Ezekiel 27:8
The men of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen. Your men of skill, O Tyre, were there as your captains.
The men of Sidon and Arvad
Sidon and Arvad were ancient Phoenician cities known for their maritime prowess. Sidon, one of the oldest Phoenician cities, was renowned for its skilled sailors and shipbuilders. Arvad, an island city, was similarly famed for its naval capabilities. The mention of these cities highlights Tyre's reliance on the best maritime talent available, underscoring its status as a dominant seafaring power. Historically, these cities were part of a network of trade and cultural exchange, contributing to the wealth and influence of Tyre.

were your rowers
Rowers were essential for maneuvering ships, especially in the absence of favorable winds. The use of rowers from Sidon and Arvad suggests that Tyre employed the most skilled labor for its fleet, ensuring efficiency and reliability. This phrase emphasizes the importance of human effort and expertise in achieving success, a principle that resonates with the Christian understanding of stewardship and diligence.

your skilled men, O Tyre
The term "skilled men" refers to individuals with specialized knowledge and abilities. In the context of Tyre, this likely included navigators, shipbuilders, and traders. The Hebrew word for "skilled" often implies wisdom and understanding, qualities that are highly valued in the Bible. This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of using God-given talents for His glory and the advancement of His purposes.

were aboard
Being "aboard" signifies active participation and involvement in the operations of the ship. It implies readiness and commitment to the task at hand. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a call to be fully engaged in the work God has set before us, using our gifts and abilities to further His kingdom.

they were your pilots
Pilots were responsible for steering the ship and ensuring it reached its destination safely. This role required not only technical skill but also wisdom and discernment. In a biblical context, the concept of guidance and direction is often associated with God's leading. Just as pilots navigate the seas, believers are called to seek God's guidance in navigating the complexities of life, trusting in His wisdom and sovereignty.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Sidon
An ancient Phoenician city known for its skilled sailors and craftsmen. It was a significant maritime and trade center in the ancient world.

2. Arvad
An island city-state off the coast of modern-day Syria, also known for its seafaring and naval prowess. It contributed skilled rowers to Tyre's fleet.

3. Tyre
A prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth, trade, and maritime dominance. Tyre is often depicted in the Bible as a symbol of pride and worldly success.

4. Rowers
Individuals responsible for propelling the ships, indicating the importance of manpower and skill in Tyre's maritime operations.

5. Helmsmen
Skilled navigators and leaders aboard the ships, representing the expertise and leadership that guided Tyre's commercial ventures.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride
Tyre's reliance on its skilled men and wealth led to pride, which ultimately contributed to its downfall. We must guard against pride in our own lives, recognizing that all skills and successes are gifts from God.

The Importance of Community and Collaboration
The collaboration between Sidon, Arvad, and Tyre highlights the importance of working together and valuing the contributions of others. In the body of Christ, each member has a role to play.

The Transience of Worldly Success
Tyre's account is a reminder that worldly success and wealth are temporary. Our focus should be on eternal treasures and serving God's kingdom.

Leadership and Responsibility
The role of helmsmen underscores the importance of wise and responsible leadership. As Christians, we are called to lead with integrity and humility.

Dependence on God
While Tyre depended on its own resources and alliances, we are reminded to place our trust in God, who is the ultimate source of strength and guidance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the collaboration between Sidon, Arvad, and Tyre reflect the importance of community in our spiritual lives?

2. In what ways can pride manifest in our personal or professional lives, and how can we guard against it?

3. How does the account of Tyre challenge us to evaluate where we place our trust and security?

4. What lessons can we learn from the role of helmsmen in terms of leadership and responsibility in our own lives?

5. How can we apply the principle of valuing each member's contribution in the body of Christ, as seen in the collaboration of different cities in Tyre's fleet?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 23
This chapter also addresses Tyre, highlighting its downfall due to pride and reliance on wealth and trade, similar themes to those in Ezekiel 27.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon is depicted with imagery reminiscent of Tyre's downfall, emphasizing the transient nature of worldly wealth and power.

Proverbs 16:18
This verse speaks to the theme of pride leading to destruction, a key element in the account of Tyre's rise and fall.
The Beauty, Glory, and Replenishment of the City of TyreJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 27:1-25
A Celebration of Remarkable ProsperityW. Jones Ezekiel 27:1-36
A Proud CityW. Greenhill, M. A.Ezekiel 27:1-36
God's Observation of Our Business HoursEzekiel 27:1-36
Responsibility of City RulersT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Fate of TyreJ. Parker, D. D.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Position of Tyre on Land and SeaT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Sin of TyreJohn Skinner, M. A.Ezekiel 27:1-36
Wreck of a Stately ShipJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 27:1-36
People
Aram, Ashurites, Dan, Dedan, Elishah, Ezekiel, Haran, Javan, Kedar, Kittim, Kittites, Lud, Lydia, Meshech, Phut, Tarshish, Togarmah, Tubal, Uzal, Zidon
Places
Arabia, Arvad, Asshur, Bashan, Canneh, Chilmad, Cyprus, Damascus, Dedan, Egypt, Elishah, Gamad, Gebal, Haran, Helbon, Helech, Javan, Kedar, Lebanon, Lud, Meshech, Minnith, Persia, Put, Sahar, Senir, Sheba, Sidon, Syria, Tarshish, Tigris-Euphrates Region, Tubal, Tyre, Uzal
Topics
Aboard, Arvad, Boatmen, Guiding, Inhabitants, Mariners, O, Oarsmen, Pilots, Rowers, Seamen, Ships, Sidon, Skilled, Tyre, Tyrus, Wise, Zemer, Zidon
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 27:8

     5531   skill

Ezekiel 27:1-25

     5407   merchants

Ezekiel 27:1-36

     5587   trade

Ezekiel 27:2-36

     5899   lament

Ezekiel 27:3-9

     5517   seafaring

Ezekiel 27:8-9

     8365   wisdom, human

Library
Third Circuit of Galilee. The Twelve Instructed and Sent Forth.
^A Matt. IX. 35-38; X. 1, 5-42; XI. 1; ^B Mark VI. 6-13; ^C Luke IX. 1-6. ^b 6 And he ^a Jesus ^b went about ^a all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner sickness and all manner of sickness. [In the first circuit of Galilee some of the twelve accompanied Jesus as disciples (see [3]Section XXXIII.); in the second the twelve were with him as apostles; in the third they, too, are sent forth as evangelists to supplement
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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