Ezekiel Chapter 27 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

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They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.

Original Language Analysis

פָּרַ֨ס They of Persia H6539
פָּרַ֨ס They of Persia
Strong's: H6539
Word #: 1 of 14
paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants
וְל֤וּד and of Lud H3865
וְל֤וּד and of Lud
Strong's: H3865
Word #: 2 of 14
lud, the name of two nations
וּפוּט֙ and of Phut H6316
וּפוּט֙ and of Phut
Strong's: H6316
Word #: 3 of 14
put, a son of ham, also the name of his descendants or their region, and of a persian tribe
הָי֣וּ H1961
הָי֣וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 4 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְחֵילֵ֔ךְ were in thine army H2428
בְחֵילֵ֔ךְ were in thine army
Strong's: H2428
Word #: 5 of 14
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
אַנְשֵׁ֖י H376
אַנְשֵׁ֖י
Strong's: H376
Word #: 6 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מִלְחַמְתֵּ֑ךְ of war H4421
מִלְחַמְתֵּ֑ךְ of war
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 7 of 14
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
מָגֵ֤ן the shield H4043
מָגֵ֤ן the shield
Strong's: H4043
Word #: 8 of 14
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
וְכוֹבַע֙ and helmet H3553
וְכוֹבַע֙ and helmet
Strong's: H3553
Word #: 9 of 14
a helmet (as arched)
תִּלּוּ they hanged H8518
תִּלּוּ they hanged
Strong's: H8518
Word #: 10 of 14
to suspend (especially to gibbet)
בָ֔ךְ H0
בָ֔ךְ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 14
הֵ֖מָּה H1992
הֵ֖מָּה
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 12 of 14
they (only used when emphatic)
נָתְנ֥וּ in thee they set forth H5414
נָתְנ֥וּ in thee they set forth
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 13 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הֲדָרֵֽךְ׃ thy comeliness H1926
הֲדָרֵֽךְ׃ thy comeliness
Strong's: H1926
Word #: 14 of 14
magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor

Analysis & Commentary

They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war (אַנְשֵׁי מִלְחַמְתֵּךְ, anshei milchamtekh)—Tyre hired mercenaries from vast geographic extremes: Persia (modern Iran, far east), Lud (Lydia in Asia Minor, northeast), and Phut (Libya/North Africa, southwest). These weren't allies but paid soldiers (anshei milchamah, "men of war"), revealing Tyre's wealth could purchase military protection from the known world's edges. They hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness (הֵמָּה נָתְנוּ הֲדָרֵךְ, hemmah nathnu hadarekh)—the displayed weaponry served dual purpose: defense and hadar ("splendor/majesty"), turning military might into aesthetic boasting.

Tyre's security rested on hired foreigners, not covenant relationship with the living God. Compare Israel: God Himself fought their battles when they trusted Him (Exodus 14:14). Tyre's judgment exposes the futility of military pageantry divorced from divine favor.

Historical Context

The Persian Empire had not yet risen to dominance when Ezekiel prophesied (c. 586 BC)—this either refers to Persia as a region/people or demonstrates prophetic foresight. Lud (Lydia) in western Asia Minor was famous for its wealth and military prowess. Phut (likely Libya) represented North African military power. Ancient Near Eastern kingdoms regularly employed mercenaries; the Phoenician cities, lacking large native populations, relied heavily on hired troops. The practice of displaying shields on city walls appears in ancient reliefs and texts as both defense and prestige.

Questions for Reflection