They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.

EZEKIEL 27:5KJV
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Ezekiel 27:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:5 mean?

Ezekiel 27:5 describes how the boards of Tyre’s ships were made from fir trees from Senir, and their masts were crafted from cedars taken from Lebanon. The verse highlights the use of the finest materials in building Tyre’s trading ships, emphasizing the city’s wealth and importance in trade.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking a message from God to the city of Tyre, a major trading hub on the Mediterranean coast. In this section, Ezekiel uses the image of a splendidly built ship to represent Tyre itself, showing how the city gathered the best resources from distant places. The mention of Senir (a mountain region) and Lebanon points to Tyre’s wide reach and the high quality of its craftsmanship.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:5

  • סְנִיר (Senir, transliterated "Senir") refers to a mountain region, often identified with Mount Hermon. This shows Tyre’s ability to source materials from far-off, notable locations.
  • אֶרֶז (’erez, transliterated "cedars") means "cedars," famous for their strength and quality, especially those from Lebanon. Using these for masts underlines the luxury and durability of Tyre’s ships.
  • לְבָנוֹן (Levanon, transliterated "Lebanon") is the region known for its valuable cedar forests, reinforcing the idea of Tyre’s access to the best natural resources.

Why Ezekiel 27:5 matters

  • Ezekiel 27:5 helps the reader see Tyre’s pride in its wealth and international connections, setting the stage for the chapter’s later warnings about the city’s downfall.
  • The verse clarifies that Tyre’s greatness was built on resources and skills gathered from many lands, not just local means, which highlights the city’s dependence on others.
  • Understanding the specific woods and regions mentioned gives deeper insight into the historical and economic context of Tyre’s maritime power.

Where else these words appear

“masts” Hebrew H8650 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 30:17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

“Senir” Hebrew H8149 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:9 ( Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)
  • 1 Chronicles 5:23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.
  • Song of Solomon 4:8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

“trees” Hebrew H1265 · used in 20 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
  • 2 Kings 19:23 By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
  • Isaiah 41:19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:

“boards” Hebrew H3871 · used in 33 verses

  • Exodus 24:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
  • Exodus 38:7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.
  • Deuteronomy 10:4 And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.