The dirge of Tyre written in poetical form. Tyre is compared to a fair vessel, to whose equipment the various nations of the world contribute, launching forth in majesty, to be wrecked and to perish. The nations enumerated point out Tyre as the center of commerce between the eastern and western worl... [ Continue Reading ]
ENTRY - literally, “entries.” Ancient Tyre had two ports, that called the Sidonian to the north, the Egyptian to the south; the former exists to the present day. The term “entry of the sea” is naturally enough applied to a harbor as a place from which ships enter and return from the sea. The city wa... [ Continue Reading ]
FIR-TREES (OR, CYPRESS) OF SENIR - The name by which the Amorites knew Mount Hermon.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COMPANY ... IVORY - Rather, “thy benches (or, deck) made they of ivory with boxwood” (or, larch), i. e., boxwood inlaid with ivory. THE ISLES - (or, coasts) of Chittim is a phrase used constantly for Greece and the Grecian islands. It may probably be extended to other islands in the Mediterrane... [ Continue Reading ]
Or, “Fine linen Genesis 41:42 with embroidery from Egypt was” thy sail that it might be to thee for a banner. Sails from Egypt were worked with various figures upon them which served as a device. Their boats had no separate pennons. BLUE AND PURPLE - Tyrian purple was famous. The Tyrians no doubt i... [ Continue Reading ]
ARVAD - See Genesis 10:18. An island off the coast of Sidon, now called Ruad.... [ Continue Reading ]
GEBAL - i. e., Byblos (modern Gebeil) in Phoenicia, the chief seat of the worship of Adonis, and situated on an eminence over-looking the river Adonis, north of Beirut, not far from the Mediterranean sea. The “ancients” is a term for the council that presided over maritime cities.... [ Continue Reading ]
The prophet here leaves the allegory of the ship to describe the armies of the Tyrians composed of mercenary soldiers. Ezekiel 27:10 PERSIA - The name of this people does not occur in the more ancient books of the Old Testament; but in the books of the exile and after the exile it is frequent. Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
The thread broken at Ezekiel 27:8 is taken up, and the various nations are enumerated which traded with Tyre. Ezekiel 27:12 TARSHISH - Tartessus in Spain (marginal references). Spain was rich in the metals named. MERCHANT - Especially applied to those who traveled about with caravans to carry on... [ Continue Reading ]
DID SING OF THEE - Or, were thy bulwarks, i. e., bulwarks of thy traffic. Others render it: “were thy caravans,” thy merchandise.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EAST WIND - Compare the marginal reference... [ Continue Reading ]
All who have been enumerated as sharing in, and constituting, the glory of Tyre are now recounted as partakers in her wreck.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SUBURBS - Or, “precincts.” Tyre rose from the midst of the sea; her “precincts” were the surrounding waters and the adjoining coasts.... [ Continue Reading ]
As Tyre is figured by a large vessel, so are the subject-states by smaller boats which accompany the great ship. These terrified by the storm approach the land. Tyre is hopelessly swallowed up, crew and all, in the midst of the sea. The small crafts escape to shore.... [ Continue Reading ]
UTTERLY BALD - See Ezekiel 7:18 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
The news of Tyre’s ruin shall reach to distant isles, to merchant cities who trade with her. These in their selfish love of gain shall rejoice over her who was once paramount over them, hissing out against her curses and scorn.... [ Continue Reading ]