A Lament for Tyre

1Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2“Now you, son of man, take up a lament for Tyre. 3Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, that this is what the Lord GOD says:

You have said, O Tyre,

‘I am perfect in beauty.’

4Your borders are in the heart of the seas;

your builders perfected your beauty.

5They constructed all your planking

with cypressa from Senir.b

They took a cedar from Lebanon

to make a mast for you.

6Of oaks from Bashan

they made your oars;

of wood from the coasts of Cyprusc

they made your deck, inlaid with ivory.

7Of embroidered fine linen from Egypt

they made your sail,

which served as your banner.

Of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah

they made your awning.

8The men of Sidon and Arvad

were your oarsmen.

Your men of skill, O Tyre,

were there as your captains.

9The elders of Gebal were aboard as shipwrights,

repairing your leaks.

All the ships of the sea and their sailors

came alongside to barter for your merchandise.

10Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put

served as warriors in your army.

They hung their shields and helmets on your walls;

they gave you splendor.

11Men of Arvad and Helech

manned your walls all around,

and the men of Gammad

were in your towers.

They hung their shields around your walls;

they perfected your beauty.

12Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares.

13Javan,d Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your merchandise.

14The men of Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares.

15The men of Dedane were your clients; many coastlands were your market; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony.

16Aramf was your customer because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies for your wares.

17Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith, cakes and honey, oil and balm for your merchandise.

18Because of your many products and your great wealth of goods, Damascus traded with you wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar, 19and casks of wine from Izal for your wares.g Wrought iron, cassia, and sweet caneh were exchanged for your merchandise.i

20Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding.

21Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers, trading in lambs, rams, and goats.

22The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your wares they exchanged gold, the finest of all spices, and precious stones.

23Haran, Canneh, and Eden traded with you, and so did the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad. 24In your marketplace they traded with you fine garments of blue, embroidered work, and multicolored rugs with cords tightly twisted and knotted.

25The ships of Tarshishj

carried your merchandise.

And you were filled with heavy cargo

in the heart of the sea.

26Your oarsmen have brought you

onto the high seas,

but the east wind will shatter you

in the heart of the sea.

27Your wealth, wares, and merchandise,

your sailors, captains, and shipwrights,

your merchants and all the warriors within you,

with all the other people on board,

will sink into the heart of the sea

on the day of your downfall.

28The countryside will shake

when your sailors cry out.

29All who handle the oars

will abandon their ships.

The sailors and all the captains of the sea

will stand on the shore.

30They will raise their voices for you

and cry out bitterly.

They will throw dust on their heads

and roll in ashes.

31They will shave their heads for you

and wrap themselves in sackcloth.

They will weep over you

with anguish of soul and bitter mourning.

32As they wail and mourn over you,

they will take up a lament for you:

‘Who was ever like Tyre,

silenced in the middle of the sea?

33When your wares went out to sea,

you satisfied many nations.

You enriched the kings of the earth

with your abundant wealth and merchandise.

34Now you are shattered by the seas

in the depths of the waters;

your merchandise and the people among you

have gone down with you.

35All the people of the coastlands

are appalled over you.

Their kings shudder with fear;

their faces are contorted.

36Those who trade among the nations

hiss at you;

you have come to a horrible end

and will be no more.’”

1. The Perils of Pride
Ezekiel 27 paints a vivid picture of Tyre's downfall, a city that was once the epitome of wealth and splendor. The chapter serves as a stark reminder that pride can lead to destruction. As it is written, "Your wealth, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners, your sailors, your repairers of seams, your dealers in merchandise, and all your men of war who are in you, with all your company which is in your midst, will fall into the heart of the seas on the day of your overthrow" (Ezekiel 27:27). Let this be a lesson to remain humble and recognize that all we have is a gift from God.

2. The Fragility of Human Glory
The chapter illustrates how quickly human glory can fade. Tyre, once a bustling hub of commerce, is reduced to ruins. This reminds us that earthly achievements are temporary. As believers, we are called to store up treasures in heaven, where "moth and rust do not destroy" (Matthew 6:20).

3. The Importance of Community
Ezekiel 27 highlights the interconnectedness of Tyre with other nations through trade. This serves as a reminder of the importance of community and relationships. We are called to love our neighbors and build each other up, as "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17).

4. The Consequences of Idolatry
Tyre's downfall is a result of its idolatry and reliance on wealth. The chapter warns us against placing anything above God. "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3) is a command that calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that God remains our first love.

5. The Sovereignty of God
Despite Tyre's might, it could not withstand the judgment of God. This chapter reminds us of God's sovereignty over all nations and events. "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof" (Psalm 24:1). Trust in His plan, for He is in control.

6. The Call to Repentance
Ezekiel 27 serves as a call to repentance. Just as Tyre faced consequences for its actions, we are reminded to turn from our sins and seek God's forgiveness. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out" (Acts 3:19).

7. The Value of Wisdom
The chapter describes the skilled craftsmen and traders of Tyre, emphasizing the value of wisdom and skill. As believers, we are encouraged to seek wisdom, for "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10).

8. The Reality of Judgment
Ezekiel 27 is a sobering reminder of the reality of God's judgment. It calls us to live righteously and be prepared for the day when we will stand before Him. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

9. The Hope of Restoration
While the chapter focuses on destruction, it also points to the hope of restoration. God's ultimate plan is to restore and redeem. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 21:4). Hold onto this hope in times of trial.

10. The Eternal Kingdom
Finally, Ezekiel 27 reminds us that earthly kingdoms will fall, but God's kingdom is eternal. "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations" (Psalm 145:13). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and His eternal reign.

Seek God's Guidance
Pray for wisdom to prioritize eternal values over temporary gains and to trust in God's sovereignty in all aspects of life.

Intercede for Nations
Pray for the leaders and nations of the world, that they may acknowledge God's authority and seek His guidance in their governance.

As we conclude this study, let us remember that the story of Tyre is not just a historical account but a timeless lesson on the dangers of pride and the importance of placing our trust in God. May we learn from Tyre's example and strive to live lives that honor God above all else.

2. In Ezekiel 27:12–23, are the extensive trade routes and goods mentioned supported by archaeological findings?

3. Does the mention of Tarshish and other distant lands in Ezekiel 27 align with known ancient geography and historical records?

4. Why does Ezekiel 27 portray Tyre as uniquely splendid when other contemporary sources suggest rivals of similar influence?

5. Does Ezekiel 27’s depiction of Tyre’s downfall conflict with later accounts of Alexander the Great’s conquest and the city’s partial rebuilding?

1. How does the metaphor of Tyre as a ship contribute to your understanding of its wealth and influence?

2. What do you think led to Tyre's downfall according to this chapter?

3. How does Ezekiel 27 speak to the dangers of excessive pride and self-reliance?

4. In what ways does the lament over Tyre resonate with modern examples of fallen empires or businesses?

5. How does the fall of Tyre illustrate the concept of divine justice?

6. How would you relate the story of Tyre's downfall to personal experiences of loss or failure?

7. In what ways does this chapter shed light on the global interconnectedness of societies, ancient and modern?

8. What lessons can current nations and economies learn from Tyre's downfall?

9. How might the prophecy against Tyre encourage humility in personal life?

10. In what ways does Tyre's story demonstrate the importance of investing in spiritual wealth over worldly wealth?

11. How does the prophecy in Ezekiel 27 add to your understanding of God's sovereignty?

12. What parallels can be drawn between the economic catastrophe of Tyre and the economic crises we face today?

13. How can we guard against the pride and self-sufficiency that led to Tyre's downfall?

14. How does the description of Tyre's trade relationships reflect the concept of global interdependence?

15. How can you use the example of Tyre to reflect on your relationships with others?

16. In what ways does this chapter inspire you to reflect on the transient nature of worldly success?

17. How can we ensure our successes do not lead us to a similar fate as Tyre?

18. In the face of a personal downfall, how can you maintain trust in God's providence?

19. What role does humility play in preventing the downfall experienced by Tyre?

20. How can the fall of Tyre inform your perspective on wealth and prosperity?