27:2 a lament Hebrew qinah—a specific poetic genre. See note on 19:1.

Tyre See note on 26:2.

27:3 the many coastlands Symbolic of the distant reaches of the inhabited world. See note on 26:15.

Tyre, you yourself said “I am perfect Ezekiel reports Tyre’s boast of her past glory. The prophet commonly recites the nation’s own words before pronouncing judgment against it (see 25:3; 26:2).

27:4 In the heart of the seas Tyre is a sea power whose influence is not limited by geographical boundaries.

27:5 pine trees from Senir Another name for Mount Hermon, the highest peak at the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains located between Tyre and Damascus (see Deut 3:8–9; Josh 11:17).

cedars from Lebanon One of the Phoenicians’ primary exports (see note on Isa 14:8).

27:6 with oaks from Bashan Another valuable commodity. Bashan was a fertile plateau east of the Sea of Galilee and south of Mount Hermon (or Senir; see note on Ezek 27:5).

inlaid ivory, with cypress trees from the coastlands of Imports from the Mediterranean island. The Phoenician colony of Kition was on the southeast coast of Cyprus.

27:7 fine linen with colorful weaving from Egypt A sign of luxury (see 16:10).

blue and purple cloth The Phoenicians had an advanced textile industry and created blue and purple dye from the mucus of Mediterranean sea snails. Compare note on 23:6.

the coastlands of Cyprus Since Tyre already had access to sea snails for its own textile industry, the use of imports from Cyprus may indicate that it had a significantly high-quality product.

27:8 Sidon and Arvan Phoenician cities on the Mediterranean coast north of Tyre. Sidon was about 25 miles north, Arvad 110 miles north. While each Phoenician city-state was autonomous, Tyre appears to have been dominant at this time.

27:9 Gebal Another Phoenician coastal city. Gebal was about 60 miles north of Tyre. The Greeks called it “Byblos”; since the city’s major export was writing material, the Greek word for “scroll” or “book” was taken from the city’s name.

their mariners The Hebrew word here is rare in the Bible, appearing only in this passage and in Jonah 1:5. The meaning—usually rendered “mariners” or “sailors”—is understood from context and from its use in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian, Aramaic, and Arabic.

27:10 Persia and Lud and Put Ezekiel refers to these nations to highlight Tyre’s far-reaching influence in the ancient world—far to the east, to the northwest, and to the southwest. Persia is western Iran. Lud is Lydia, a Greek city in central Turkey. Put is Libya, in North Africa.

27:11 Helech Probably best understood as the proper name of a place. A place called Helech is not mentioned elsewhere in the ot, but Assyrian annals mention a place known as Hilakku in southeastern Turkey. Alternately, the Hebrew word could be understood as a common noun with a suffix, so helekh could mean “your army.” This word for an army is also used in Ezek 17:7.

Gammadites The location of Gammad (also rendered “Gamad”) is uncertain. It could be in southeastern Turkey or north along the Mediterranean coast.

27:12 Tarshish Tarshish represents the furthest extent of the known world to the west (see note on Jonah 1:3).

27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech These names are mentioned in Gen 10:2 as sons of Japheth (Noah’s son). Javan was the biblical name for Greece. Tubal and Meshech (also rendered “Meshek”) likely were locations in central and northeastern Turkey, respectively.

27:14 Beth Togarmah Another name from the Table of Nations (see Gen 10:3). Assyrian records suggest the location was in the area of modern Armenia.

27:15 Dedan Either a reference to an oasis and trading center in north central Arabia (see Gen 10:7) or to an island in the Aegean Sea. The Hebrew text reads Dedan—a location in Arabia. The Greek Septuagint reads Rhodes—the island in the Aegean.

27:16 Edom Israel’s neighbor northeast of the Sea of Galilee and Phoenicia’s neighbor to the east. The capital city is Damascus (see Ezek 27:18).

27:17 wheat from Minnith Possibly referring to wheat exported from Ammon. Minnith appears in Judg 11:33, apparently as one of the 20 Ammonite towns. Its precise location is uncertain.

27:18 Damascus Capital city of Syria (Aram), located roughly 60 miles northeast of Tyre (see note on Ezek 27:16).

the wine of Helbon and white wool Probably goods from Syria, northwest of Damascus.

27:19 cinnamon An aromatic herb used to make perfume; likely imported from India by way of south Arabia.

reed spice A reed used for making spices; probably the same as the aromatic cane mentioned in Exod 30:23.

27:21 Kedar An important nomadic tribe based in northwest Arabia. See note on Isa 21:16.

27:22 Sheba and Raamah Sheba was an important trading center in southwestern Arabia. The only other mention of Raamah in the ot is the Table of Nations in Gen 10:7, also associated with Sheba. See note on Isa 60:6.

27:23 Haran An Aramaean city in upper Mesopotamia on the Balikh River. Abram’s family settled there after leaving Ur (see Gen 11:31).

Canneh Probably the same as Assyrian Kannu, but the precise location is unknown.

Eden Referring to an Aramaean state west of Haran (also rendered “Harran”) known in Assyrian sources as Bit Adini.

Assyria Ashur (also rendered “Asshur”) was the original capital city of Assyria, as well as the name of its primary deity.

Kilmad Unknown outside this reference.

27:25 The ships of Tarshish See Ezek 27:12 and note. The phrase could refer to Phoenician ships bound for Tarshish, though it is likely that Tarshish was a Phoenician colony. See note on Isa 2:16.

you became very heavy in the heart of The list of merchandise and trading partners ends with a return to the metaphorical depiction of Tyre as a commercial vessel loaded down with wares.

27:27 they will fall in the heart of the seas The heavily laden ship sinks with all hands and all merchandise.

27:29 they will go down from their ships Those who mourn over Tyre are also sailors who leave their ships to watch Tyre sink.

27:30 they will throw dust on their heads, and they will roll in the dust Symbolic mourning rituals (see Job 30:19).

27:31 They will shave themselves bald Part of mourning rituals (see Ezek 7:18 and note).

27:32 Who is like Tyre, like this destruction The short lamentation by the mourners in vv. 32–36 recaps the entire oracle, recalling Tyre’s wealth, worldwide influence, and ultimate demise at sea.