A Pronouncement against Tyre

23 A pronouncement(A) concerning Tyre:(B)

Wail, ships of Tarshish,(C)
for your haven has been destroyed.
Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.[a](D)
Mourn, inhabitants of the coastland,
you merchants of Sidon;(E)
your agents have crossed the sea[b]
over deep water.
Tyre’s revenue was the grain from Shihor—
the harvest of the Nile.
She was the merchant among the nations.(F)
Be ashamed, Sidon, the stronghold of the sea,
for the sea has spoken:
“I have not been in labor or given birth.
I have not raised young men
or brought up young women.”
When the news reaches Egypt,
they will be in anguish over the news about Tyre.(G)
Cross over to Tarshish;
wail, inhabitants of the coastland!
Is this your jubilant city,
whose origin was in ancient times,
whose feet have taken her
to reside far away?
Who planned this against Tyre,
the bestower of crowns,
whose traders are princes,
whose merchants are the honored ones of the earth?
The Lord of Armies planned it,
to desecrate all its glorious beauty,
to disgrace all the honored ones of the earth.
10 Overflow[c] your land like the Nile, daughter of Tarshish;
there is no longer anything to restrain you.[d]
11 He stretched out his hand over the sea;(H)
he made kingdoms tremble.
The Lord has commanded
that the Canaanite fortresses be destroyed.
12 He said,
“You will not celebrate anymore,
ravished young woman, daughter of Sidon.
Get up and cross over to Cyprus(I)
even there you will have no rest!”
13 Look at the land of the Chaldeans—
a people who no longer exist.
Assyria destined it for desert creatures.
They set up their siege towers
and stripped its palaces.
They made it a ruin.
14 Wail, ships of Tarshish,
because your fortress is destroyed!

15 On that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years—the life span of one king. At the end of seventy years, what the song says about the prostitute will happen to Tyre:

16 Pick up your lyre,
stroll through the city,
you forgotten prostitute.
Play skillfully,
sing many a song
so that you will be remembered.

17 And at the end of the seventy years,(J) the Lord will restore Tyre(K) and she will go back into business, prostituting herself with all the kingdoms of the world throughout the earth. 18 But her profits and wages will be dedicated to the Lord. They will not be stored or saved, for her profit will go to those who live in the Lord’s presence, to provide them with ample food and sacred clothing.

Footnotes

  1. 23:1 Hb Kittim
  2. 23:2 DSS; MT reads Sidon, whom the seafarers have filled
  3. 23:10 DSS, LXX read Work
  4. 23:10 Or longer any harbor

The Downfall of Tyre

26 In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, because Tyre(A) said about Jerusalem, ‘Aha!(B) The gateway to the peoples is shattered. She has been turned over to me.[a] I will be filled now that she lies in ruins,’ therefore this is what the Lord God says: See, I am against you, Tyre!(C) I will raise up many nations against you, just as the sea raises its waves. They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and turn her into a bare rock. She will become a place in the sea to spread nets, for I have spoken.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “She will become plunder for the nations,(D) and her villages on the mainland will be slaughtered by the sword.(E) Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

For this is what the Lord God says: “See, I am about to bring King Nebuchadnezzar[b] of Babylon, king of kings,(F) against Tyre from the north with horses, chariots, cavalry, and a huge assembly of troops. He will slaughter your villages on the mainland with the sword. He will set up siege works,(G) build a ramp, and raise a wall of shields against you. He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and tear down your towers with his iron tools. 10 His horses will be so numerous that their dust will cover you. When he enters your gates as an army entering a breached city, your walls will shake from the noise of cavalry, wagons, and chariots. 11 He will trample all your streets with the hooves of his horses.(H) He will slaughter your people with the sword, and your mighty pillars will fall to the ground. 12 They will take your wealth as spoil and plunder your merchandise.(I) They will also demolish your walls and tear down your beautiful homes. Then they will throw your stones, timber, and soil into the water. 13 I will put an end to the noise of your songs,(J) and the sound of your lyres will no longer be heard. 14 I will turn you into a bare rock, and you will be a place to spread nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the Lord, have spoken.”(K) This is the declaration of the Lord God.

15 This is what the Lord God says to Tyre: “Won’t the coasts and islands quake at the sound of your downfall,(L) when the wounded groan and slaughter occurs within you? 16 All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones,(M) remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling; they will sit on the ground, tremble continually, and be appalled(N) at you. 17 Then they will lament(O) for you and say of you,

‘How you have perished, city of renown,
you who were populated from the seas![c]
She who was powerful on the sea,
she and all of her inhabitants
inflicted their terror.[d]
18 Now the coastlands tremble(P)
on the day of your downfall;
the islands in the sea
are alarmed by your demise.’”

19 For this is what the Lord God says: “When I make you a ruined city like other deserted cities, when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you, 20 then I will bring you down to be with those who descend to the Pit,(Q) to the people of antiquity. I will make you dwell in the underworld[e] like[f] the ancient ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will no longer be inhabited or display your splendor[g] in the land of the living.(R) 21 I will make you an object of horror, and you will no longer exist.(S) You will be sought but will never be found again.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.

The Sinking of Tyre

27 The word of the Lord came to me: “Now, son of man, lament for Tyre.(T) Say to Tyre, who is situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples(U) to many coasts and islands, ‘This is what the Lord God says:

Tyre, you declared,
“I am perfect in beauty.”
Your realm was in the heart of the sea;
your builders perfected your beauty.
They constructed all your planking
with pine trees from Senir.(V)
They took a cedar from Lebanon
to make a mast for you.
They made your oars of oaks from Bashan.
They made your deck of cypress wood
from the coasts of Cyprus,(W)
inlaid with ivory.
Your sail was made of
fine embroidered linen from Egypt,
and served as your banner.
Your awning was of blue and purple fabric
from the coasts of Elishah.
The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad(X)
were your rowers.
Your wise men were within you, Tyre;
they were your captains.
The elders of Gebal and its wise men(Y)
were within you, repairing your leaks.
“‘All the ships of the sea and their sailors
came to you to barter for your goods.
10 Men of Persia, Lud, and Put(Z)
were in your army, serving as your warriors.
They hung shields and helmets in you;
they gave you splendor.
11 Men of Arvad and Helech
were stationed on your walls all around,
and Gammadites were in your towers.
They hung their shields[h] all around your walls;
they perfected your beauty.

12 “‘Tarshish(AA) was your trading partner because of your abundant wealth of every kind. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech(AB) were your merchants. They exchanged slaves[i] and bronze utensils for your goods. 14 Those from Beth-togarmah(AC) exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your merchandise. 15 Men of Dedan[j](AD) were also your merchants; many coasts and islands were your regular markets. They brought back ivory tusks(AE) and ebony as your payment. 16 Aram[k] was your trading partner because of your numerous products. They exchanged turquoise,[l] purple and embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral,[m] and rubies[n] for your merchandise. 17 Judah and the land of Israel were your merchants. They exchanged wheat from Minnith,(AF) meal,[o] honey, oil, and balm, for your goods. 18 Damascus was also your trading partner because of your numerous products and your abundant wealth of every kind, trading in wine from Helbon and white wool.[p] 19 Vedan[q] and Javan from Uzal[r](AG) dealt in your merchandise; wrought iron, cassia,(AH) and aromatic cane were exchanged for your goods. 20 Dedan(AI) was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your business partners, trading with you in lambs, rams, and goats. 22 The merchants of Sheba(AJ) and Raamah traded with you. For your merchandise they exchanged the best of all spices and all kinds of precious stones as well as gold.(AK) 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden,(AL) the merchants of Sheba, Asshur,(AM) and Chilmad traded with you. 24 They were your merchants in choice garments, cloaks of blue and embroidered materials, and multicolored carpets,[s] which were bound and secured with cords in your marketplace. 25 Ships of Tarshish(AN) were the carriers for your goods.

“‘So you became full and heavily loaded[t]
in the heart of the sea.
26 Your rowers have brought you
onto the high seas,(AO)
but the east wind has wrecked you
in the heart of the sea.
27 Your wealth, merchandise, and goods,
your sailors and captains,
those who repair your leaks,
those who barter for your goods,
and all the warriors on board,
with all the other people within you,
sink into the heart of the sea
on the day of your downfall.

28 “‘The countryside shakes
at the sound of your sailors’ cries.(AP)
29 All the oarsmen
disembark from their ships.
The sailors and all the captains of the sea
stand on the shore.
30 Because of you, they raise their voices
and cry out bitterly.
They throw dust on their heads;(AQ)
they roll in ashes.
31 They shave their heads because of you
and wrap themselves in sackcloth.
They weep over you
with deep anguish and bitter mourning.

32 “‘In their wailing they lament for you,(AR)
mourning over you:
“Who was like Tyre,
silenced[u] in the middle of the sea?
33 When your merchandise was unloaded from the seas,
you satisfied many peoples.
You enriched the kings of the earth
with your abundant wealth and goods.
34 Now you are wrecked by the sea
in the depths of the waters;
your goods and the people within you
have gone down.
35 All the inhabitants of the coasts and islands
are appalled(AS) at you.
Their kings shudder with fear;
their faces are contorted.
36 Those who trade among the peoples
scoff[v](AT) at you;
you have become an object of horror
and will never exist again.”’” (AU)

The Fall of Tyre’s Ruler

28 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Lord God says: Your[w] heart is proud, and you have said, “I am a god;(AV) I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.” Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. Yes, you are wiser than Daniel;(AW) no secret is hidden from you! By your wisdom and understanding you have acquired wealth for yourself. You have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries.(AX) By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has become proud because of your wealth.

“‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:

Because you regard your heart as that of a god,
I am about to bring strangers against you,
ruthless men from the nations.
They will draw their swords
against your magnificent wisdom
and will pierce your splendor.(AY)
They will bring you down to the Pit,(AZ)
and you will die a violent death
in the heart of the sea.
Will you still say, “I am a god,”
in the presence of those who slay[x] you?
Yet you will be only a man, not a god,
in the hands of those who kill you.
10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised(BA)
at the hands of strangers.(BB)
For I have spoken.

This is the declaration of the Lord God.’”

A Lament for Tyre’s King

11 The word of the Lord came to me: 12 “Son of man, lament(BC) for the king of Tyre and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord God says:

You were the seal[y] of perfection,[z]
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.(BD)
13 You were in Eden,(BE) the garden of God.
Every kind of precious stone covered you:
carnelian, topaz, and diamond,[aa]
beryl, onyx, and jasper,
lapis lazuli, turquoise[ab] and emerald.[ac]
Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold;(BF)
they were prepared on the day you were created.
14 You were an anointed guardian cherub,(BG)
for[ad] I had appointed you.
You were on the holy mountain of God;
you walked among the fiery stones.
15 From the day you were created
you were blameless in your ways
until wickedness was found in you.
16 Through the abundance of your trade,
you were filled with violence, and you sinned.
So I expelled you in disgrace
from the mountain of God,
and banished you, guardian cherub,[ae]
from among the fiery stones.
17 Your heart became proud because of your beauty;(BH)
For the sake of your splendor
you corrupted your wisdom.
So I threw you down to the ground;[af]
I made you a spectacle before kings.
18 You profaned your sanctuaries
by the magnitude of your iniquities
in your dishonest trade.
So I made fire come from within you,
and it consumed you.(BI)
I reduced you to ashes on the ground
in the sight of everyone watching you.
19 All those who know you among the peoples
are appalled at you.
You have become an object of horror
and will never exist again.’”(BJ)

Footnotes

  1. 26:2 Or It has swung open for me
  2. 26:7 Lit Nebuchadrezzar
  3. 26:17 Some LXX mss read ‘How you were destroyed from the seas, city of renown!
  4. 26:17 Lit and all her inhabitants who put their terror on all her inhabitants; Hb obscure
  5. 26:20 Lit the lower parts of the earth
  6. 26:20 Some Hb mss, LXX; other Hb mss, Syr read in
  7. 26:20 LXX reads or appear
  8. 27:11 Or quivers; Hb obscure
  9. 27:13 Lit souls of men
  10. 27:15 LXX reads Rhodes
  11. 27:16 Some Hb mss, Aq, Syr read Edom
  12. 27:16 Hb obscure
  13. 27:16 Hb obscure
  14. 27:16 Hb obscure
  15. 27:17 Or resin; Hb obscure
  16. 27:18 Or and wool from Zahar
  17. 27:19 Or Dan
  18. 27:19 Hb obscure
  19. 27:24 Hb obscure
  20. 27:25 Or and very glorious
  21. 27:32 Hb obscure
  22. 27:36 Lit hiss
  23. 28:2 Lit Because your
  24. 28:9 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg; other Hb mss read of the one who kills
  25. 28:12 Or sealer
  26. 28:12 Hb obscure
  27. 28:13 Hb obscure
  28. 28:13 Or malachite, or garnet
  29. 28:13 Or beryl
  30. 28:14 Or With an anointed guardian cherub
  31. 28:16 Or and the guardian cherub banished you
  32. 28:17 Or earth

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