Ezekiel 27:1
The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Ezekiel prophesied from Babylon during the exile (593-571 BC). Chapter 27 continues the Tyre oracle begun in chapter 26, delivered after Jerusalem's fall in 586 BC. The prophet had never visited Tyre, yet describes its commercial operations with remarkable accuracy—evidence of divine revelation, not firsthand knowledge. Archaeological discoveries, including Phoenician shipwrecks and trade records, confirm Ezekiel's description of Tyre's Mediterranean network. The 'word of the LORD' coming 'again' suggests multiple prophetic sessions—God progressively revealed the full scope of judgment against Tyre. This pattern of successive revelations appears throughout Ezekiel (multiple oracles against Egypt, etc.).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the repeated formula 'the word of the LORD came' challenge modern skepticism about divine revelation and biblical authority?
- What does God's detailed knowledge of Tyre's commercial operations reveal about His sovereignty over secular economic systems?
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Analysis & Commentary
The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying—The Hebrew prophetic formula vayehi davar-YHWH elay (וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה אֵלַי) marks divine initiative. The word "again" (Hebrew od, עוֹד) indicates continuation of the Tyre oracle from chapter 26. God hasn't finished addressing Tyre's judgment. This introductory verse signals that what follows isn't Ezekiel's literary invention but divinely revealed prophecy.
The simplicity of this formula should not obscure its significance: "The word of the LORD came" asserts that Scripture originates from God, not human imagination. The prophets didn't speculate about Tyre's future based on geopolitical analysis—though they understood current events, their prophecies came by divine revelation. This claim to direct divine communication separates biblical prophecy from ancient Near Eastern divination and modern political punditry. Ezekiel's detailed economic and maritime description of Tyre (chapter 27) came supernaturally, demonstrating God's comprehensive knowledge and sovereign control over nations.