Ezekiel 27

A Funeral Song for Tyre

1 The Lord said:

2 Ezekiel, son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre,*27.2 Tyre: See the note at 26.2.3 the city that is built along the sea and that trades with nations along the coast. Tell the people of Tyre that the following message is from me:

Tyre, you brag about

your perfect beauty,

4 and your control of the sea.*27.4 and your control of the sea: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

You are a ship

built to perfection.

5 Builders used cypress trees

from Mount Hermon

to make your planks

and a cedar tree from Lebanon

for your tall mast.

6 Oak trees from Bashan

were shaped into oars;

pine trees from Cyprus*27.6 pine trees from Cyprus: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

were cut for your deck,

which was then decorated

with strips of ivory.

7 The builders used fancy linen

from Egypt for your sails,

so everyone could see you.

Blue and purple cloth

from Cyprus was used

to shade your deck.

8 Men from Sidon and Arvad

did the rowing,

and your own skilled workers

were the captains.

9 Experienced men from Byblos

repaired any damages.

Sailors from all over

shopped at the stores

in your port.

10 Brave soldiers from Persia,

Lydia, and Libya

served in your navy,

protecting you with shields

and helmets,

and making you famous.

11 Your guards came from

Arvad and Cilicia,

and men from Gamad

stood watch in your towers.

With their weapons

hung on your walls,

your beauty was complete.

12 Merchants from southern Spain*27.12 southern Spain: The Hebrew text has "Tarshish," which may have been a Phoenician city in southern Spain. traded silver, iron, tin, and lead for your products. 13 The people of Greece, Tubal, and Meshech traded slaves and things made of bronze, 14 and those from Beth-Togarmah traded work horses, war horses, and mules. 15 You also did business with people from Rhodes,*27.15 Rhodes: One ancient translation; Hebrew "Dedan." and people from nations along the coast gave you ivory and ebony*27.15 ebony: A valuable black wood. in exchange for your goods. 16 Edom*27.16 Edom: Some Hebrew manuscripts and one ancient translation; most Hebrew manuscripts "Syria." traded emeralds, purple cloth, embroidery, fine linen, coral, and rubies. 17 Judah and Israel gave you their finest wheat, fancy figs,*27.17 their finest wheat, fancy figs: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. honey, olive oil, and spices in exchange for your merchandise. 18 The people of Damascus saw what you had to offer and brought you wine from Helbon and wool from Zahar. 19 Vedan and Javan near Uzal*27.19 Vedan and Javan near Uzal: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. traded you iron and spices. 20 The people of Dedan supplied you with saddle blankets, 21 while people from Arabia and the rulers of Kedar traded lambs, sheep, and goats. 22 Merchants from Sheba and Raamah gave you excellent spices, precious stones, and gold in exchange for your products. 23 You also did business with merchants from the cities of Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, 24 and they gave you expensive clothing, purple and embroidered cloth, brightly colored rugs, and strong rope. 25 *Rev 18.11-19. Large, seagoing ships*27.25 Large, seagoing ships: The Hebrew text has "Ships of Tarshish," which may have been a Phoenician city in Spain. "Ships of Tarshish" probably means large, seagoing ships. carried your goods wherever they needed to go.

You were like a ship

loaded with heavy cargo

26 and sailing across the sea,

but you were wrecked

by strong eastern winds.

27 Everything on board was lost—

your valuable cargo,

your sailors and carpenters,

merchants and soldiers.

28 The shouts of your drowning crew

were heard on the shore.

29 Every ship is deserted;

rowers and sailors and captains

all stand on shore,

30 mourning for you.

They show their sorrow

by putting dust on their heads

and rolling in ashes;

31 they shave their heads

and dress in sackcloth*27.31 sackcloth: See the note at 7.18.

as they cry in despair.

32 In their grief they sing

a funeral song for you:

"Tyre, you were greater

than all other cities.

But now you lie in silence

at the bottom of the sea.*27.32 Tyre, you were greater … the bottom of the sea: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

33 "Nations that received

your merchandise

were always pleased;

kings everywhere got rich

from your costly goods.

34 But now you are wrecked

in the deep sea,

with your cargo and crew

scattered everywhere.

35 People living along the coast

are shocked at the news.

Their rulers are horrified,

and terror is written

across their faces.

36 The merchants of the world

can’t believe what happened.

Your death was gruesome,

and you are gone forever."