Ezekiel 27:8
The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.
Original Language Analysis
יֹשְׁבֵ֤י
The inhabitants
H3427
יֹשְׁבֵ֤י
The inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
צִידוֹן֙
of Zidon
H6721
צִידוֹן֙
of Zidon
Strong's:
H6721
Word #:
2 of 12
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
הָי֥וּ
H1961
הָי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׁטִ֖ים
were thy mariners
H7751
שָׁטִ֖ים
were thy mariners
Strong's:
H7751
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, to push forth; (but used only figuratively) to lash, i.e., (the sea with oars) to row; by implication, to travel
Cross References
Genesis 10:18And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.1 Kings 9:27And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.Ezekiel 27:11The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.
Historical Context
Zidon (modern Sidon, Lebanon) was Phoenicia's oldest city, mentioned in Genesis 10:15. Arvad (modern Arwad, Syria) was the northernmost Phoenician city-state, built entirely on an island. By Ezekiel's time (586 BC), Tyre had eclipsed both cities commercially, employing their seamen while monopolizing navigation expertise. Archaeological evidence shows Phoenician ships required crews of 20-30 oarsmen, with pilots navigating by stars and coastal landmarks.
Questions for Reflection
- How does reliance on others' labor while hoarding knowledge and status reflect pride that invites God's judgment?
- In what ways does modern economic hierarchy mirror Tyre's system of foreign workers and domestic elites?
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Analysis & Commentary
The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners (מַלָּחַיִךְ מַלָּחִים, mallachayikh)—the Hebrew mallach means "sailor" or "mariner," emphasizing Tyre's dependence on foreign expertise. Zidon (Sidon) was Tyre's sister Phoenician city-state, while Arvad was a northern Phoenician island fortress. Yet Tyre employed these rivals as mere oarsmen, reserving thy wise men...thy pilots (חֲכָמַיִךְ הֵמָּה חֹבְלָיִךְ, chakamayikh...chobhlayikh) for themselves. The chobhel (pilot/captain) required wisdom (chokmah), not just skill—highlighting Tyre's pride in intellectual superiority.
This verse reveals the economic hierarchy that fueled Tyre's arrogance: foreign labor beneath Tyrian management. God's judgment targets not merely commerce, but the pride that made Tyre say "I am of perfect beauty" (v. 3). Compare Revelation 18's "Babylon," another commercial empire judged for self-exaltation.