The big picture
Ezekiel 27 opens in verse 1 with “The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 18 with “Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude…”, and closes in verse 36 with “The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never…” Repeated or prominent terms include merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Ezekiel · King James Version · 36Ezekiel 27:1-8
1–8: The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 27:1–8 opens with “The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,” and reaches “The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas, with particular weight carried by Tyrus, isles, beauty.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,” By verse 4, the text has turned to “Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.” It lands on “The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 2 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as Tyrus, isles, beauty, LORD, Arvad, Ashurites tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Tyrus, Arvad, Ashurites, Bashan, Chittim, Egypt. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 2: “Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: Tyrus, isles, beauty, LORD, Arvad, Ashurites
Verse-by-verse path
- Ezekiel 27:1
“The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, word. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
- Ezekiel 27:2
“Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;” Naming Tyrus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:3
“And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many…” Naming Tyrus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:4
“Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:5
“They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.” Naming Lebanon and Senir keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:6
“Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought…” Naming Ashurites and Bashan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:7
“Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the…” Naming Egypt and Elishah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:8
“The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.” Naming Arvad and Tyrus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Ezekiel 27:1-8
King James Version1The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
2Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;
3And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD ; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.
4Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.
5They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.
6Of 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.
7Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.
8The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.
Ezekiel 27:9-16
9–16: The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers…
Ezekiel 27:9–16 opens with “The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the…” and reaches “Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas, with particular weight carried by fairs, traded, army.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of…” By verse 12, the text has turned to “Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver…” It lands on “Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as fairs, traded, army, hanged, merchandise, merchant tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Arvad, Dedan, Gammadims, Gebal, Javan, Lud. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 12: “Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: fairs, traded, army, hanged, merchandise, merchant
Verse-by-verse path
- 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…” Naming Gebal keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:10
“They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee…” Naming Lud and Persia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 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…” Naming Arvad and Gammadims keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:12
“Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they…” Naming Tarshish keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:13
“Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.” Naming Javan and Meshech keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:14
“They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.” Naming Togarmah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:15
“The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee for a present…” Naming Dedan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:16
“Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with…” Naming Syria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Ezekiel 27:9-16
King James Version9The 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.
10They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.
11The 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.
12Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
13Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.
14They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.
15The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony.
16Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.
Ezekiel 27:17-24
17–24: Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in…
Ezekiel 27:17–24 opens with “Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of…” and reaches “These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas, with particular weight carried by merchants, occupied, clothes.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of…” By verse 20, the text has turned to “Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.” It lands on “These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as merchants, occupied, clothes, fairs, market, merchant tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Sheba, Arabia, Asshur, Canneh, Chilmad, Damascus. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 20: “Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: merchants, occupied, clothes, fairs, market, merchant
Verse-by-verse path
- Ezekiel 27:17
“Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and…” Naming Israel and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:18
“Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of…” Naming Damascus and Helbon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:19
“Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.” Naming Dan and Javan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:20
“Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.” Naming Dedan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:21
“Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy…” Naming Arabia and Kedar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:22
“The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and…” Naming Raamah and Sheba keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:23
“Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.” Naming Asshur and Canneh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:24
“These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel…” The line’s distinctive content terms include apparel, blue, bound. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.
Ezekiel 27:17-24
King James Version17Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
18Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
19Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.
20Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.
21Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants.
22The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.
23Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.
24These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.
Ezekiel 27:25-32
25–32: The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast…
Ezekiel 27:25–32 opens with “The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very…” and reaches “And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas, with particular weight carried by midst, pilots, seas.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made…” By verse 28, the text has turned to “The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.” It lands on “And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 question. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as midst, pilots, seas, mariners, merchandise, ships tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Thy, Tarshish, Tyrus. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 32: “And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: midst, pilots, seas, mariners, merchandise, ships
Verse-by-verse path
- Ezekiel 27:25
“The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst…” Naming Tarshish keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:26
“Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Ezekiel 27:27
“Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Ezekiel 27:28
“The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Ezekiel 27:29
“And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Ezekiel 27:30
“And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Ezekiel 27:31
“And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Ezekiel 27:32
“And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Ezekiel 27:25-32
King James Version25The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.
26Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.
27Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
28The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.
29And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;
30And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
31And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.
32And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?
Ezekiel 27:33-36
33–36: When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people…
Ezekiel 27:33–36 opens with “When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the…” and reaches “The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas, with particular weight carried by kings, merchandise, people.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the…” By verse 34, the text has turned to “In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy…” It lands on “The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as kings, merchandise, people, seas, afraid, astonished tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include All. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 34: “In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: kings, merchandise, people, seas, afraid, astonished
Verse-by-verse path
- Ezekiel 27:33
“When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with…” The line’s distinctive content terms include didst, earth, enrich. Its relationship to verses 34 shows what work it does in this passage.
- Ezekiel 27:34
“In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Ezekiel 27:35
“All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Ezekiel 27:36
“The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Ezekiel 27:33-36
King James Version33When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.
34In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.
35All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance.
36The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more.
Questions to keep in mind while reading
- Identify the historical crisis, covenant failure, warning, and promised hope.
- Distinguish the prophet’s immediate audience from later biblical connections.
- Do not turn present-day headlines into confident fulfillment claims without textual evidence.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
Questions beneath the surface
- What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Ezekiel 27?
- Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
- What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
- Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?
Questions for serious personal contemplation
These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.
Observe without rushing
What part of Ezekiel 27 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?
Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?
Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Ezekiel 27 develops its own movement around merchants, merchandise, midst, fairs, seas?
What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?
Examine your inner life honestly
Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?
What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?
Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?
If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?
Respond with wisdom and courage
What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?
How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?
What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?
What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?
