Ezekiel 27
27
A funeral song for Tyre
1The LORD said:
2Ezekiel, son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre,#27.2 Tyre: See the note at 26.2. 3the 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 boast about
your perfect beauty,
4and 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.
5Builders used cypress trees
from Mount Hermon
to make your planks
and a cedar tree from Lebanon
for your tall mast.
6Oak 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.
7The builders used fine linen
from Egypt for your sails,
so everyone could see you.
Blue and purple cloth
from Cyprus was used
to shade your deck.
8Men from Sidon and Arvad
did the rowing,
and your own skilled workers
were the captains.
9Experienced men from Byblos
repaired any damages.
Sailors from all over
shopped at the stores
in your port.
10Brave soldiers from Persia,
Lydia, and Libya
served in your navy,
protecting you with shields
and helmets,
and making you famous.
11Your 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.
12Merchants 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. 13The people of Greece, Tubal, and Meshech traded slaves and things made of bronze, 14and those from Beth-Togarmah traded work horses, war horses, and mules. 15You 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. 16Edom#27.16 Edom: Some Hebrew manuscripts and one ancient translation; most Hebrew manuscripts “Syria”. traded emeralds, purple cloth, embroidery, fine linen, coral, and rubies. 17Judah and Israel gave you their finest wheat, best figs,#27.17 their finest wheat, best figs: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. honey, olive oil, and spices in exchange for your merchandise. 18The people of Damascus saw what you had to offer and brought you wine from Helbon and wool from Zahar. 19Vedan and Javan near Uzal#27.19 Vedan and Javan near Uzal: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. traded you iron and spices. 20The people of Dedan supplied you with saddle blankets, 21while people from Arabia and the rulers of Kedar traded lambs, sheep, and goats. 22Merchants from Sheba and Raamah gave you excellent spices, precious stones, and gold in exchange for your products. 23You also did business with merchants from the cities of Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, 24and they gave you expensive clothing, purple and embroidered cloth, brightly-coloured rugs, and strong rope. 25Large, 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.#Rev 18.11-19.
You were like a ship
loaded with heavy cargo
26and sailing across the sea,
but you were wrecked
by strong eastern winds.
27Everything on board was lost—
your valuable cargo,
your sailors and carpenters,
merchants and soldiers.
28The shouts of your drowning crew
were heard on the shore.
29Every ship is deserted;
rowers and sailors and captains
all stand on shore,
30mourning for you.
They show their sorrow
by putting dust on their heads
and rolling in ashes;
31they shave their heads
and dress in sackcloth#27.31 sackcloth: See the note at 7.18.
as they cry in despair.
32In 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.
34But now you are wrecked
in the deep sea,
with your cargo and crew
scattered everywhere.
35People living along the coast
are shocked at the news.
Their rulers are horrified,
and terror is written
across their faces.
36The merchants of the world
can't believe what happened.
Your death was gruesome,
and you are gone for ever.”
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Ezekiel 27: CEVUK
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012