Ezekiel 27:6

KJV

[Of] the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches [of] ivory, [brought] out of the isles of Chittim.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of the oaks {H437} of Bashan {H1316} have they made {H6213} thine oars {H4880}; the company {H1323} of the Ashurites {H839} have made {H6213} thy benches {H7175} of ivory {H8127}, brought out of the isles {H339} of Chittim {H3794}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Out of oaks from Bashan they made your oars. Your deck they made of ivory inlaid in larch from the coasts of Kittim.

Berean Standard Bible

Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; of wood from the coasts of Cyprus they made your deck, inlaid with ivory.

American Standard Version

Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; they have made thy benches of ivory inlaid in boxwood, from the isles of Kittim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:6 is a vivid detail within the prophet's elaborate lament over the city of Tyre, personified as a magnificent merchant ship. This verse specifically describes the luxurious and high-quality materials used in the ship's construction—oars made from the sturdy oaks of Bashan and benches crafted from precious ivory by Ashurite artisans, sourced from the distant isles of Chittim. These opulent components symbolize Tyre's immense wealth, extensive global trade networks, and the city's profound reliance on its worldly strength and self-sufficiency, which ultimately set the stage for its prophesied downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel chapters 26-28 comprise a series of oracles against the powerful Phoenician city-state of Tyre, a major maritime and commercial hub of the ancient world. Chapter 27, in particular, employs an extended and highly detailed **metaphor** of Tyre as a grand, perfectly constructed merchant ship, built for splendor and commerce, yet ultimately destined for a catastrophic shipwreck. This elaborate imagery serves to highlight Tyre's self-perception of invincibility and its reliance on its vast material resources. Verse 6 specifically contributes to this detailed description by focusing on the premium materials used for the ship's oars and benches, following earlier descriptions of its hull and mast, thereby building a complete picture of its perceived grandeur before the pronouncement of its ruin. The meticulous listing of materials and their origins underscores the global reach of Tyre's trade and the depth of its worldly pride.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, renowned for its naval power, extensive trade routes, and immense wealth derived from its commercial enterprises. In the 7th-6th centuries BCE, it was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, establishing colonies and trading posts across the Mediterranean. The "oaks of Bashan" refer to a fertile region east of the Jordan River, known for its strong, tall trees, highly prized for shipbuilding. The "Ashurites" likely denote skilled craftsmen or merchants, possibly associated with Assyria or northern Mesopotamian trade routes, emphasizing the international nature of Tyre's supply chain. "Chittim" is a biblical name commonly identified with Cyprus, a significant island in the eastern Mediterranean, which served as a major trading hub and source of luxury goods, including ivory, which was a highly prized and expensive commodity in the ancient world, often used for decorative purposes in royal palaces and elite furnishings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader lament over Tyre, powerfully contributes to several key theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it highlights **Tyre's immense wealth and pride**, demonstrating how the city's extraordinary prosperity, derived from its global trade network, fueled an arrogant self-sufficiency. This pride is a recurring motif in Ezekiel's prophecies against Tyre, particularly evident in the king of Tyre's boast in [Ezekiel 28:2](/ezekiel/28-2 "Ezekiel 28:2 - The King of Tyre's Arrogance") that he is a god. Secondly, the detailed enumeration of materials from diverse geographical locations underscores the vastness and intricacy of **Tyre's global trade network**, which brought in resources from as far as Bashan and Chittim, showcasing its commercial prowess. Finally, the emphasis on the ship's construction from the finest materials symbolizes Tyre's profound **reliance on worldly strength**—its naval power, economic might, and commercial acumen—rather than on divine favor or recognition of God's sovereignty. This theme is central to understanding God's judgment against the city's arrogance, as its material splendor and self-confidence ultimately blinded it to its impending divine judgment, a common prophetic message against nations trusting in their own might, as seen in [Isaiah 23:1-18](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **oaks (Hebrew, _ʼallôwn'_):** This term refers to a strong, sturdy tree, specifically an oak. The choice of "oaks of Bashan" emphasizes the superior quality and durability of the timber, making it ideal for the critical structural components of a ship like oars. It signifies strength and resilience, qualities Tyre believed it possessed in abundance.
* **Bashan (Hebrew, _Bâshân'_):** A fertile region located east of the Jordan River, renowned for its rich pastures and dense forests. Its inclusion here highlights the premium, high-quality timber sourced from a specific, well-known region, underscoring the ship's construction with the finest materials available. It also points to the extensive reach of Tyre's procurement network.
* **Chittim (Hebrew, _Kittîy'_):** This term refers to the inhabitants of Cyprus, or more broadly, islanders and coastal dwellers, often associated with the Greeks or Romans on the shores opposite Palestine. In this context, it signifies the distant, exotic origin of the precious ivory, emphasizing Tyre's vast international trade connections and its ability to acquire luxury goods from far-flung regions across the Mediterranean.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars":** This clause highlights the exceptional quality of the materials used for the ship's propulsion. Oars, being crucial for maneuverability and speed, needed to be strong and durable. The "oaks of Bashan" were famed for their robust timber, signifying that Tyre spared no expense in equipping its metaphorical vessel with the best possible means of power and control, reflecting its self-assured strength and independence.
* **"the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory":** This part of the verse details the luxurious seating arrangements on the ship, emphasizing opulence and comfort. The "company of the Ashurites" suggests skilled artisans or merchants, possibly from a region associated with Assyria, indicating that Tyre employed expert craftsmanship from beyond its immediate borders. The use of "ivory," a rare and expensive material, for the benches underscores the city's immense wealth and its dedication to extravagant display, symbolizing its pride and perceived status among nations.
* **"brought out of the isles of Chittim":** This final phrase specifies the origin of the precious ivory. The "isles of Chittim," primarily identified with Cyprus, were a significant source of luxury goods and a key trading partner in the ancient Mediterranean. This detail further illustrates the extensive and sophisticated global trade network that sustained Tyre's prosperity, drawing resources and exotic commodities from distant lands to adorn its "ship," reinforcing the theme of its vast commercial reach and material accumulation.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Ezekiel 27 is an extended **Metaphor**, where the city of Tyre is personified as a magnificent merchant ship. This verse, in particular, contributes to this central metaphor by detailing the ship's construction, thereby allowing the prophet to describe Tyre's wealth, trade, and eventual downfall in vivid, tangible terms. The specific materials mentioned—oaks of Bashan, ivory from Chittim—function as powerful **Symbolism**, representing Tyre's immense wealth, global reach, and the pride it took in its self-made grandeur. The meticulous enumeration of these exotic and high-quality components also creates an impression of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary, almost unbelievable, level of luxury and resources Tyre commanded, thereby magnifying the impact of its eventual destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:6, through its detailed description of Tyre's opulent construction, serves as a profound theological statement on the dangers of human pride and the transient nature of worldly wealth. Tyre's confidence in its magnificent ship, built from the finest materials sourced globally, mirrors humanity's tendency to place ultimate trust in material possessions, economic power, and self-derived strength rather than in God. This reliance on fleeting earthly resources, rather than the eternal God, is consistently portrayed in scripture as a path leading to spiritual blindness and eventual ruin. The city's self-glorification, epitomized by its "perfect beauty" and vast riches, stands in stark contrast to the divine judgment that awaits those who elevate themselves above God's sovereignty. The passage implicitly warns against the idolatry of wealth and the illusion of invincibility that often accompanies great prosperity, reminding us that all earthly achievements and securities are temporary and subject to God's ultimate authority.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before a Fall")
* [Isaiah 2:7](/isaiah/2-7 "Isaiah 2:7 - Idolatry of Wealth")
* [Jeremiah 9:23-24](/jeremiah/9-23 "Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Boasting in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre, particularly this verse detailing its luxurious construction, offers a timeless and potent warning for individuals and nations today. It challenges us to examine the foundations upon which we build our lives and our sense of security. Just as Tyre placed its confidence in its material assets, naval power, and commercial prowess, we too can fall into the trap of relying on our financial portfolios, professional achievements, social status, or even national strength as our ultimate source of security and pride. This passage calls us to a profound humility, reminding us that all earthly achievements and possessions are temporary and ultimately subject to God's sovereign will. True security and enduring wealth are not found in the "oaks of Bashan" or "ivory from Chittim," but in a humble dependence on God and an investment in eternal values. It encourages us to shift our focus from accumulating perishable treasures on earth to laying up imperishable treasures in heaven, understanding that genuine prosperity is measured not by what we possess, but by our relationship with the Divine.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "oaks of Bashan" or "ivory from Chittim" do I tend to rely on for my security and identity in life?**
* **How does the pursuit of wealth or worldly success potentially blind me to spiritual realities or foster pride in my own abilities?**
* **In what ways can I intentionally shift my trust from transient earthly resources to the enduring sovereignty and provision of God?**
* **How does the ultimate downfall of Tyre, despite its immense material strength, challenge my own assumptions about where true power and lasting peace reside?**

### FAQ
**Why is Tyre depicted as a ship in Ezekiel 27?**

Answer: Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city-state renowned for its maritime trade and naval power. Depicting it as a magnificent ship in [Ezekiel 27](/ezekiel/27 "Ezekiel 27 - The Lament Over Tyre") is a powerful and fitting metaphor. It visually represents Tyre's identity, its source of wealth (global commerce), its pride in its self-sufficiency, and its ultimate vulnerability. Just as a ship, no matter how grand, is subject to the destructive forces of the sea, Tyre, despite its perceived invincibility, was subject to God's judgment and destined for a catastrophic "shipwreck." This metaphor allows Ezekiel to vividly describe the city's rise, its splendor, and its dramatic fall.

**What is the significance of the specific materials mentioned (oaks of Bashan, ivory from Chittim)?**

Answer: The mention of "oaks of Bashan" for oars and "ivory from the isles of Chittim" for benches in [Ezekiel 27:6](/ezekiel/27-6 "Ezekiel 27:6 - Tyre's Luxurious Construction") highlights several key aspects of Tyre. The "oaks of Bashan" were known for their strength and quality, symbolizing the robust and reliable nature of Tyre's infrastructure and its ability to source the best materials for its operations. "Ivory" was an extremely valuable and luxurious commodity in the ancient world, often reserved for royalty and the elite, signifying Tyre's immense wealth and its penchant for opulence and display. The origins—Bashan (east of Jordan) and Chittim (Cyprus/Mediterranean islands)—underscore the vastness and sophistication of Tyre's global trade network, which extended across the known world to bring in the finest and most exotic goods. Together, these details paint a picture of a city that was self-sufficient, exceedingly prosperous, and deeply proud of its material grandeur.

**What happened to Tyre after this prophecy?**

Answer: The prophecies against Tyre in [Ezekiel 26-28](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26-28 - Prophecies Against Tyre") foretold its destruction and desolation. Historically, Tyre faced a prolonged siege by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon for thirteen years (c. 586-573 BCE), which significantly weakened its mainland city. While the island city remained, it eventually fell to Alexander the Great in 332 BCE after a seven-month siege, during which Alexander famously built a causeway to the island, fulfilling prophecies of its stones and timber being thrown into the sea. Though Tyre continued to exist in various forms for centuries, its glory as the undisputed queen of the seas and a dominant commercial power was irrevocably shattered, fulfilling the prophetic pronouncements of its decline and eventual desolation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The detailed description of Tyre's worldly glory and its eventual, inevitable collapse in Ezekiel 27:6 serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow, pointing to the ultimate contrast between the fleeting nature of human-made empires and the eternal, unshakeable kingdom of God established in Christ. Tyre's pride in its "oaks of Bashan" and "ivory from Chittim" reflects humanity's inherent tendency to build its security and identity on material wealth, self-sufficiency, and worldly power. However, this magnificent "ship" of human achievement is ultimately destined for shipwreck, revealing the futility of trusting in anything other than God. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ embodies true and eternal glory, not built on earthly resources but on divine humility and sacrificial love, as described in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility"). He is the true "treasure" that moth and rust cannot destroy, and thieves cannot break in and steal, as He Himself taught in [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven"). While Tyre's beauty and wealth were external and perishable, Christ's kingdom is spiritual and everlasting, a reality that will never be overthrown, as prophesied in [Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man"). The fall of Tyre underscores that true stability and ultimate fulfillment are found not in the strength of human hands or the abundance of material possessions, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who offers an eternal security and a glory that far surpasses any earthly splendor.

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 2:13

And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, [that are] high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

Genesis 10:4

And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

Zechariah 11:2

Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.

Jeremiah 2:10

For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.

Isaiah 23:12

And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.

Numbers 21:33

And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.

Jeremiah 22:20

¶ Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.