Ezekiel 27:9

The ancients of Gebal and the wise [men] thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.

The ancients {H2205} of Gebal {H1380} and the wise {H2450} men thereof were in thee thy calkers {H919}{H2388}: all the ships {H591} of the sea {H3220} with their mariners {H4419} were in thee to occupy {H6148} thy merchandise {H4627}.

The leaders and craftsmen of G'val sealed the cracks between your boards. "'Every seagoing ship and its crew came to you to trade in your wares.

The elders of Gebal were aboard as shipwrights, repairing your leaks. All the ships of the sea and their sailors came alongside to barter for your merchandise.

The old men of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to deal in thy merchandise.

Ezekiel 27:9 is part of a detailed prophetic lamentation (a funeral song) over the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre, described metaphorically as a magnificent, ill-fated ship. This verse specifically highlights the international cooperation and specialized labor that fueled Tyre's immense maritime commerce and power.

Context of Ezekiel 27:9

Chapter 27 of Ezekiel paints a vivid picture of Tyre as the epitome of ancient naval and commercial might. The prophet describes its construction from various nations' resources and the diverse peoples who served its vast trading empire. Verse 9 focuses on the critical skilled labor provided by the city of Gebal (modern Byblos), whose "ancients" and "wise men" served as expert calkers – those who sealed the seams of ships to make them watertight. This detail underscores the sophisticated infrastructure necessary for Tyre's global reach, where "all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise," signifying Tyre as a major hub for international trade and maritime activity. This detailed prophecy against Tyre sets the stage for its eventual downfall.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Tyre's Economic Dominance: The verse powerfully illustrates Tyre's central role as a global marketplace and a leader in ancient maritime trade, attracting ships and merchants from across the known world.
  • Dependence on Skilled Labor: The specific mention of Gebal's calkers emphasizes the reliance on highly specialized craftsmen for the maintenance and prosperity of Tyre's fleet. This highlights the value of expertise in ancient economies.
  • International Interconnectedness: Tyre's success was not solitary; it was built on the contributions and interactions of many nations and peoples, from suppliers of materials to skilled laborers and trading partners.
  • Prophetic Warning: While describing Tyre's glory, this entire chapter serves as a prelude to its eventual downfall, a common theme in Ezekiel's prophecies against nations, reminding us that even the most powerful human endeavors are subject to divine judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The term "calkers" in Hebrew is machzikei bidqech (מַחְזִיקֵי בִּדְקֵךְ), which literally means "strengtheners of your breaches" or "repairers of your leaks." This term succinctly captures the vital role of these skilled artisans in ensuring the seaworthiness and structural integrity of Tyre's ships. The city of Gebal (Byblos) was well-known for its timber and shipbuilding expertise, making its contribution to Tyre's fleet particularly significant in the ancient world.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 27:9 offers several enduring insights relevant for today:

  • Value of Expertise: It reminds us of the importance of skilled labor and specialized knowledge in any thriving enterprise, whether ancient shipbuilding or modern industries. Competence and craftsmanship are essential for success.
  • Interdependence: No nation or economy exists in isolation. Our success often depends on the contributions, skills, and resources of others, fostering a need for global cooperation and understanding, much like Tyre relied on its numerous trading partners.
  • Humility in Prosperity: The detailed description of Tyre's wealth and connections serves as a backdrop to its eventual judgment, echoing a biblical principle that pride often precedes a fall. Even great human achievements are temporary and should be viewed with a sense of humility before God, as seen in the broader context of Proverbs 16:18.
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.

  • 1 Kings 5:18

    And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew [them], and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

  • Joshua 13:5

    And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

  • Psalms 83:7

    Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

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