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.

EZEKIEL 27:10KJV
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Ezekiel 27:10 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:10 mean?

Ezekiel 27:10 portrays Tyre as a wealthy city whose fighting force includes men from distant lands. Their weapons protect the city, but they also add to its splendid appearance. The verse presents military strength as part of Tyre’s public display of wealth and power.

God speaks to Tyre through Ezekiel in a song of mourning. Tyre is pictured as a magnificent ship, and the shields and helmets hanging on display add to that picture. The verse moves from the ship’s crew to its defenders.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:10

  • “army” — חַיִל (ḥayil): This word can mean a force or strength. Here, it points to the fighting force at Tyre’s disposal.
  • “comeliness” — הָדָר (hadar): This word carries the sense of splendor or majesty. The KJV’s “comeliness” describes an impressive appearance, not just physical attractiveness.

Why Ezekiel 27:10 matters

  • The verse shows Tyre drawing on people beyond its own borders. Persia, Lud, and Phut were regions outside the city, and their men served among its fighters.
  • The hanging weapons make defense part of the city’s display. The verse says the shields and helmets were hung “in thee” and contributed to Tyre’s splendor.
  • The splendor belongs within a song of mourning. Ezekiel is told to take up that song for Tyre in verse 2, so the impressive picture is presented with the city’s loss in view.

Where else these words appear

“Lud” Hebrew H3865 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:17 The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

“helmet” Hebrew H3553 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
  • Jeremiah 46:4 Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.

“Phut” Hebrew H6316 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 10:6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
  • Jeremiah 46:9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
  • Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

“Persia” Hebrew H6539 · used in 24 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 36:20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
  • Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
  • Esther 1:19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.