Lexical Summary ashur or ashurim: Asshur, Asshurim Original Word: אֲשֻׁר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ashurite Contracted for t'ashshuwr; the cedar tree or some other light elastic wood -- Ashurite. see HEBREW t'ashshuwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ashar Definition perhaps boxwood (a kind of wood) NASB Translation boxwood (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs תְּאַשּׁוּר noun feminine box-tree (on form compare Sta§ 267) Isaiah 41:19; Isaiah 60:13; Ezekiel 27:6 (compare above) a small evergreen tree about 20 feet high, growing on Lebanon, Bo TristrNat. Hist. Bib 339, so ᵑ9 ᵑ7 RV. (Others sherbîn, a species of cedar distinguished by the smallness of its cones and the upward direction of its branches, compare Thes Rob-Ges.) Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Translation Strong’s Hebrew 839 (אֲשֻׁר, ’ashur) appears once, in Ezekiel 27:6. Most conservative English translations render it “boxwood” (or a similar hard, fine-grained timber) rather than a proper name. The Berean Standard Bible reads: “They crafted your oars from the oaks of Bashan and made your deck of cypress wood inlaid with ivory from the coasts of Cyprus.” The phrase “cypress wood” translates ’ashur, here presented as the prized timber that formed the planking or deck-boards of Tyre’s great merchant ships. Historical and Geographic Setting Ezekiel 27 is the prophet’s lament over Tyre, the Phoenician trade capital famous for its harbors. During the sixth century BC Tyre dominated Mediterranean commerce, importing luxury goods and rare materials from every corner of the known world. Hard, fragrant boxwood grew mainly on mountain slopes in Lebanon, Syria, and parts of Asia Minor; its mention signals Tyre’s reach into distant forests and her ability to select only the best resources for shipbuilding. The “coasts of Cyprus” (Hebrew, “Kittim”) complete the picture: wood harvested in the north was fashioned in shipyards on Cyprus and then shipped to Tyre, showing an intricate supply chain. Material Culture and Maritime Commerce 1. Rarity and Durability: Ancient sources praise boxwood for density, resistance to rot, and ability to take a high polish—ideal for the high-traffic deck surface (“board,” “benches,” or “paneling”) of an ocean-going vessel. Prophetic Significance in Ezekiel Ezekiel catalogs Tyre’s materials to heighten the shock of her downfall. The prophet moves from rigging (verse 5) to oars (verse 6a) to decks (verse 6b), showcasing craftsmanship before announcing catastrophe (verse 27). ’Ashur thus becomes a narrative tool: the very luxury that testifies to Tyre’s greatness amplifies God’s judgment when her ships sink and her trade perishes (Ezekiel 27:26-27). The verse reminds readers that worldly splendor cannot shield a nation from the Lord’s verdict. Theological and Ministry Reflections • Transient Glory: The finest timber of the ancient world could not prevent Tyre’s ruin. Believers are warned against trusting economic power rather than the Lord (Proverbs 11:28; Matthew 6:19-21). Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References Isaiah 41:19; Isaiah 60:13 – both mention “box trees” (different Hebrew word, תְּאַשּׁוּר) in prophetic restoration imagery, providing an ironic counterpoint to Tyre’s misuse. 1 Kings 6:15-22 – Solomon’s lavish woodwork shows that excellence in materials is commendable when dedicated to God’s glory. James 1:11 – flourishing wealth withers like grass under the sun, echoing Ezekiel’s portrait of Tyre. Forms and Transliterations אֲשֻׁרִ֔ים אשרים ’ă·šu·rîm ’ăšurîm ashuRimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 27:6 HEB: שֵׁן֙ בַּת־ אֲשֻׁרִ֔ים מֵאִיֵּ֖י [כִּתִּיִּם NAS: your deck of boxwood from the coastlands KJV: the company of the Ashurites have made INT: ivory the company of boxwood the coastlands Chittim 1 Occurrence |
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