Ezekiel 27:5

KJV

They have made all thy [ship] boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

They have made {H1129} all thy ship boards {H3871} of fir trees {H1265} of Senir {H8149}: they have taken {H3947} cedars {H730} from Lebanon {H3844} to make {H6213} masts {H8650} for thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

They used cypress logs from S'nir to fashion all your planking. They took cedars from the L'vanon to make masts for you.

Berean Standard Bible

They constructed all your planking with cypress from Senir. They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.

American Standard Version

They have made all thy planks of fir-trees from Senir; they have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:5 is a pivotal verse within Ezekiel's elaborate funeral lament for Tyre, vividly portraying the powerful Phoenician city as a magnificent merchant vessel. This passage meticulously details the use of premium materials—fir trees from Senir for its hull boards and cedars from Lebanon for its towering masts—in its construction. These opulent resources symbolize Tyre's immense wealth, its extensive and far-reaching trade networks, and the profound pride it harbored in its unparalleled worldly achievements and perceived self-sufficiency, all of which ultimately set the stage for its prophesied downfall and serve as a sober warning against the idolatry of material prosperity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel chapters 26-28 deliver a series of powerful prophetic oracles against Tyre, a dominant maritime power of the ancient world. Chapter 27, in particular, shifts from a direct prophecy of destruction, as articulated in [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre's Fall"), to an extended funeral dirge, personifying Tyre as a grand, meticulously crafted ship. This elaborate metaphor allows Ezekiel to comprehensively detail the city's vast commercial empire, its immense wealth, and its global reach by describing the origin of every component of this metaphorical vessel—from its foundational hull to its sails, rigging, and diverse crew. Verse 5 specifically focuses on the foundational elements of the ship's construction, highlighting the exceptional quality and prestigious origin of the wood used for its main structure and towering masts, thereby establishing the unparalleled grandeur and perceived invincibility of Tyre before its inevitable "shipwreck" and ruin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a preeminent city-state of Phoenicia, renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its unparalleled seafaring prowess, extensive trade routes, and formidable wealth. Strategically situated on the Mediterranean coast, it commanded a vast commercial empire that stretched from the Levant to the far reaches of the Mediterranean. The materials explicitly mentioned in Ezekiel 27:5—fir trees from Senir (an Amorite name for Mount Hermon, part of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range) and cedars from Lebanon—were highly prized commodities in the ancient world. Fir was valued for its strength, straightness, and suitability for robust ship construction, forming the sturdy framework. The "cedars of Lebanon" were legendary for their immense size, durability, aromatic quality, and resistance to decay, making them the most coveted timber for grand architectural projects, including King Solomon’s Temple, as described in [1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Solomon's Request for Cedars from Hiram"). The sourcing of these specific, high-quality materials from distinct, prestigious regions underscores Tyre's extraordinary ability to command the finest resources globally, reflecting its immense economic power, sophisticated craftsmanship, and extensive network of trade.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Unparalleled Craftsmanship and Resources**, showcasing Tyre's access to the finest materials and its inhabitants' exceptional skill in shipbuilding, which translated directly into immense wealth and global influence. Secondly, the meticulous description of Tyre's grandeur implicitly underscores the theme of **Pride in Worldly Achievements**. The city's beauty, strength, and self-sufficiency, built entirely on human ingenuity and material possessions, became a profound source of arrogance, leading to its defiance against God and other nations, a theme further elaborated in [Ezekiel 28](/ezekiel/28 "Ezekiel 28 - Prophecy Against the Prince of Tyre"). Finally, the central **Symbolism of a Ship** is crucial. Tyre's very identity as a powerful trading nation is embodied in this majestic vessel. However, this very symbol paradoxically foreshadows its vulnerability and eventual "shipwreck," serving as a potent metaphor for its impending downfall and the inherent impermanence of earthly glory, a recurring motif throughout prophetic literature, such as in [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - The Burden of Tyre").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **boards (Hebrew, _lûwach'_):** This term (H3871) refers to a tablet or plank, often polished, made of stone, wood, or metal. In the context of Ezekiel 27:5, it specifically denotes the sturdy planks or timbers meticulously used to construct the hull of the ship, emphasizing the foundational elements of Tyre's strength and stability. The choice of "fir trees of Senir" for these boards highlights their robustness and superior quality, forming the very backbone of Tyre's maritime power.
* **fir trees (Hebrew, _bᵉrôwsh'_):** The word (H1265) refers to a cypress or fir tree, known for its straightness, strength, and suitability for robust construction, particularly shipbuilding. Sourcing these from Senir (Mount Hermon, H8149) indicates Tyre's access to premium, durable timber, forming the very backbone of its maritime power and underscoring its ability to procure the best materials from distant lands.
* **masts (Hebrew, _tôren'_):** This term (H8650) denotes a pole, specifically a mast or flagstaff. The use of "cedars from Lebanon" (H730, H3844) for these masts signifies not only their impressive height and grandeur but also the extraordinary resources Tyre could command. Masts are crucial for a ship's propulsion, symbolizing Tyre's ability to harness the winds of trade, navigate vast distances, and ultimately dominate the seas through its commercial enterprise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They have made all thy [ship] boards of fir trees of Senir:"** This initial clause describes the primary construction material for the ship's hull—the very foundation of Tyre's maritime identity and commercial strength. The "fir trees of Senir" (Mount Hermon) were highly prized for their strength, durability, and straightness, indicating that Tyre spared no expense in building its commercial empire. This speaks to the meticulous craftsmanship and the vast, high-quality resources Tyre could procure, laying the groundwork for its perceived invincibility and self-reliance in the ancient world.
* **"they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee."** This second clause highlights the use of the most prestigious and coveted timber in the ancient world—the legendary "cedars from Lebanon"—for the ship's masts. Masts are the tallest and most visible parts of a ship, symbolizing its grandeur, its reach across the seas, and its power to harness the winds of trade. The procurement of such valuable and majestic wood underscores Tyre's immense wealth, its extensive trade networks that facilitated access to distant, premium resources, and its unbridled ambition to dominate the seas through its unparalleled maritime capabilities.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 27:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the city of Tyre is vividly depicted as a magnificent, meticulously crafted ship. This extended metaphor, which permeates the entirety of Ezekiel 27, allows the prophet to describe the city's attributes, its global reach, its commercial operations, and its eventual downfall in compelling nautical terms, making its destruction a dramatic "shipwreck." Furthermore, **Symbolism** is heavily at play, with the specific materials—fir from Senir and cedars from Lebanon—symbolizing Tyre's immense wealth, its access to the finest resources from across the known world, and the profound pride it took in its human ingenuity, craftsmanship, and material possessions. These premium materials represent the very foundation of Tyre's power, glory, and self-made empire. The detailed description of such extraordinary and costly materials also verges on **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the unparalleled, almost unbelievable, grandeur and perceived invincibility of Tyre, thereby heightening the dramatic impact and tragic irony of its prophesied destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:5, by meticulously detailing the opulent construction of Tyre, serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of worldly glory and the insidious perils of pride. Tyre's reliance on its vast wealth, its impressive craftsmanship, and its extensive trade networks led to an inflated sense of self-sufficiency and arrogance, ultimately provoking divine judgment. The passage underscores the timeless biblical truth that any foundation built solely on human achievement, material possessions, or worldly power is ultimately transient, vulnerable, and destined for collapse. True security, lasting value, and enduring prosperity are found not in what we accumulate or construct by our own might, but in humble dependence on the sovereign God. The prophesied fall of Tyre stands as a timeless warning against the idolatry of wealth and the dangers of pride that elevates human ingenuity and material success above divine sovereignty and righteousness.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 23:9](/isaiah/23-9 "Isaiah 23:9 - The Lord's Purpose Against Tyre")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous description of Tyre's magnificent ship in Ezekiel 27:5 invites us to engage in profound reflection on the foundations of our own lives, both individually and corporately. In a world that often measures success by material accumulation, influence, and self-made achievements, this passage serves as a poignant reminder that even the most splendid human endeavors, built with the finest resources and greatest skill, are ultimately impermanent and subject to decay. We are challenged to critically examine where we place our ultimate trust and from what source we derive our deepest sense of security and identity. Is it in our careers, our financial portfolios, our social standing, our intellectual prowess, or our perceived self-sufficiency? Or is it in the unchanging character, unfailing promises, and sovereign power of God? The impending "shipwreck" of Tyre vividly warns against the insidious nature of pride that can subtly accompany prosperity, urging us to cultivate genuine humility and a deep, abiding reliance on the One who truly upholds all things and whose kingdom alone is unshakable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I, like ancient Tyre, be tempted to place my ultimate trust in worldly resources, material possessions, or self-made achievements rather than in God?**
* **What does the impermanence of Tyre's glorious, human-built empire teach me about the true nature of lasting value, security, and eternal significance?**
* **How can I actively cultivate humility and a deeper, more consistent reliance on God in my daily life, especially when I experience success, prosperity, or a sense of self-sufficiency?**

### FAQ
**Why is Tyre described as a ship in such detail?**

Answer: The detailed description of Tyre as a magnificent ship in [Ezekiel 27](/ezekiel/27 "Ezekiel 27 - The Lament Over Tyre") is a powerful literary device, specifically an extended metaphor or funeral dirge, that encapsulates the city's very identity. Tyre was the preeminent maritime trading power of its era, and the ship symbolizes its global reach, its immense wealth accumulated through extensive trade, and its perceived invincibility on the seas. By portraying Tyre as a vessel meticulously constructed from the finest materials sourced from across the known world, Ezekiel vividly highlights its grandeur, its self-sufficiency, and its commercial dominance. This elaborate portrayal also serves to heighten the dramatic impact of its prophesied destruction, making its downfall a vivid "shipwreck" that shatters its pride and exposes the inherent fragility of its worldly glory.

**What is the significance of the specific woods mentioned: fir from Senir and cedars from Lebanon?**

Answer: The mention of fir trees from Senir (Mount Hermon) and cedars from Lebanon is highly significant because these were considered the premium timber resources of the ancient world. Fir was valued for its strength, straightness, and suitability for robust ship construction, forming the sturdy "boards" of the hull. Cedars of Lebanon were legendary for their immense size, durability, aromatic quality, and resistance to decay, making them the most coveted wood for grand constructions, including the towering "masts" of the ship. Their inclusion underscores Tyre's extraordinary wealth, its extensive trade networks that allowed it to procure such high-quality materials from distant, prestigious regions, and the unparalleled craftsmanship of its shipbuilders. These materials collectively symbolize Tyre's opulence, its power, and the profound pride it took in its self-made, human-centered empire.

**Does this prophecy against Tyre, particularly Ezekiel 27:5, have any relevance for modern nations or individuals?**

Answer: While specifically addressed to ancient Tyre, the principles embedded in this prophecy are timeless and universally applicable. [Ezekiel 27:5](/ezekiel/27-5 "Ezekiel 27:5 - Tyre's Construction Materials"), by highlighting Tyre's pride in its material wealth and self-sufficiency, serves as a profound cautionary tale for any nation, institution, or individual that places ultimate trust and identity in worldly achievements, economic power, or material possessions. It reminds us that all earthly glory is transient and that true security and lasting value come from God alone. The "shipwreck" of Tyre underscores the biblical truth that God opposes the proud ([James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")) and that humility and dependence on Him are essential for enduring well-being, a message that resonates deeply in any age where prosperity can subtly lead to spiritual complacency or destructive arrogance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The magnificent ship of Tyre, meticulously built with the finest earthly materials and symbolizing immense human pride, self-sufficiency, and worldly glory, stands in stark contrast to the humble yet eternally secure foundation offered in Jesus Christ. Tyre's reliance on "fir trees of Senir" and "cedars from Lebanon" for its strength and grandeur ultimately led to its catastrophic "shipwreck," vividly illustrating the impermanence and ultimate futility of any structure or life built solely upon human achievement and material accumulation. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself speaks of the critical importance of building one's life on a secure foundation, contrasting the wise builder who constructs his house on the rock with the foolish builder who builds on sand, leading to inevitable collapse when the storms of life come ([Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")). Christ is presented as the ultimate, unshakeable foundation, the "living Stone" rejected by men but chosen by God, upon whom believers are built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood ([1 Peter 2:4-8](/1_peter/2-4-8 "1 Peter 2:4-8 - Christ the Living Stone")). Unlike Tyre's hubris that led to its downfall, Christ's strength and redemptive power are found in His profound humility, emptying Himself and taking the form of a servant, even to the ignominious death on a cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). The towering "masts" of Tyre, representing its lofty ambitions and commercial reach, are superseded by the cross of Christ, which, though appearing as weakness and foolishness to the world, is in fact the very power and wisdom of God unto salvation for all who believe ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). Thus, Ezekiel 27:5, in its depiction of a worldly empire's glorious but ultimately doomed construction, powerfully points us to the eternal security, true glory, and lasting hope found only in building our lives upon the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, our steadfast anchor for the soul ([Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")).

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

Deuteronomy 3:9

([Which] Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)

Song Of Solomon 4:8

¶ Come with me from Lebanon, [my] spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

Isaiah 14:8

Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, [saying], Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

Psalms 104:16

The trees of the LORD are full [of sap]; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

1 Kings 5:1

¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

Psalms 29:5

The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

Psalms 92:12

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.