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.

EZEKIEL 27:3KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 27:3 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:3 mean?

Ezekiel 27:3 records God’s message to the city of Tyre, describing it as a proud trading city at the entrance to the sea, known for dealing with many distant peoples, and boasting about its perfect beauty. The verse highlights Tyre’s self-confidence and its important role as a center of commerce among many nations.

In this verse, God instructs Ezekiel to speak directly to Tyre (called “Tyrus” in the King James Version). Tyre was a wealthy port city on the Mediterranean coast, famous for its trade with many islands and peoples. The verse sets the stage for a prophecy about Tyre’s pride and coming judgment, focusing on how the city saw itself as flawless and beautiful.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:3

  • תִּרֹס (Tyrus, transliterated "Tsor"): This is the Hebrew name for Tyre, the city being addressed. Its mention emphasizes that the prophecy is directed at a specific, well-known trading power.
  • יֹשֶׁבֶת (situate, transliterated "yoshevet"): This word means “dwelling” or “situated,” highlighting Tyre’s strategic location at the “entry of the sea,” which made it a gateway for trade.
  • רֹכֶלֶת (merchant, transliterated "rokhelet"): This term refers to a trader or merchant, underlining Tyre’s identity as a commercial hub dealing with “many isles” or distant lands.
  • כָּלִיל (perfect, transliterated "kalil"): This word means “complete” or “perfect,” and here it describes Tyre’s boast about its own beauty, showing the city’s pride and self-image.

Why Ezekiel 27:3 matters

  • Ezekiel 27:3 helps clarify that Tyre’s strength and reputation came from its position as a major trading port, not from military power or territory.
  • The verse reveals Tyre’s pride, which is a key theme in the surrounding chapters—God is addressing not just Tyre’s actions, but its attitude.
  • Understanding this verse gives context to the rest of Ezekiel 27, which uses the image of a beautiful ship to describe Tyre’s rise and eventual fall, making the city’s self-confidence an important setup for the coming prophecy.

Where else these words appear

“merchant” Hebrew H7402 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
  • Song of Solomon 3:6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
  • Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.

“perfect” Hebrew H3632 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 28:31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
  • Numbers 4:6 And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
  • Psalms 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

“beauty” Hebrew H3308 · used in 19 verses

  • Esther 1:11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
  • Isaiah 33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
  • 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.

“isles” Hebrew H339 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Isaiah 41:5 The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
  • Jeremiah 25:22 And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,