glory and its tragic, irreversible downfall, serving as a powerful testament to God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations, even the most formidable.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The lament underscores God's absolute power and authority to bring down even the proudest and most prosperous earthly kingdoms. Tyre's destruction is presented as a direct consequence of its pride and self-sufficiency, a common theme in prophetic literature.
  • Pride and Fall: The city's immense wealth and strategic position had fostered a sense of invincibility, leading to a spiritual arrogance. This verse, with its mournful question, "What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?", emphasizes the unique tragedy of a once-glorious entity brought low, echoing the principle that pride goes before destruction.
  • Transience of Earthly Power: Tyre's fall is a stark reminder that all human empires, no matter how grand or seemingly secure, are temporary and subject to divine will. Its destruction serves as a prophetic warning against placing ultimate trust in material wealth or military might.
  • Widespread Mourning: The "wailing" and "lamentation" by other nations and sailors depicted here show the far-reaching impact of Tyre's fall. Those who benefited from its trade mourn not out of sympathy for Tyre's sin, but for the loss of their lucrative commercial partner.

Linguistic Insights

The term "lamentation" (Hebrew: qinah) refers to a specific type of mournful song or dirge, often characterized by a particular rhythmic structure that conveys sorrow and grief. The poetic structure of this chapter, particularly the rhetorical question, "What city is like Tyrus?", emphasizes the profound shock and uniqueness of Tyre's demise, highlighting its once unparalleled status as a "perfect in beauty" trading hub "in the midst of the sea." This imagery powerfully conveys its island fortress nature and ultimate vulnerability.

Related Scriptures

To understand the full scope of God's judgment against Tyre, consider reading the initial prophecy in Ezekiel 26. The broader theme of the transience of earthly kingdoms and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom is found in Daniel 2:44.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 27:32 serves as a timeless warning for individuals and nations alike. It challenges us to reflect on where we place our ultimate trust and security. Are we building our lives on transient wealth and power, or on the eternal and unchanging character of God? The lament over Tyre reminds us that true security is found not in human achievements, but in humble reliance on the Almighty. It calls us to recognize God's sovereignty over all earthly affairs and to guard against the deceptive allure of pride and self-sufficiency, which can lead to a spiritual fall.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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