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Book of Ezekiel
Chapter 27

Ezekiel Chapter 27 may be considered as the second part of the prophecy concerning Tyre. The prophet pursues his subject in the manner of those ancient lamentations or funeral songs, where the mourning women first spoke of whatever was great or praiseworthy in the deceased, and then mourned his death. Here the riches, glory and widespread commerce of Tyre are enlarged upon (27:1-25). Tyre’s downfall is then described in a beautiful parable, executed in a few words, with surprising briefness, good manners and clarity (27:26); in which all the maritime and commercial world are represented as grieved and astonished at her fate, and greatly alarmed for their own safety (27:27-36). The prophet arises in this chapter as a man of almost unbelievable ability, information and knowledge of world geography, agricultural and manufacturing products associated with the nations of the whole world, and of the art of ship-building. It is not known just how much of this incredible store of knowledge came from the divine prompting of the prophet, and how much of it came from his own personal knowledge. This is a very interesting Chapter to say the least.

Also, the view which this Chapter gives on the conduct of the Providence of GOD, and the example with which it furnishes the critic and those who love the LORD, a very elegant and highly finished piece of arrangement, it gives a very curious and interesting account of the wealth and commerce of ancient times. And to those that look for a city which hath foundations (Heb.11:10), it gives us a picture of the uncertainty and foolishness of all worldly things! Many of the places mentioned in ancient history have, like Tyre, long ago lost their political importance; the geographical situation of others cannot be traced; they have sunk in the deep waters (26:19) of extinction; the east wind (17:10; 19:12) hath carried them away. This seems to be intended to stain the pride of all worldly glory, and by setting the one over-against the other, to let us see the vanity and uncertainty of the riches, honors, and pleasures of the world, and what little reason we have to place our happiness in them or for us to be confident in continuing of them; so that all this is written for our learning.

Theme: Lamentation [funeral song] for Tyre.

Chapter 26 gave us the prophecy regarding the destruction of Tyre, and we saw that the prophecy was literally fulfilled. The ruins of Tyre today, stand as a witness to the precise accuracy of the Word of GOD. Tyre was a very impressive city in Ezekiel's day. Even though he may never have been there, he laments for Tyre in this Chapter. He laments the fact that this great city will fall. It was a great city, beautiful and magnificent! Chapter 27 is a sad and spectacular chapter in which Ezekiel compares Tyre, the capital of the Phoenician Empire, to a great ship that is wrecked. What better picture could there be for a seagoing people? So, what was it that brought Tyre down?

Lamentation for Tyre (27:1-36)

The riches and large commerce of Tyre (27:1-25)

Ezekiel 27:1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, (KJV)

The word of the Lord came again unto me . . . (18:1), about the same subject, the destruction of Tyre.
http://bibleatlas.org/tyre.htm     http://www.bible-history.com/geography/ancient-israel/tyre.html

Ezekiel 27:2 Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus; (KJV)

Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus . . . write an funeral song, and sing it; make a mournful noise, and deliver out a lamantation; like that of the prelude of mournful women, made at funerals, in which they said all they could in praise of the dead, and made a very sad lament for them. This Ezekiel was to do to  fore-warn them, to confirm what was prophesied of by him . . . that it may teach that even wicked men are to be pitied, when in distress and calamity. Ezekiel was to write a mournful story of Tyre's fall, tell the world what she was, and what shall happen to her; both the city and its inhabitants too.

Ezekiel 27:3 And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty. (KJV)

And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea . . . that art situate, that is located at the entry of the sea . . . Tyre was a short distance from the very door of the sea, far enough off to have great harbors between her and the continent, and to be out of danger of sudden surprises. The eastern part of it Tyre was about       
half a mile from the continent; very well fitted for a seaport, and a harbor for shipping . . . and too, so does mystical Tyre (Rome), sit on many waters (Rev.17:1).
Which art a merchant of the people for many isles. . . the people of many isles brought their products to Tyre; who took them off their hands, or sold them to others for them; these people came from several quarters to trade with Tyre in her markets; and who supplied other isles and countries with all sorts of commodities, for which they either brought to her, or she sent by ships unto them; so too, Rome is represented as the seat of merchandise in the latter days (Rev.18:7).   
Thus saith the Lord GOD, O Tyrus, thou hast said . . . in their heart, in their pride and with their mouth, praising and commending their self; which is unacceptable and wrong. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (KJV)
I am of perfect beauty . . . (27:3), Tyre was built on a good foundation, a rock; surrounded with walls and towers; the streets were arranged in perfect order, and filled with large, grand houses; having a good harbor for shipping, and being a market for all kinds of merchandise. Since Jerusalem was destroyed, Tyre now assumes her character (Ps.48:2). In plain words: simply put, Tyre’s pride and self-adulation knew no bounds, for she was extremely proud and arrogant.

*****What was it that brought Tyre down? The very same thing that brought down the rock-hewn city of Petra down, also brought down the great city of Tyre! Obadiah 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? (KJV) http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_obadiah.htm
Pride in their glory, their splendor and prosperity is the thing that has brought down many great nations of the world and reduced them to ruins. Pride also brings down many people to utter ruin as well!

Ezekiel 27:4 Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty. (KJV)

Thy borders are in the midst of the seas . . . Tyre’s borders were fixed by the LORD Himself, and which would not be removed. New Tyre stood about half a mile from the continent, surrounded with the waters of the sea, until it was made a peninsula by Alexander (26:14). .  https://www.ancient.eu/Tyre/
https://www.ancient.eu/article/107/alexanders-siege-of-tyre-332-bce/
Thy builders have perfected thy beauty . . . the Sidonians were supposedly the first builders of the city, 240 years before Solomon’s temple was built, who began and carried on the building of it to the utmost of their knowledge and skill; and which was afterwards perfected by other builders, who made it the most beautiful city in all those parts; unless this is to be understood of her shipbuilders, who brought the art of building ships in her to such a perfection, as made her famous throughout the world.  

Ezekiel 27:5 They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee. (KJV)

They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir . . . they; Tyre’s shipwrights. Made all the ship-boards; the planks, benches and portholes for their ships. Of fir trees; of the best and finest fir trees of Senir, fir-trees from Senir. Senir was the Amorite name for Mount Hermon (Deut.3:9). It seems Senir grew the best of fir trees, of which the Tyrians made boards and planks for ships. The Targum is, with fir trees of Senir they built for thee all thy bridges; the planks from which they went from one ship to another; but these are of too small consequence to be mentioned; but instead the main of the ship is intended, which was built of fir planks.
They have taken cedars from Lebanon, to make masts for thee . . . cedars from Lebanon, whose cedars excelled al others for height, strength, durableness, and pleasing smell, beside smoothness of grain, and fit for special carvings. Large poles were needed for the yards and sails to be fastened to, for getting the wind needed in navigation; called the main mast, the foremast, the mizzenmast and the boltsprit . . . all these are only in large ships. Whether the Tyrians had all of these is not certain; some they had, and those which they had were made of the cedars of Lebanon, because they were fit for this purpose. The Tyrians are said to be the first inventors of navigation. http://bibleatlas.org/senir.htm

*****Ship boards are planking for the sides of the ship. The word in the original is in the plural, with reference to the ship’s two sides. Senir was the Amorite name of Hermon, called by the Sido-nians Sirion (Deut.3:9). The timber brought there for the ship’s planking, was fir and was the same that was furnished by Hiram to Solomon for the floor of the Temple (1 Ki.6:15), and may have been either fir (spruce?) or cypress. The Scripture names of trees are not always well identified. Both trees were valued among the ancients for ship-building, especially the cypress, because of its lightness, durability and freedom from the attacks of worms.

Ezekiel 27:6 Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim. (KJV)

Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars . . . the oaks of Bashan were always celebrated (Isa.2:13; Zec.11:2), oaks were used to make oars to row the ships with; for their ships probably were no other than galleys, which were rowed with oars, as were all the ships of first invention. Bashan was a country in Judea where oaks grew (Isa.2:13). The country of Judea in general was famous for oaks.
The company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim . . . the benches for the rowers to sit on, or for others in the cabin and decks; but that these would be entirely of ivory is not very likely; nor was ivory brought from the isles of Chittim, but from other parts; nor is it easy to say who the company of the Ashurites were; maybe they were of the tribe of Asher (2 Sam.2:9). One supposes that these benches were made of box trees (Isa.41:19), covered or inlaid with ivory. The Targum is, the lintels of thy gates (the hatches) were planks of box tree inlaid with ivory. Phoenicia enjoyed a great reputation for its work in ivory (1 Ki.22:39; Ps.45:8).   http://bibleatlas.org/bashan.htm

Ezekiel 27:7 Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee. (KJV)

Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt . . . from Egypt came the finest and whitest linen; which they embroidered with very beautiful needlework. Fine linen was used to make the silken sails. The Phoenicians, of which Tyre was a principal city, took linen of Egypt, and traded with other nations with it, as well as made use of it for themselves; particularly with the Ethiopians, the inhabitants of the isle of Cernes, now called the Canaries, who took of them Egyptian goods, as linen, and traded it for ivory, the skins of lions, leopards, deer, and other creatures. http://bibleatlas.org/egypt.htm
Was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail . . . Tyre was not content with canvas or coarse linen, which would have done as well for sails . . . they had to have the finest Egyptian linen, and this was very beautifully embroidered, to make their sails of, which they spread upon their masts, to receive the wind . . . or at least this broidered work they spread for a flag, standard or ensign, when they hoisted up their colors on any occasion.
Blue and purple, from the isles of Elishah, was that which covered thee . . . some do not think this meant the clothing the master of the vessel or mariners wore, were made of cloth of these colors, but instead the tilts, tents or canopies erected on the decks, where they sat sheltered from the rain, wind or sun. These were made of material died a violet and purple color, the best they could get; and which they had gotten from the isles of Elishah, or the Aegean sea, from Coa, Rhodia, Nisyrus, and other places famous for purple, as Tyre itself afterwards was. The Targum is, from the province of Italy. (Rev.18:12). Others say the color of blue or purple  
was used to make the clothes for the great men and princes (Gen.41:42; Pro.31:22). Also see Eze.16:10. From the isles of Elishah . . . this could be the inhabitants from the sea-coast in the Lesser Asia, were excellent in the skill of dying wool, or this could be the Greek Aeolis on the western coast of Asia Minor. Tyre, having somewhat depleted the supply of the murex mollusk in the waters of Phoenicia, found an additional, abundant supply of these in the Greek isles. They were important in the making of purple dye. That which covered thee, he speaks here not of garments, but of the coverings they used in their ships or galleys. Their tilts, as our boatmen call them, the cloths they spread over their heads on ship-board, to keep them from sun and weather, were such as be fitted kings and princes for costliness and beauty. http://bibleatlas.org/elishah.htm

Ezekiel 27:8 The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots. (KJV)

The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners . . . the inhabitants of Zidon were famous all over the world for their skill at sea. Zidon was an ancient town and haven of Phoenicia, not far from Tyre.
Arvad was better known by its other name Aradus, an island belonging to Phoenicia, some say twenty, others say seven furlongs from the continent. Their mariners were rowers in their galleys: the rich Tyrians would not hire their own for such servants’ works, they hired strangers. These Zidonians and Arvadeans were once Tyre’s equals, but Tyre had now out-did them, and made them their servants. http://bibleatlas.org/arvad.htm
http://www.bible-history.com/geography/ancient-israel/sidon.html
Thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots . . . such, as had learned the art of navigation; were well versed in geography; understood the charts; knew the shores of different places; where were outcrops, rocks and sands were; these were brought up among themselves, and made pilots or governors. Pilots needed to be wise and educated that sit at the stern of a ship . . . from the ropes of the ship, which they as pilots must skillfully order, shifting sails according to the wind. The Tyrians were the best skilled pilots in that they were the best educated or wisest men among them, whom they had of their own, and trusted to be pilots, which this job carried honor in it to suit the proud Tyrians. http://bibleatlas.org/tyre.htm

Ezekiel 27:9 The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise. (KJV)

The ancients of Gebal . . . the ancients; old experienced workmen. Gebal was a Phoenician city near the sea, one of the four principal towns, to which belonged a jurisdiction over a fourth part of Phoenicia (Ps.83:7),
among the conspirators against Israel and the Giblites. Natives of Gebal were stone-squarers, people fitted for hard and servile works (1 Ki.5:18). The old experienced workmen of this place were employed by the Tyrians in mending and refitting their ships, and in the caulking of them, as follows:
The wise men thereof were in thee thy caulkers . . . wise men, orrather skilled in their trades. Calkers are stoppers of chinks in a vessel, when the ship springs a leak. Calkers are also shipwrights, to build and also to repair and strengthen their ships. http://bibleatlas.org/gebal.htm
All the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise . . . all the ships of the sea; ships from all parts of the sea, full of mariners . . . mariners not only manage the ships at sea, but offer their service to the Tyrians for bringing in or carrying out of their wares, so that they might reap the profit, while others undergo trouble and danger of trafficking by sea, problems, warehouse-keepers and brokers. Ships from all parts were in Tyre’s harbors, which brought goods into her, and carried goods out of her, by way of trade. The goods of merchants from many different places came there; and carried back merchandise which they had traded for at Tyre (Rev.18). Were in thee . . . mariners were hired and dwelt in Tyre that they might stay employed.

Ezekiel 27:10 They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness. (KJV)

They of Persia, and of Lud, and of Phut, were in thine army, thy men of war . . . because the Tryrians were a trading people, they hired foreign troops to fill their army, defend their city, and fight for them in time of war. These men were of different nations, and were the most famous for military skill and valor: the Persians were excellent archers, famous for war in the times of Cyrus, and before; the men of Lud, or the Lydians, and they of Phut, the Lybians, a people in Africa, were highly skilled in drawing the bow (Isa.66:19). Men of war, who stationary soldiers in time of peace, and who were sent out by sea or land if the occasion arose in a time of war. http://bibleatlas.org/persia.htm   http://bibleatlas.org/lud.htm  https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/phut/
They hanged the shield and helmet in thee . . . in their garrisons and towers, or places of armory; which were defensive weapons, the one for the body, the other for the head; this they did in times of peace, when there was no cause to use them, or when they were not on guard, and not on duty (Song 4:4).  
They set forth thy comeliness . . . it was a great honor to Tyre to have such soldiers in their service. The Targum is, they increased thy splendor; in other words, it added to their glory.

*****The great riches of Tyre enabled her to hire greedy soldiers from as far away as Persia. It seems that Egypt also employed mercenaries from these same sources (Jer.46:9). As a result, Tyre had become an excellent world-wide empire, which was able to obtain the commerce and cooperation of the nations all over the world of that time.

Ezekiel 27:11 The 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. (KJV)

The men of Arvad, with thine army were upon thy walls round about . . . Arvad (27:8). Thine army upon thy walls . . . there seems to be a distinction between the mercenaries from Lud and Put, etc., called men of war, and the other soldiers who manned the walls of the city. The ones from the local Arvad would have been considered more loyal to Tyre. The more distant mercenaries were entrusted with battles more removed from the city itself. With thine army . . . a mixture with other hired soldiers, made up these military forces. Upon thy walls round about . .  .the soldiers who kept guard upon the walls, placed there for the defense of the city, to watch for an enemy, lest it would be surprised; the walls is where they were on patrol day and night (Isa.62:6). These were the men of the same place mentioned before (27:8), which furnished Tyre both with mariners and soldiers.
And the Gammadims were in thy towers . . .  Gammadims, some say these were pigmies or dwarfs, because the Hebrew word is a cubit; but others say it is men bold and courageous, men of daring and the Syriac word so rightly expresses the attitude of Syrian or Syrophoenician soldiers. One says it could be left handed men, such as Ehud (Judg.3:15); or else, these men came from Gammade, a town of Phoenicia. This is not clear.
They hanged their shields upon thy walls roundabout . . . some say it was a custom in some places to hang such weapons on the tops of towers, and upon the walls of them; which might be done, either that they might be ready to take up and make use of, whenever the situation required it; or to alarm their enemies, and to show them that they were provided for them.
They have made thy beauty perfect . . . so . . . besides the beauty of Tyre’s buildings and shipping, there was the beauty of her army; which was increased by the soldiers from Persia, Lydia, and Lybia, and added to by the men of Arvad, then completed by the Gammadims. Tyre’s army added much to her beauty, a very beautiful as well as the properly well-armed soldiers among men. http://bibleatlas.org/arvad.htm

*****There are some major critics who would like to delete the following, the writing style section which immediately follows, as something added later to the prophecy; but as I see it, there is no reason to deny its authenticity. I believe all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit of GOD! 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)  2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (KJV) . . . Ezekiel was moved by the Holy Ghost! Please do not deny it!

Ezekiel 27:12 Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs. (KJV)

Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches . . . Tarshish (1 Ki.10:22), the city or country for the inhabitants; some say Carthaginians, others say Tarsus in Cilicia; others with more probability  say it is Tartessus, an ancient town on the mouth of the river Baetis; or rather in an island, it was a convenient port to export the rich metals that were brought down the Baetis from the country abounding with them, and through which their Baetis ran, and the inhabitants of this Tartessus furnished the Tyrians with them. Spain was full of silver and iron; these were the product of the country. http://bibleatlas.org/tarshish.htm
http://www.bible-history.com/maps/romanempire/Guadalquivir-River.html
Some understand this of the sea, which is sometimes called Tarshish; the Targum is, from the sea, or they of the sea bring merchandise into the midst of thee. Meaning those who lived upon the coasts, or on the isles, of the Mediterranean Sea. One version, renders it the Carthaginians, who were a colony of the Tyrians, and no doubt traded with them; but it seems to others, to mean Tartessus in Spain, a country which abounded with riches, and with the following things.
With silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs . . . nearly all Spain abounded in metals of lead, iron, brass, silver and gold; which takes in the several things here mentioned, except tin. Tin was probably gotten from some islands over against their own country, that is most noted for tin and lead, which some say was gotten by the Phoenicians. Fairs, occurs only in this chapter: (27:12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 27), nowhere else in the Bible. Fairs were held for the purpose of buying and selling merchandise from all nations

Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market. (KJV)

Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants . . . Javan, Tubal and Meshech, all were sons of Japheth (Gen.10:2). Javan is the Grecians, mainly the Ionians. Tubal is the Asiatic Iberians, and the Albanians toward the Caspian Sea. Meshech was of the Cappadocians, with whom is a city called Mazaca. Javan, Tubal and Meshech were Grecians, Spaniards, Muscovites or Cappadocians, who all were clearly of a obedient disposition. They were thy merchants . . . merchants were the wholesalers, dealers  in Tyre.
They traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy markets . . . or they trade the souls of men. They bought men and women from several countries to Tyre, and sold them for slaves. The Ionian and Grecian slaves were held in great esteem. The best brass, of which vessels were made, was had from Corinth, Delus and Aeginetus according to one, Cappadocia was also famous for it. In the first of these products, Tyre was indeed an outstanding type of Antichrist, who is said to deal in such wares, the souls of men (Rev.18:13). The word markets does not seem to mean the place of commerce, but the act of negotiation or trade. Superior weapons of brass are still manufactured in the Caucasus region.
https://joelstrumpet.com/where-is-magog-meshech-and-tubal/

Ezekiel 27:14 They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules. (KJV)

They of the house of Togarmah . . . of the house, of the country. Togarmah is Phrygia, Galatia, or Cappadocia, or Paphlagonia; all which countries, are neighbors to each other, so they abounded in horses. Since they had many, they also had the best quality horses, and furnished their neighbors with them. It is said that the Cappadocians paid a great number of horses as annual tribute to the Persians. And since they bordered on each other, it is quite likely they might all be counted together. The Targum is, they of the province or country of Germany. Togarmahdescended from Gomer (Gen.10:3). Their mountainous region south of the Caucasus was well-known for its horses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togarmah 
Some understands it of Phrygia, near to which was Cappadocia; and perhaps is here meant, since it abounded with what these people are said to trade with Tyre in:
These traded in thy fairs with horses, horsemen, and mules . . . the Cappadocians supposedly paid their annual tribute to the Persians 1500 horses, and 2000 mules, as some say. And since they sold horses and mules to the Tyrians, so they also sold horsemen, men that were highly skilled in riding and taking care of horses. Mules, the countries above mentioned, especially Cappadocia, had many mules, which they also sold to their neighbors. Mules are a cross-breed, of a female horse, mare and a male donkey, jack. There is also a cross-breed called a hinny which is the offspring of a male horse, a stallion, and a female donkey, a jenny.

Ezekiel 27:15 The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony. (KJV)

The men of Dedan were thy merchants . . . Dedan was near the Persian Sea: thus an avenue to the commerce of India, not the Dedan in Arabia (27:20), as the names in the context here prove, but the Dedan sprung from Cush (Gen.10:7). This Dedan is different from the one mentioned in connection with Edom (25:13). Here Dedan appears not with Edom, but with the isles. http://bibleatlas.org/dedan.htm
Many isles were the merchandise of thine hands . . . many isles, in the Indian Seas and in the Red Sea, traded with Tyre, meaning that many isles took their manufactures from them, in lieu of what they brought them. Merchandise of thine hand . . . that is, they depended on Tyre for trade; they came to buy what Tyre had on their hands.
They brought thee for a present . . . that they might have the liberty of trading in their fairs and markets; a present for payment or tribute, for a present; knowing how acceptable they were to get their favor, they either made presents, and gave these things, or brought them to sell. Horns, elk horns, or wild goats; some think it is meant of the unicorn, but the first is the most likely.
Horns of ivory and ebony . . . horns of ivory . . . ivory is so termed from its resemblance to horns. Some see this as separate things; horns, ivory and ebony; elk horns, or horns of goats, and ivory, which is elephant’s tusks, and ebony, which is a wood, very black in color, hard and heavy, and of which many things are made. Some take it for the name of a fowl, and renders it peacocks (2 Chron.9:21), but another better interprets it of a tree, called in Arabia ebenus.

*****Ebony is a dark brown to jet black wood that is prized for its color, hardness and density. The wood is prized for making piano keys as well as oboes, clarinets and even bagpipes. Ebony trees (Diospyrus melanoxylon) are found in the East African states of Mozambique and Tanzania.

Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate. (KJV)

Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making . . . Syria was Tyre’s merchant which they took off of their hands, and for them brought products.  
They occupied in thy fairs with emeralds . . . occupied = traded (compare Lk.19:13); traded in the fairs precious stones of a green color: one renders it carbuncles, another precious stones of a different color; sometimes called carchedonies, and which the Apostle John calls chalcedony (Rev.21:19).
Purple, and broidered work, and fine linen . . . cloth of purple color, clothing of needlework inquisitively embroidered, and linen of the best sort. One state, purple clothes, and wrought with a needle, and linen of different colors; and of such they made their sails, tilts and tents (27:7).  
And coral, and agate . . . coral is a sea plant, but some say this may be rubies, carbuncles, or chalcedonies; or crystal, with which they made looking-glasses. Agate is a precious stone, the same as the achates, first found in Sicily, by a river of the same name; is of a black color, having in the middle black and white circles joined and variegated; but they are of different colors, and of different degrees of clearness. The word is differently rendered; by some the ruby; by others the carbuncle; by others the chalcedony; and by others crystal; it is hard to say what is meant. http://bibleatlas.org/syria.htm

Ezekiel 27:17 Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm. (KJV)

Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants . . . Judah is the two tribes, or Kingdom of Judah. The land of Israel is the Kingdom of Israel, or the ten tribes until their dispersion. The phrase the land of Israel is found 19 times in Ezekiel. The inhabitants of Judah and Israel; the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the other ten tribes of Israel, they all did business with the Tyrians, being near unto them.
They traded in thy market wheat of Minnith . . . Minnith was formerly an Ammonite city (Judg.11:33), where most likely the best wheat grew. Some render it; the Tyrians were supplied with wheat from the land of Israel, in the times of Solomon, long before this (1 Ki.5:11) as they were in the times of Herod, it was four miles from Esbus or Heshbon, in the way to Philadelphia, according to Eusebius.
And Pannag . . . Pannag was a places in Israel famed for good wheat, with which Tyre was supplied (1 Ki.5:9, 11; Ezra 3:7; Acts 12:20).  
And honey, and oil . . . with which the land of Canaan abounded; for it was a land of oil olive and honey, a land that flowed with milk and honey (Deut.8:8) so that they had enough for themselves, and to spare for their neighbors, and which they carried to the market of Tyre. Oil was in the making and selling, whereof the labor, care, and profit of that country did lie.
And balm . . . or balsam, of which there was plenty at Gilead, and near Jericho. Some versions render it rosin; and this the Tyrians might make use of in their ships. The balm or balsam plant, was characteristic to Judea, until transplanted into other countries. The choicest balm were those of Gilead, when it is likely it was carried to Tyre. Balm of Gilead (Gen.37:25; Je.8:22; 46:11). http://bibleatlas.org/judah.htm
http://bibleatlas.org/minnith.htm         http://biblehub.com/topical/p/pannag.htm

Ezekiel 27:18 Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool. (KJV)

Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making . . . (27:16), Damascus was a very ancient and wealthy city of Syria, and the royal city, it was the wonder of the ancient world, and still remains great because of its three highways . . . going to Egypt, Arabia and Persia. It has always been the capital and chief city of Syria, and celebrated because of the multitude of the wares. Damascus, the Pearl of the East, is said to be the oldest city in the world with a continuous history.
For the multitude of all riches . . . although the Tyrians had many rich and lovely commodities, yet it pleased the people of Damascus to bring mainly two of their products in exchange, richest wines to please the palate of the wealthy Tyrians, and finest white wool to clothe their pride.
In the wine of Helbon, and white wool . . . Helbon most likely is the same as Chalybon, a place famous for wine. As the kings of Persia, through riches fell into luxury, so that they would have wheat brought from Assos in Aeolia, and Chalybonian wine out of Syria, and water from Eulaeus (the river Ulai in Daniel 8:2), which was lightest of all; and so it seems that the Persian kings drink only Chalybonian wine; which was made at Damascus in Syria, from where the Persians transplanted vines. Some think Helbon is the same as Aleppo; where the grapes there are all white, and make a strong wine. The wines of Damascus were strong; and the wool they brought was more pure and white than any other place. http://bibleatlas.org/damascus.htm.
http://bibleatlas.org/helbon.htm

Ezekiel 27:19 Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market. (KJV)

Dan also and Javan, going to and fro, occupied in thy fairs . . . Dan was anciently called Laish (Judg.18:29), and in later times Caesarea Philippi, which was in that tribe. Some say Javan is not of Greece, but a people of a country in Arabia, the city of which was Uzal; and so he renders it, as some of the Greek versions do. Javan of Uzal, or Asel, to distinguish it from the other Javan (27:13), and not in Greece, where the sweet spices grew, which these are said to trade in. The products listed, cassia, calamus, apply to places in Arabia. Going to and fro . . . all peoples, whether as near the Israelite Dan, or as far as Javan, who were accustomed to go to and fro from their love of traffic, visited Tyre’s marts, bringing bright iron, cassia, and calamus, these products not  really being represented as those of Dan or Javan. Bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market; brought from the above places; polished iron or steel, and the sweet spices of cassia and calamus, or the aromatic cane or reed, which came from afar (Jer.6:20).  http://bibleatlas.org/dan.htm
http://bibleatlas.org/javan.htm
Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots. (KJV)

Dedan was thy merchant in precious cloths for chariots . . . Dedan (25:13; 27:15), was the descendant of Abraham by Keturah (Gen.25:1-3), who dwelt in Arabia, and were sheep-masters, and no doubt knew how to make fine clothes from their wool. Precious cloths . . . for riding, saddlecloths (Judg.5:10), and clothes for chariots, with which they lined their chariots, and covered them. Or cloths of freedom, such as freemen and even nobles wore; and yet so wasteful were the Tyrians, that they bought these precious cloths to line or cover their chariots with. http://bibleatlas.org/dedan.htm

Ezekiel 27:21 Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants. (KJV)

Arabia, and all the princes of Keda . . . Arabia is a large country, divided into three parts, Arabia Deserts, or the desert; Arabia Petraea, or the rocky, and Arabia Felix, or the happy. Kedar was in Arabia Petrea; its inhabitants were called Kedarenes, descended from Kedar, a son of Ishmael (Gen.25:13), who were mainly shepherds, and dwelt in tents. The princes were the rich and wealthy among them, for there were many such among those Kedaren princes, who dwelt in tents, bred and fed cattle, and carried them to Tyre market; furnished the shambles at Tyre, and their altars too for sacrifices. Shambles is a place where butcher's meat is sold; it is a meat market.
They occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats . . . they were the merchants of Tyre, or at their hand, for cattle could not be carried far. They occupied with thee . . . they traded with them (27:16).
In these were they thy merchants . . . merchants are as useful in a commonwealth as workers, for exporting and importing commodities; only they must observe the Gospel standard, Whatever ye would that men should do to you, do ye the same to them.   http://bibleatlas.org/arabia.htm  

Ezekiel 27:22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold. (KJV)

The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants . . . this Sheba was the son of Raamah (Gen.10:7), who settled in Arabia Felix, when the queen came that visited Solomon. Raamah is another people of the same Arabia. Raamah was a brother to Sheba(Gen.10:7), settled near him in that fruitful land, and built towns there, and grew to fame.
They occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices . . . they traded with myrrh and frankincense, with which they abounded. It seems that the Arabians paid annually to the kings of Persia a thousand talents of frankincense; and that the Sabaeans were an ancient people speaking an Old South Arabian language who lived in what is today Yemen, in the south west of the Arabian Peninsula. The kingdom of Saba has been identified with the biblical land of Sheba. These Sabaeans boiled their food, some with wood of frankincense, and others with wood of myrrh.  
And with all precious stones, and gold . . . such as jaspers, emeralds, carbuncles, and others, which some say are found in Arabia; and mention is made of the gold of Sheba (Ps.72:15). Another thinks that Ophir, from whence the famous gold of that name was fetched (1 Ki.10:11), was in Arabia Felix; and it may be observed, that the queen of Sheba gave great quantities of gold, of spices, and of precious stones, to Solomon; and that he had much of these kinds annually from the spice merchants, and kings of Arabia (1 Ki.10:10; Isa.60:6).  
http://bibleatlas.org/sheba.htm    http://bibleatlas.org/ramah.htm 
http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11719-ophir

Ezekiel 27:23 Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants. (KJV)

Haran; Haran or Charran in Mesopotamia, where Abraham dwelt. http://bibleatlas.org/haran.htm
Canneh; nowhere else mentioned, supposedly the same as Calneh (Gen.10:10), a pleasant city on Tigris, some three miles from Seleucia. It was built by the Parthians, whose king resided there in the winter, because of its mildness. It supposedly was a cape or port of Arabia Felix, on the Indian Sea. http://bibleatlas.org/canneh.htm
Eden; (Gen.2:8),a pleasant country, part of Babylonia, supposedly was situated near the union of the Tigris and Euphrates. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris–Euphrates_river_system
Sheba; whether this is the same mentioned in (27:22), or some other, is not certain; possibly it may be Saba, where came the Sabeans. This was probably near the country of the Edomites.
Asshur; Asshur, the name of the father of the nation, for Assyria.
Chilmad; a country or part of Media, between Assyria and Parthia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthia 
http://bibleatlas.org/asshur.htm   http://bibleatlas.org/chilmad.htm

Many nations or places are mentioned with Tyre:
Senir and Lebanon (27:5), Bashan, Ashurites and Chittim (27:6), Egypt and Elishah (27:7), Zidon and Arvad (27:8), Gebal (27:9), Persia, Lud, and Phut (27:10), Tarshish (27:12), Javan [Greece], Tubal and Meshech (27:13), Togarmah (27:14), Dedan (27:15), Syria (27:16), Judah (27:17), Damascus (27:18), Dan and Javan (27:19), Arabia and Kedar (27:21), Sheba and Raamah (27:22), Haran, Canneh, Eden, Asshur and Chilmad (27:23). 

Ezekiel 27:24 These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise. (KJV)

These were thy merchants in all sorts of things . . . these, is probably the merchants just named, or maybe all the merchants that have been mentioned so far. 
In blue cloths, and broidered work . . . these the Assyrians took of them, a color which delighted them (23:6). Fancy broidered work; bought from Egyptians, sold to Assyrians.
And in chests of rich apparel bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise . . . rich clothing, such as scarlet cloaks, and blue cloths were well packed in chests made of cedar, which they had from Lebanon, and so fit to be put on board a ship, and carried into any part of the world. Chests of cedar, sturdy and strong, made to carry luxurious apparel, bought at Tyre, stored in those chests and conveyed to all parts of the Assyrian Empire, and to the northern nations. Bound with cords may refer to the chests, or to other kinds of rich wares neatly made up, and bound for security with cords. Among thy merchandise . . . it seems these chests were not like our ordinary boxes, but were superior cabinets, and good merchandise.
                       
Many different kinds of merchandise: Silver, iron, tin and lead (27:12), persons of men [slaves] and vessels of brass (27:13), horses, horsemen and mules (27:14),  ivory and ebony (27:15), emeralds, purple, broidered work, fine linen, coral, agate (27:16), wheat, honey, oil and balm (27:17), wine and white wool (27:18), bright iron and cassia [cinnamon], calamus [sweet flag] (27:19), precious clothes (27:20), lambs, rams and goats (27:21), spices, precious stones and gold (27:22), blue clothes and rich apparel (27:24).  

Ezekiel 27:25 The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas. (KJV)

The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in market . . . I think that the ships of Tarshish here means ships of the sea in general, for Tarshish is used for the sea. These ships from all areas came to Tyre, each with the individual products of their country from where they came, to find a good market for them. Did sing of thee, they all hadtheir songs of praise, which were made to praise her. http://bibleatlas.org/tarshish.htm
And thou wast replenished . . . Tyre was restocked with goods from all parts, with everything for their needs, convenience, pleasure and delight, so that they could carry on trade with all nations. All trading came to Tyre, there was none like her warehouses or public stores.
And made very glorious in the midst of the seas . . . Tyre was made very famous with great riches, and her stately towers and buildings.

*****This verse ends the description of Tyre's greatness; next follows her ruin and destruction. She indeed was very glorious, magnificent and beautiful. There was none other like her. But now, Ezekiel shall foretell her fall, speaking of her fall as if it had already come.

If we want a picture of Tyre as the great commercial center, we can see it clearly pictured in the prophecy of the apostle John in the Book of Revelation, of Babylon in the future, when it will become the commercial, religious, and political center of the world (Rev.18). Mystical Babylon [Rome], will be the capital city of the Antichrist.
Revelation 18:11-14 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14  And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. (KJV) . . . This also is a picture of London, Paris, Rome, New York City, Los Angeles, etc. You can buy anything you want in any of these cities. If you have the money, you can buy it. Today is the age of materialism, just as it was in the days of Tyre. BEWARE!!!

Tyre was like a huge ship, with everything the people needed on board, with music playing. There was joy and laughter everywhere, and the wine and champagne flowed. Then it all disappeared, because GOD judged it. The ship of Tyre is represented as setting out fully loaded, only to meet a strong east wind and be sunk, with all her merchandise, her crew, her traders and her guards, with the result that those ashore bewail her passing.

From her to the end of the Chapter, we have everyone expressing grief, howling and weeping over that great city. That is exactly what is going to happen in the last days to Babylon [Rome]! When it comes, the stock market will fail, and everything you have buried or in your safe boxes will not be worth a dime! And everything you THOUGHT was valuable will be totally worthless. It was indeed a very tragic day when Tyre fell . . . and so it will also be when GOD judges this present day world in the last days. BEWARE!!!
Matthew 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (KJV)   http://www.godcannotlie.org/matthew_ch6.html

Her great and irrecoverable fall (27:26-36)

Ezekiel 27:26 Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas. (KJV)

Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters . . . (27:8) their rowers, governors and counsellors, have brought thee, carelessly into great waters, dangers and difficulties, in which it will be shipwrecked, and perish.
The east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas . . . east wind is called the mariner’s misery, a wind very fatal to ships and mariners (Ps.48:7), and it means Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldean army; so called, because of their great force and fury; and because Babylon, from where they came, lay to some extent to the east of Tyre. Hath broken thee, as surely will, as if he had already done it!  
In the midst of the seas . . . where she was far from shore, and must therefore sink and drown, or where she thought herself secure. Where many waters meet, it is impossible to swim out; so Tyre shall perish in the violent currents of many seas; many nations, fierce and cruel, under Nebuchadnezzar shall swallow thee up.

Ezekiel 27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin. (KJV)

Thy riches . . . the vast amount of wealth Tyre had gotten by her trade and merchandise, were all lost, all at once, which they had been many years gathering (Rev.18:17).
And thy fairs . . . to which these were such great possibilities from all parts, and where such a remarkable traffic was carried on, were now interrupted by the siege, and put to an end upon the ruin of the city:
Thy merchandise . . . their stock of goods of all kinds now in their warehouses, the products both imported and exported; the wares that were brought in from foreign parts, and sold in her, and what was taken from her in the place of them . .  .all whether her own or others, were all lost and destroyed.
Thy mariners . . . their mariners who were the inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad (27:8-11), perished with her.
And thy pilots; who were the wisest, most skilful, and best educated in the art of navigation, and who were of the city itself, were no more (27:8).
thy calkers . . . the wise and ancient men of Gebal (27:9).  
And the occupiers of the merchandise . . . the traders in her markets and fairs (27:12, 16).
And all thy men of war that are in thee . . . those who fight for her and defend her; the Persians, Lydiaus, and Lybians, the men of Arvad, and the Gammadims (27:10).
And in all thy company, which is in the midst of thee . . . the great number of people, all that are men fit for war in the multitudes of people that are in thee, both their own citizens and those that are her soldiers, trained bands, or artillery company.
Shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin . . . since their walls and banks were demolished, the sea broke in upon it, and washed all away in it, and left it a bare rock (26:4). Shall fall is plural, these ALL shall fall together at once. The midst of the seas (27:26). In the day of thy ruin, the time for it was long preparing for the fall, but a single hour of one day brought it to utter desolation. Revelation 18:17-18 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! (KJV) . . . BEWARE!!! Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (KJV) . . . Be wise today, so you will not regret it for eternity! Eternity is a L-O-N-G time! And there are NO exit gates out of HELL!!!
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_hell_no_exit_doors.html

Ezekiel 27:28 The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots. (KJV)

The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots . . . (26:10), the suburbs seem to mean the buildings of Tyre on the adjoining continent. The symbol of a ship wreck is still continued: the logic is, that such would be the cry of the governors and principal men of the city when it would be taken, that the noise of it would be heard upon the continent, and in the towns and villages belonging to Tyre, which would make the inhabitants of them tremble, or at the sound of the cry of thy pilots, the waves are moved, or tremble; which were very strong at the time of Tyre’s fall into the sea. All who covet, shall lose!

Ezekiel 27:29 And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land; (KJV)

And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea . . . the lesser officers, and the common people; although this may be understood of all kinds of seafaring people, working in different parts of the ships; some at the oar; some at the sails; and others at the helm; but all shall quit their posts.
And shall come down from their ships . . . there being no further business for them, or an complete end of the trade, through the fall of Tyre; or because of danger, and to save themselves, would leave the ship, and go to their own boats, and head for land.
They shall stand upon the land . . . on dry ground, being safely arrived; looking on the shipwreck, and bewailing the loss of Tyre, as will be in the last days with Rome!
Revelation 18:18-19 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. (KJV)
Revelation 18:22-23 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (KJV)

*****In this parable of a miserable shipwreck, the prophet sets forth Tyre’s fall, and in this verse he represents them all rushing out of the shattered sinking ship, in abundant confusion and great fear. The slaves quit the oars, the mariners threw up the tackling, pilots left the helm and they all rush for the long boat and headed for land, where they wail over their undone condition. All the sea-faring men, who made their living by service done for Tyre at sea, now see her completely shattered, shall leave the ship, get to land, where they may save themselves, and bewail their old masters’ fall.

Ezekiel 27:30 And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes: (KJV)

And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee . . . the rulers and governors of the city, having taken a wrong step in provoking the enemy, and then finally submitting to the siege, mourned over the city, and lamented its sad case.
And shall cry bitterly . . . (Isa.22:4; 33:7; Zep.1:14), with great weeping, howling, and shouting. Revelation 18:9-10 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (KJV)
And they shall cast dust upon their heads . . . (Josh.7:6; Job 2:12; Jer.6:26; Lam.2:10), a custom in the eastern countries, in time of mourning and sorrow; Revelation 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. (KJV)
And they shall wallow themselves in ashes . . . (Jer.6:26; Mic.1:10), or roll in them, another custom used in mourning (Jer.6:26). It seems that every country has its strange customs when in mourning.
Shall cause their voice to be heard . . .  with such great cries that shall make the country echo their sorrows.

Ezekiel 27:31 And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing. (KJV)

And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee . . . either by shaving their heads, or tearing off their hair, as mourners in distress used to do. It was the custom of the heathen, to either pull off their hair with their hands, or cut off the hair of their heads when in great mourning, which God forbade to His people to do (Lev.21:5; Deut. 14:1). Tyre’s mourners would express their sorrow and despair in baldness.
And gird them with sackcloth . . . (7:18), clothe themselves with sackcloth; another usual practice of mourners, well known to all, as was customary in such distressed cases.
And they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing . . . not just on the outside, but deep within, not like the prelude of mourning women, who only mourned outwardly; but these from the very heart, and in great bitterness of spirit. This expressed the inward grief of their hearts and minds on this sad and miserable occasion, as what follows declares the lamentation they expressed vocally.

Ezekiel 27:32 And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea? (KJV)

And in their wailing they shall takes up a lamentation for thee . . . a mournful song, such as was used at funerals, or in times of calamity. In their wailing; in their sorrowful speeches about Tyre, they would show much grief in just a few words.
And lament over thee . . . sadly saying the following words;
What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea? . . . there is none like her in the midst of the sea, just as there was none her for riches, splendor and glory . . . and now there is none like it for misery and ruin. Revelation 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! (KJV)

*****She is not Tyre the famous and well-known any more, now she is Tyre the destroyed! She was destroyed in the midst of the sea, from where she had received all her riches and her glory. She, in whom was heard the voice of joy and singing, is now mute, with nothing ever again of that kind to be heard in her. Revelation 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; (KJV) . . . Tyre was just like a massive ship that had gone down at sea.

Ezekiel 27:33 When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise. (KJV)

When thy wares went forth out of the seas . . . wares [products], sold in fairs (27:12), the products were taken out of ships, which came to Tyre from all parts, and were landed on the shore, and put up in warehouses, and put in markets.
Thou filledst many people . . . by selling the products in their markets, the supplies they wanted, for which they came from all quarters; and by sending them to others in ships, where they knew they were in need of them, and would bring them a good price; and they had enough to answer the demands of all, and to supply them to the fullest. Such power had the massive trade, not only of common men and subjects, but kings were made more wealthy by it.
Thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and pithy merchandise . . . by taking off the goods of their subjects, whereby they were better able to pay their taxes, and support them in their majesty and dignity; as well as by furnishing them gold and silver, and precious stones, which they gave for the produce of their country; or for a toll of the goods imported or exported.

Ezekiel 27:34 In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall. (KJV)

In the time when thou shall be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters . . . in the depths of the waters, in the overflowing of the wars (27:26). By the Chaldean army, which came upon them like the waves of the sea (26:3), by which they were overpowered and destroyed; just as a ship on the mighty waters is dashed and broken to pieces by the powerful waves.
Thy merchandise, and all thy company in the midst of thee, shall fall . . . trade would stop, and the mixed multitude of traders from all parts would be seen no more; the natives of the place shall perish; mariners and soldiers, and persons of every rank and degree, age, and sex would be there no more! All will be swallowed up by the sea.

Ezekiel 27:35 All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance. (KJV)

All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee . . . the isles, in a larger sense, the seacoasts.
Astonished . . . wondering if it would ever happen that Tyre would fall.
And their kings shall be sore afraid . . . fearing that it will be their turn next; and also knowing very well that they were less able to resist so mighty a ruler as the king of Babylon, or Alexander the great, than Tyre was.
Sore afraid, the people of the isles knew they would not be able to defend themselves, and they did not know where that mighty conqueror would strike next.
They shall be troubled in their countenance . . . they shall be troubled, and not ableto hide their uneasiness.
They feared for grief of their friends, feared for themselves, against that cruelty and inhumanity which ruined the glory of their world, destroyed what could not be repaired by any riches or wisdom. Revelation 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, (KJV)
They shall be troubled in their countenance . . . their inward passions of grief and fear will be seen in their faces; which will be pale, sad and distorted.  

Ezekiel 27:36 The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more. (KJV)

The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee . . . hiss (1 Ki.9:8; Jer.19:8; 49:17), isan expression of scorn and contempt poured out on the person hissed at . . . and IF this is the meaning, there would be some among Tyre’s customers that would rejoice at her fall, and scoff at her, maybe because they were wronged by her in trading, or else with envy, with hopes that her trade might turn to them. There are people who like to see another fall, so they can hiss, heckle and jeer, as Tyre had done at Jerusalem (26:2), as she hoped to make better her markets on the fall of Jerusalem, and so rejoiced at it.
Thou shalt be a terror . . . a terror; a situation of many fears, to many people, who hear how terribly Tyre’s enemies have raged against her and prevailed.
And never shall be any more . . . Old Tyre (26:2-5, 14) shall never again be upon the same spot, nor with the same splendor and glory as it had known. Some understand this only of a long time, as seventy years when it was rebuilt (Isa.23:15), or it may mean its last destruction, since which it has not been, nor now is, or ever will be rebuilt. This shall also be true of mystical Babylon (Rome), the antitype of Tyre (Rev.18:21). http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_isaiah_ch.23.htm

*****CONSIDER: As you pause over this Chapter, please think about how fleeting the state of everything that is worldly is! What has become of all those great and powerful empires of the world? They all made a great noise, and proudly boasted in their day, in giving their laws to the world! Sad to say, the rushing flood of time has passed over them, and they all have been washed away!

As you consider the vast, changeable and unpredictable circumstances of human life; would it not be wise for you and I to look to Him, and trust Him, who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Heb.13:8)! What a precious Saviour and LORD we have in JESUS!!! IF we love and trust Him, how blessed our thoughts will be, because we know that His love, and His salvation are unchangeable, and forever the same. Although nations and empires rise and fall, and everything worldly is certain to change, JESUS and His great salvation is forever, and His righteousness is something that can NEVER be eliminated. So comforting and sweet is the Scripture: Isaiah 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. (KJV)
Thank You LORD JESUS!! Thank You, thank You, thank You, thank You!!

Special Comments

Things to think about: even though Tyre was a heathen land, the prophet Ezekiel must lament over it; for a kind, caring heart is filled with charity to all, and touched with tender compassion, he laments over the miseries of the afflicted, wherever they appear. The great prosperity and splendor of Tyre made her fall the more serious.
(1). Tyre was conveniently situated, at the entry of the sea, and surrounded by it, her harbor most extensive, and the grand market of the world, where all the produce of the east and west was brought and exchanged.
(2). Tyre was most beautifully adorned with impressive structures, where magnificence, elegance, and use added to perfect her beauty.
(3). Tyre’s fleets were numerous, well built and rigged, and some most beautifully adorned; the very sails were fine linen embroidered from Egypt: the porches covered with blue and purple; and the very benches inlaid with ivory.
(4). Tyre’s ships were remarkably manned; the pilots and chief officers Tyre supplied; the seamen, the adjacent country; and in her docks the wisest mariners were employed to refit and repair her navy.
(5). The excellent soldiers of Tyre were hired for her guard, from distant military nations, furnished with weapons for war, which in time of peace were hung up in armories, ready to be used in any emergency, for she could well afford to pay for her safety and adorning the city.
(6). Tyre’s trade was massive and worldwide; ships from all over the globe crowded her harbor. The nations and several of their products are mentioned. The countries of many of these are well known; while some are unclear, which only give critics more space for guesswork; but of such unimportant things we should be content to remain not knowing. A lesson for us would be, that increasing wealth increases luxury, and the beginning of ruin most often springs up in the midst of the greatest prosperity. BEWARE!!!

Tyre prided herself on her beauty, and all the nations praised and admired her. As a result, wealth often is the food of pride and vanity, for the ones who abound in riches are always admired and praised. The great ones are those who are much more noticed and honored than the good ones! The greatness of Tyre’s wealth and excellence serves only to increase the misery of her fall. This proud city was laid low in ruins; a memorial to other trading nations to not be secure in the day of prosperity.
(1). Like a huge ship wrecked by the unskilled rowers, so was Tyre brought into great waters, exposed by some foolish conduct of her governors to the resentment of the king of Babylon. The east wind  that dashed this gallant ship to pieces in the midst of the seas: and her merchandize, her riches, her inhabitants, her soldiers and her seamen . . . all perished in the waters. So it was that the unskillfulness of her pilots that ruined a nation.
(2). The dreadful cries of the sinking city would reach the suburbs, the cities and villages on the continent; and the few who do escape to the shore, as men from a ship wreck, shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, blaming the unwise conduct of the pilots, who provoked the king of Babylon's resentment. The suburbs would 
bewail the desolations they witnessed, with deep expressions of anguish and frustration, with dust on their heads, wallowing in ashes, tearing off their hair, and weeping with bitterness and heart-felt grief. They would bemoan in sad weeping the dire catastrophe . . . a city, once so great, so rich, so joyous, now fallen into the lowest state of hopeless wretchedness, and instead of the busy hum of crowded streets . . . there would be solitude and silence reigning all over. So awful a change, can God in judgment quickly make, when His Holy wrath arises against a guilty land. A lesson here for America! People in today’s world have put the LORD so far away from their thoughts and lives, it is scary! Sin is rampant in this supposedly ‘Christian’ nation. Only a meager few love, trust and obey the LORD! God’s judgment shall fall on this country, and when it does, it will be hard and fast. BEWARE!!! JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING!  ARE YOU READY? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_judgment_day_IS_coming.htm
(3). The utter ruin of the proud city shall fill many with terror and astonishment; the kings of the neighboring isles shall be sore afraid. If Tyre could not stand, which they deemed unassailable, how could they stand? Some shall hiss at her, mocking her vain confidence, and hoping, as she had done on the ruin of Jerusalem, that the trade of Tyre would be transferred to their ports, and that they would be enriched by her fall . . . for, being fallen, she never shall be any more; never be rebuilt on the same spot, or ever again rise to be the same empire of the seas. Some think this means no more than a long time, during seventy years (Isa.23:17), though the prophesy may respect her last destruction, since which to this day Tyre has lain in ruins. The trade and fall of the antichristian powers are described in expressions borrowed from this prophesy, or very similar (Rev.18), for their ruin shall as assuredly come. http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_isaiah_ch.23.htm

Many Predictions Fulfilled:
1. Tyre’s workers, riches and inhabitants, all will fall in the midst of the seas in the day of her ruin (27:26-27).  
2. The suburbs will shake at the sound of the cry of her pilots (27:28).  
3. All that handle the oar, the mariners and all the pilots of the sea, will come down from their ships and stand on the land (27:29).  
4. Their voice will be heard against you (27:30).  
5. They will cry bitterly.  
6. They will cast up dust upon their heads.  
7. They will wallow themselves in ashes.  
8. They will make themselves utterly bald for you (27:31).  
9. They will gird with sackcloth.  
10. They will weep for you with bitterness.
11. They will weep with bitter wailing.
12. In their wailing they will take up a lamentation for you (27:32).
13. They will lament over you.
14. In the time when Trye shall be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, her merchandise and all her company in the midst of her shall fall (27:34).
15. All the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at Tyre (27:35).
16. Their kings will be very afraid.
17. They will be deeply troubled, shown in their faces.  
18. The merchants among the people will hiss at you.  
19. Tyre shall be a terror.  
20. Tyre shall never be any more (27:36).

Many nations or places are mentioned with Tyre:
Senir and Lebanon (27:5), Bashan, Ashurites and Chittim (27:6), Egypt and Elishah (27:7), Zidon and Arvad (27:8), Gebal (27:9), Persia, Lud, and Phut (27:10), Tarshish (27:12), Javan [Greece], Tubal and Meshech (27:13), Togarmah (27:14), Dedan (27:15), Syria (27:16), Judah (27:17), Damascus (27:18), Dan and Javan (27:19), Arabia and Kedar (27:21), Sheba and Raamah (27:22), Haran, Canneh, Eden, Asshur and Chilmad (27:23).                         
Many different kinds of merchandise: Silver, iron, tin and lead (27:12), persons of men [slaves] and vessels of brass (27:13), horses, horsemen and mules (27:14),  ivory and ebony (27:15), emeralds, purple, broidered work, fine linen, coral, agate (27:16), wheat, honey, oil and balm (27:17), wine and white wool (27:18), bright iron and cassia [cinnamon], calamus [sweet flag] (27:19), precious clothes (27:20), lambs, rams and goats (27:21), spices, precious stones and gold (27:22), blue clothes and rich apparel (27:24).

Book of Ezekiel

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