Ezekiel 27:34
In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.
Original Language Analysis
עֵ֛ת
In the time
H6256
עֵ֛ת
In the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
1 of 10
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
נִשְׁבֶּ֥רֶת
when thou shalt be broken
H7665
נִשְׁבֶּ֥רֶת
when thou shalt be broken
Strong's:
H7665
Word #:
2 of 10
to burst (literally or figuratively)
מִיַּמִּ֖ים
by the seas
H3220
מִיַּמִּ֖ים
by the seas
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
3 of 10
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
מָ֑יִם
of the waters
H4325
מָ֑יִם
of the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
5 of 10
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
מַעֲרָבֵ֥ךְ
thy merchandise
H4627
מַעֲרָבֵ֥ךְ
thy merchandise
Strong's:
H4627
Word #:
6 of 10
traffic; by implication, mercantile goods
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Tyre's commercial catalog (27:12-24) shows trade in silver, iron, tin, lead, slaves, horses, ivory, ebony, wine, wool, spices, gold, precious stones—virtually everything valuable in the ancient world. Kings relied on Tyrian goods and expertise. Solomon used Tyrian craftsmen for the temple (1 Kings 5:1-12). But this economic power bred spiritual pride that demanded judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How can economic prosperity become spiritual poison if it leads to self-sufficiency?
- What is the difference between stewarding wealth for God's glory and trusting wealth as security?
- How should believers relate to commerce and wealth in light of Tyre's example?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people—Tyre's commercial reach: עִזְבוֹנַיִךְ (ʿizbônayik, 'your merchandise') מִיַּמִּים (miyyammîm, 'from the seas') הִשְׂבַּעַתְּ עַמִּים רַבִּים (hisbaʿat ʿammîm rabbîm, 'satisfied many peoples'). The verb שָׂבַע (sābaʿ, 'to be satisfied/filled') suggests Tyre provided abundance.
Thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise—Tyre's wealth enriched monarchs: הֶעֱשַׁרְתְּ מַלְכֵי־אָרֶץ (heʿeshartĕ malkhê-ʾāreṣ, 'you made rich the kings of earth'). But wealth without worship, commerce without covenant, produces judgment. Tyre's error was self-sufficiency (28:2—'thou hast said, I am a God'). Prosperity became pride, trade became trust, wealth replaced worship. Her riches couldn't save her—highlighting that material abundance, while potentially good, becomes idolatrous when divorced from acknowledging God as ultimate provider (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).