Ezekiel 27:25
The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.
Original Language Analysis
תַּרְשִׁ֔ישׁ
of Tarshish
H8659
תַּרְשִׁ֔ישׁ
of Tarshish
Strong's:
H8659
Word #:
2 of 9
tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i
שָׁרוֹתַ֖יִךְ
did sing
H7788
שָׁרוֹתַ֖יִךְ
did sing
Strong's:
H7788
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, to turn, i.e., travel about (as a harlot or a merchant)
מַעֲרָבֵ֑ךְ
of thee in thy market
H4627
מַעֲרָבֵ֑ךְ
of thee in thy market
Strong's:
H4627
Word #:
4 of 9
traffic; by implication, mercantile goods
וַתִּמָּלְאִ֧י
and thou wast replenished
H4390
וַתִּמָּלְאִ֧י
and thou wast replenished
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
5 of 9
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
וַֽתִּכְבְּדִ֛י
glorious
H3513
וַֽתִּכְבְּדִ֛י
glorious
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
6 of 9
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
מְאֹ֖ד
and made very
H3966
מְאֹ֖ד
and made very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
Historical Context
Tarshish likely refers to distant western Mediterranean locations (possibly Spain). That ships from such distance traded at Tyre demonstrates the extent of Tyrian commercial networks. At its peak, Tyre was indeed glorious, controlling Mediterranean trade. Yet as Ezekiel prophesied, this glory ended with Babylonian and later Alexandrian conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God speak of future judgment as past tense?
- What glories in our lives might already be finished from God's perspective?
- Why should present prosperity not create false security?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market refers to Tarshish ships (large merchant vessels capable of long voyages) trading at Tyre and celebrating the city's wealth. Thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas summarizes Tyre's peak prosperity and fame. The irony: this glory is past tense from God's perspective—already finished, already fallen. God speaks of future judgment as accomplished fact because His decrees are certain. What God declares done is done, regardless of present appearances. Tyre's glory is already past, though she doesn't know it yet.