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 27:9KJV
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Ezekiel 27:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:9 mean?

Ezekiel 27:9 describes how the skilled elders and wise men from Gebal served as expert repairers for Tyre’s ships, and how sailors from all over the sea came to Tyre to trade and do business. The verse highlights Tyre’s reputation as a major trading hub, supported by the best craftsmen and merchants from many places.

In this part of the book, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message about the city of Tyre, using the image of a grand ship to represent Tyre’s wealth and importance. The verse shows that Tyre attracted the most experienced workers and traders, emphasizing its status and the international nature of its commerce.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:9

  • גְּבַל (Gebal, transliterated "Gəḇāl"): Gebal was a city known for its skilled craftsmen, especially in shipbuilding and repairs. Mentioning Gebal underlines the high quality of Tyre’s maritime industry.
  • חָכָם (ḥākām, “wise”): This word refers to people with skill and expertise, not just general wisdom. Here, it points to technical know-how in ship maintenance.
  • חָשַׁב (ḥāshav, “calkers”): This word is used for those who repair and seal ships, making them seaworthy. Their presence in Tyre shows the city’s commitment to maintaining its trading fleet.
  • אֳנִיָּה (’oniyyāh, “ships”): The word for ships is plural, emphasizing that Tyre was a center for many vessels, not just a few.

Why Ezekiel 27:9 matters

  • This verse clears up that Tyre’s greatness was not just about wealth, but also about attracting the best talent and expertise from other nations, making it a true international port.
  • The mention of specific roles like “calkers” and “mariners” highlights the complexity and organization of Tyre’s trade, showing it was a well-run operation rather than a random collection of merchants.
  • In the wider context, this verse is part of a poetic description that sets up Tyre’s coming downfall, making the city’s loss more striking by first painting a picture of its former glory and connections.

Where else these words appear

“mariners” Hebrew H4419 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
  • Ezekiel 27:29 And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;
  • Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

“calkers” Hebrew H919 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Kings 12:5 Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.
  • 2 Kings 12:7 Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
  • 2 Kings 12:12 And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.

“merchandise” Hebrew H4627 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.
  • Ezekiel 27:19 Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.
  • Ezekiel 27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.

“occupy” Hebrew H6148 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 43:9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
  • Psalms 119:122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
  • Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.