Ezekiel 27:1-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 27:1-25

Here, I. The prophet is ordered to take up a lamentation for Tyrus, Ezek. 27:2. It was yet in the height of its prosperity, and there appeared not the least symptom of its decay; yet the prophet must lament it, because its prosperity is its snare, is the cause of its pride and security, which will make its fall the more grievous. Even those that live at ease are to be lamented if they be not preparing for trouble. He must lament it because its ruin is hastening on apace; it is sure, it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 27:1

The word of the Lord came again unto me ,.... Upon the same subject, the destruction of Tyre: saying ; as follows: read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 27:2

Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus. Compose an elegy, and sing it; make a mournful noise, and deliver out a funeral ditty; such as the "praeficae", or mournful women, made at funerals, in which they said all they could in praise of the dead, and made very doleful lamentations for them: this the prophet was to do in a prophetic manner, for the confirmation of what was prophesied of by him; and it may teach us, that even wicked men are to be pitied, when in distress and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 27:3

And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea ,.... Of the Mediterranean sea; at the eastern part of it, not above half a mile from the continent; and so fit for a seaport, and a harbour for shipping; so mystical Tyre sits on many waters, Revelation 17:1 , which art a merchant of the people for many isles ; the inhabitants of many isles brought the produce of them to her; who took them off their hands, or sold them for them to others; these came from several... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 27:4

Thy borders are in the midst of the seas , Fixed by the Lord himself, and which could never be removed. Tyre stood about half a mile from the continent, surrounded with the waters of the sea, till it was made a peninsula by Alexander: thy builders have perfected thy beauty . The Sidonians were the first builders of the city, as Justin F17 Ex Trago, l. 18. c. 3. says; who began and carried on the building of it to the utmost of their knowledge and skill; and which was afterwards... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 27:5

They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir ,.... The same with Sion and Hermon, which the Sidonians called Sirion, and the Amorites Shenir, Deuteronomy 3:9 here, it seems, grew the best of fir trees, of which the Tyrians made boards and planks for shipping; of these the two sides of the ship, as the word F18 לחותים "tabulata duplicia", Munster; "duas tabulas", Vatablus. here used in the dual number is thought to signify, or the fore and hind decks, were made. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 27:6

Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars ,.... To row the ships with; for their ships probably were no other than galleys, which were rowed with oars, as were the ships of first invention. Bashan was a country in Judea where oaks grew; see Isaiah 2:13 . The country of Judea in general was famous for oaks; it abounded with them in the times of Homer F20 χωρω ενιδρυοεντ', ιουδης εν πιονι δημω . Homer. Iliad. 2. Vid. Dickinson, Delphi Phoenicix. c. 2. p. 13, 16. , who speaks of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 27:7

Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt ,.... From whence came the finest and whitest linen; and which they embroidered with needlework, which looked very beautiful. Pliny F24 Nat. Hist. l. 19. c. 1. says there were four sorts of linen in Egypt, called Tanitic, Pelusiac, Butic, and Tentyritic, from the names and provinces where they were produced; of the second sort the garments of the high priest among the Jews were made; for they say F25 Misn. Yoma, c. 3. sect. 7. , on the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 27:2

Take up a lamentation for Tyrus - This is a singular and curious chapter. It gives a very circumstantial account of the trade of Tyre with different parts of the world, and the different sorts of merchandise in which she trafficked. The places and the imports are as regularly entered here as they could have been in a European custom-house. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 27:3

The entry of the sea - Tyre was a small island, or rather rock, in the sea, at a short distance from the main land. We have already seen that there was another Tyre on the main land; but they are both considered as one city. read more

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