Yechezkel Chapter 27 – Lamentation Over Tyre’s Fall
- Introduction to the Lament over Tyre (Verses 1–3)
G‑d commands Yechezkel to lift a lamentation over Tyre. Tyre is described as a proud seaport city, a major hub of commerce among many islands, proclaiming arrogantly, “I am the perfection of beauty.”
- Tyre’s Exquisite Construction and Maritime Glory (Verses 4–11)
Tyre’s beauty and grandeur are detailed poetically. Its ship—symbolizing the nation—is crafted with fine materials: juniper planks from Senir, cedar masts from Lebanon, oars of Bashan oak, and ivory‑inlaid rudders from Kittim. Its sails are embroidered Egyptian linen, and its coverings are dyed blue and purple from Elishah. Skilled mariners from Sidon, Arvad, and Gebal serve aboard, repairing and strengthening the vessel. Warriors from Persia, Lud, Put, and Arvad adorn Tyre’s walls, enhancing its splendor and power.
- Tyre’s Global Trade Network (Verses 12–24)
Tyre stands at the center of an immense international economy.
• Tarshish provides silver, iron, tin, and lead.
• Javan, Tubal, Meshech trade copper vessels and even human beings.
• Togarmah provides horses and mules.
• Dedan brings tusks and luxury goods.
• Aram supplies precious stones, fine linen, and pearls.
• Judah and Israel provide wheat, honey, oil, and balm.
• Damascus, Vedan, Javan, Sheba, Raamah, Haran, Canneh, Eden, and Assyria all participate with goods ranging from spices to textiles to finely crafted wares.
Tyre is portrayed as a world marketplace drawing wealth from every direction.
- Tyre’s Prosperity and Heavy Burden at Sea (Verse 25)
The “ships of Tarshish” represent Tyre’s trade fleet, which filled the city with wealth and made it “heavy in the heart of the seas”—a symbol of immense economic weight.
- The East Wind Shatters Tyre (Verses 26–27)
Despite her strength, Tyre is broken by an “east wind”—a metaphor for Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion. Her ship sinks: wealth, merchandise, sailors, craftsmen, traders, and warriors all plunge into the depths on the day of her downfall.
- The Mourning of the Seafaring Nations (Verses 28–32)
As Tyre collapses, mariners and sailors from neighboring regions cry out. They come ashore, cast dust on their heads, sit in ashes, tear their hair, and gird themselves with sackcloth. They lament bitterly: “Who is like Tyre, now silent in the midst of the sea?” Tyre, once a power that enriched kings, is mourned by all who depended on her commerce.
- Global Shock and Eternal Ruin (Verses 33–36)
When Tyre’s goods once emerged from the sea, she brought prosperity to many nations. Now, her destruction leaves kings trembling and merchants hissing in scorn. Tyre becomes a terror and disappears forever, never to rise again.
Key Message
This chapter portrays Tyre as the ultimate symbol of worldly beauty, wealth, and international influence—yet it collapses completely due to pride and arrogance. Through her fall, the world learns that no human power is secure against the judgment of Hashem.
