Ezekiel 27:34
Now you are shattered by the seas in the depths of the waters; your merchandise and the people among you have gone down with you.
Now you are shattered by the seas
This phrase reflects the judgment and destruction that has come upon Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city known for its maritime prowess and trade. The imagery of being "shattered by the seas" symbolizes the overwhelming force of God's judgment, as the sea was both a source of wealth and a potential threat. In biblical literature, the sea often represents chaos and danger (Psalm 46:2-3). Tyre's reliance on the sea for its prosperity becomes its downfall, illustrating the biblical principle that what one trusts in apart from God can lead to destruction (Jeremiah 17:5-6).

in the depths of the waters
The "depths of the waters" emphasize the totality and finality of Tyre's destruction. This imagery suggests a complete submersion, indicating that Tyre's fall is not just a surface-level defeat but a profound and irreversible one. The depths also evoke the idea of Sheol, the realm of the dead, further underscoring the city's demise (Ezekiel 26:19-21). Historically, Tyre was a city with both a mainland and an island part, making the sea a literal and figurative element of its identity and downfall.

your merchandise and the people among you have gone down with you
This phrase highlights the economic and social impact of Tyre's destruction. Tyre was renowned for its trade and wealth, as detailed earlier in Ezekiel 27, which lists its extensive commercial network. The loss of merchandise signifies the collapse of its economic power, while the mention of "the people among you" indicates the loss of life and community. This serves as a warning against the pride and self-sufficiency that can accompany wealth (Proverbs 11:28). The fall of Tyre prefigures the ultimate judgment of Babylon in Revelation 18, where similar language is used to describe the fall of a great commercial power.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Tyre
An ancient and wealthy city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, known for its trade and commerce. In Ezekiel 27, Tyre is depicted as a magnificent ship that ultimately meets destruction.

2. The Seas
Symbolic of chaos and destruction in biblical literature. In this context, the seas represent the forces that bring about Tyre's downfall.

3. Merchants and Mariners
The people involved in Tyre's trade, representing the city's economic strength and its reliance on commerce.

4. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who delivers messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile.

5. Babylonian Exile
The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, during which Ezekiel prophesied.
Teaching Points
The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Wealth
Tyre's destruction serves as a reminder that material wealth and human achievements are temporary and can be lost in an instant.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The fall of Tyre illustrates God's control over the rise and fall of nations, emphasizing His ultimate authority.

The Danger of Pride and Self-Reliance
Tyre's confidence in its wealth and trade led to its downfall, warning against pride and reliance on human strength rather than God.

The Call to Trust in God Alone
In times of uncertainty and chaos, believers are encouraged to place their trust in God, who is sovereign over all circumstances.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of Tyre as a ship shattered by the seas help us understand the nature of God's judgment?

2. In what ways can the account of Tyre's downfall serve as a warning to modern societies that prioritize wealth and commerce?

3. How does the theme of God's sovereignty in Ezekiel 27:34 relate to other biblical passages that discuss God's control over nations?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our trust is in God rather than in material possessions or human achievements?

5. How can the lessons from Tyre's destruction encourage us to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on God's kingdom rather than earthly success?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 23
This chapter also prophesies the downfall of Tyre, emphasizing the temporary nature of human wealth and power.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon in Revelation parallels the fall of Tyre, symbolizing the ultimate judgment on worldly systems that oppose God.

Psalm 107:23-30
Describes the power of God over the seas, highlighting His control over chaos and destruction.
A Celebration of Remarkable ProsperityW. Jones Ezekiel 27:1-36
A Proud CityW. Greenhill, M. A.Ezekiel 27:1-36
God's Observation of Our Business HoursEzekiel 27:1-36
Responsibility of City RulersT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Fate of TyreJ. Parker, D. D.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Position of Tyre on Land and SeaT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Sin of TyreJohn Skinner, M. A.Ezekiel 27:1-36
Wreck of a Stately ShipJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Bewailing of the CityJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 27:28-36
People
Aram, Ashurites, Dan, Dedan, Elishah, Ezekiel, Haran, Javan, Kedar, Kittim, Kittites, Lud, Lydia, Meshech, Phut, Tarshish, Togarmah, Tubal, Uzal, Zidon
Places
Arabia, Arvad, Asshur, Bashan, Canneh, Chilmad, Cyprus, Damascus, Dedan, Egypt, Elishah, Gamad, Gebal, Haran, Helbon, Helech, Javan, Kedar, Lebanon, Lud, Meshech, Minnith, Persia, Put, Sahar, Senir, Sheba, Sidon, Syria, Tarshish, Tigris-Euphrates Region, Tubal, Tyre, Uzal
Topics
Assemblage, Assembly, Broken, Company, Crew, Deep, Depths, Fall, Fallen, Goods, Merchandise, Midst, Seas, Sunk, Wares, Wast, Waters, Wrecked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 27:1-36

     5587   trade

Ezekiel 27:2-36

     5899   lament

Ezekiel 27:25-36

     5517   seafaring

Library
Third Circuit of Galilee. The Twelve Instructed and Sent Forth.
^A Matt. IX. 35-38; X. 1, 5-42; XI. 1; ^B Mark VI. 6-13; ^C Luke IX. 1-6. ^b 6 And he ^a Jesus ^b went about ^a all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner sickness and all manner of sickness. [In the first circuit of Galilee some of the twelve accompanied Jesus as disciples (see [3]Section XXXIII.); in the second the twelve were with him as apostles; in the third they, too, are sent forth as evangelists to supplement
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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