Ezekiel 27:8

The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise [men], O Tyrus, [that] were in thee, were thy pilots.

The inhabitants {H3427} of Zidon {H6721} and Arvad {H719} were thy mariners {H7751}: thy wise {H2450} men, O Tyrus {H6865}, that were in thee, were thy pilots {H2259}.

The people of Tzidon and Arvad served as your oarsmen. Your own skilled men, Tzor, were there as your pilots.

The men of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen. Your men of skill, O Tyre, were there as your captains.

The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were thy rowers: thy wise men, O Tyre, were in thee, they were thy pilots.

Context of Ezekiel 27:8

Ezekiel chapter 27 is a vivid and detailed lamentation, or funeral dirge, over the great city of Tyre (also known as Tyrus). The prophet Ezekiel describes Tyre as a magnificent merchant ship, built with the finest materials and manned by skilled personnel from across the ancient world, only to foresee its eventual destruction. This particular verse focuses on the vital human element that powered Tyre's maritime dominance, highlighting the specific roles and origins of its skilled workforce.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Tyre's Maritime Power: This verse underscores Tyre's identity as a preeminent seafaring nation. Its wealth and influence were built upon its vast trade routes and powerful navy. The mention of "mariners" and "pilots" points to the sophisticated organization and specialized skills required for such extensive naval operations.
  • Interdependence and Global Reach: Tyre, despite its immense power, relied heavily on skilled labor from neighboring Phoenician cities. Zidon (Sidon) and Arvad were prominent maritime centers themselves, providing experienced sailors to man Tyre's fleets. This highlights the interconnectedness of ancient economies and the strategic alliances that supported them.
  • Wisdom and Expertise: The "wise men" of Tyre serving as "pilots" emphasizes the critical role of knowledge and experience in navigation. Piloting a ship, especially in ancient times, required deep understanding of currents, winds, stars, and coastlines – skills that were highly valued and essential for successful trade and exploration. This expertise was internal to Tyre, showcasing its own intellectual capital.
  • Pride Before the Fall: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Ezekiel 27 and Ezekiel 28 reveals that Tyre's grandeur and self-sufficiency ultimately led to its downfall. The intricate description of its strength serves to magnify the shock of its prophesied destruction, a common biblical theme that pride often precedes a fall.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "wise men" (Hebrew: חֲכָמִים, chakhamim) in this context refers not merely to intellectual sages, but to individuals possessing practical skill, discernment, and expertise – precisely the qualities needed for complex navigation. These were the highly capable individuals responsible for guiding Tyre's valuable ships safely through treacherous waters, underscoring their critical role in the city's prosperity.

Related Scriptures

  • For a broader picture of Tyre's extensive trade network and luxurious construction, see Ezekiel 27:3-7.
  • The subsequent verses, Ezekiel 27:9-11, continue to list the diverse nations and skilled laborers who contributed to Tyre's military and commercial might.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 27:8 reminds us of several timeless principles. First, even the most powerful entities rely on skilled labor and strategic partnerships. No nation or enterprise thrives in isolation. Second, it highlights the enduring value of specialized knowledge and wisdom; true expertise is always in demand. Finally, within the overarching narrative of Tyre's fall, it serves as a subtle warning against excessive pride in human achievements and resources, reminding us that all worldly power is ultimately transient and subject to divine sovereignty.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Genesis 10:18

    And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
  • 1 Kings 9:27

    And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
  • Ezekiel 27:11

    The men of Arvad with thine army [were] upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.
  • Genesis 10:15

    ¶ And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • Joshua 11:8

    And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.
  • 1 Kings 5:6

    Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that [there is] not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:13

    And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,

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