271 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me saying , 2 "And you, son of man , take up a lamentation over Tyre ; 3 and say to Tyre , who dwells at the entrance to the sea , merchant of the peoples to many coastlands , 'Thus says the Lord GOD , "O Tyre , you have said , 'I am perfect in beauty .' 4 "Your borders are in the heart of the seas ; Your builders have perfected your beauty . 5 "They have made all your planks of fir trees from Senir ; They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you. 6 "Of oaks from Bashan they have made your oars ; With ivory they have inlaid your deck of boxwood from the coastlands of Cyprus . 7 "Your sail was of fine embroidered linen from Egypt So that it became your distinguishing mark ; Your awning was blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah . 8 "The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers ; Your wise men , O Tyre , were aboard; they were your pilots . 9 "The elders of Gebal and her wise men were with you repairing your seams ; All the ships of the sea and their sailors were with you in order to deal in your merchandise . 10 " Persia and Lud and Put were in your army , your men of war . They hung shield and helmet in you; they set forth your splendor . 11 "The sons of Arvad and your army were on your walls , all around , and the Gammadim were in your towers . They hung their shields on your walls all around ; they perfected your beauty . 12 "Tarshish was your customer because of the abundance of all kinds of wealth ; with silver , iron , tin and lead they paid for your wares . 13 " Javan , Tubal and Meshech , they were your traders ; with the lives of men and vessels of bronze they paid for your merchandise . 14 "Those from Beth-togarmah e gave horses and war horses and mules for your wares . 15 "The sons of Dedan were your traders . Many coastlands were your market ; ivory tusks and ebony they brought as your payment . 16 " Aram was your customer because of the abundance of your goods ; they paid for your wares with emeralds , purple , embroidered work , fine linen , coral and rubies . 17 "Judah and the land of Israel , they were your traders ; with the wheat of Minnith , cakes , honey , oil and balm they paid for your merchandise . 18 " Damascus was your customer because of the abundance of your goods , because of the abundance of all kinds of wealth , because of the wine of Helbon and white wool . 19 "Vedan and Javan paid for your wares from Uzal ; wrought iron , cassia and sweet cane were among your merchandise . 20 " Dedan traded with you in saddlecloths for riding . 21 " Arabia and all the princes of Kedar , they were your customers for lambs , rams and goats ; for these they were your customers . 22 "The traders of Sheba and Raamah , they traded with you; they paid for your wares with the best of all kinds of spices , and with all kinds of precious stones and gold . 23 "Haran , Canneh , Eden , the traders of Sheba , Asshur and Chilmad traded with you. 24 "They traded with you in choice garments , in clothes of blue and embroidered work , and in carpets of many colors and tightly wound cords , which were among your merchandise . 25 "The ships of Tarshish were the carriers for your merchandise . And you were filled and were very glorious In the heart of the seas .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 27:1-25

Commentary on Ezekiel 27:1-25

(Read Ezekiel 27:1-25)

Those who live at ease are to be lamented, if they are not prepared for trouble. Let none reckon themselves beautified, any further than they are sanctified. The account of the trade of Tyre intimates, that God's eye is upon men when employed in worldly business. Not only when at church, praying and hearing, but when in markets and fairs, buying and selling. In all our dealings we should keep a conscience void of offence. God, as the common Father of mankind, makes one country abound in one commodity, and another in another, serviceable to the necessity or to the comfort and ornament of human life. See what a blessing trade and merchandise are to mankind, when followed in the fear of God. Besides necessaries, an abundance of things are made valuable only by custom; yet God allows us to use them. But when riches increase, men are apt to set their hearts upon them, and forget the Lord, who gives power to get wealth.