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.

EZEKIEL 27:33KJV
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Ezekiel 27:33 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:33 mean?

Ezekiel 27:33 describes how the trade goods of Tyre, brought by sea, supplied and enriched many people and made the kings of the earth wealthy through the abundance of Tyre’s riches and merchandise. The verse highlights Tyre’s role as a major trading center whose prosperity benefited many nations and rulers.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to pronounce judgment on the city of Tyre. Tyre was famous in the ancient world for its seafaring trade, and this verse emphasizes how its commercial success had far-reaching effects. The verse is part of a lament describing Tyre’s former glory before its downfall, showing how its wealth and influence touched many lives.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:33

  • The word for "wares" (אָוֶן, 'aven) here refers to goods or merchandise, emphasizing the commercial aspect of Tyre’s influence.
  • "Seas" (יָם, yam) points to Tyre’s location and its reliance on maritime trade, which was central to its wealth.
  • "Filledst" (שָׂבַע, sava) means to satisfy or supply abundantly, showing that Tyre’s trade met the needs of many people, not just a few.
  • "Enrich" (עָשַׁר, ashar) means to make wealthy, underlining how Tyre’s prosperity overflowed to kings and nations, not just its own citizens.

Why Ezekiel 27:33 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Tyre’s importance was not just local; its trade had a global impact in the ancient world, reaching many peoples and rulers.
  • The emphasis on abundance and enrichment shows how interconnected ancient economies were, with Tyre as a hub.
  • Understanding this verse helps set up the contrast in Ezekiel’s prophecy between Tyre’s former glory and the coming judgment and downfall described in the surrounding verses.

Where else these words appear

“wares” Hebrew H5801 · used in 7 verses

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

“merchandise” Hebrew H4627 · used in 8 verses

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

“enrich” Hebrew H6238 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
  • Psalms 65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
  • Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

“riches” Hebrew H1952 · used in 26 verses

  • Psalms 44:12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
  • Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
  • Proverbs 28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.