Ezekiel 27:36
The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The word "hiss" here doesn't just mean mockery, but also conveys a sense of stunned astonishment or dismay, like people calling out in disbelief at such a complete and utter ruin. It highlights how Tyre's downfall was so shocking it left even its trading partners speechless and in dread.
This verse concludes Ezekiel's elaborate lament over the mighty city of Tyre, a powerful trading empire depicted as a magnificent ship. Having detailed Tyre's destruction by its enemies in the preceding verses, the prophet now shifts to the reactions of the global merchant class. They, who once benefited from Tyre's commerce, will now marvel with astonishment and dismay at its utter and permanent annihilation.
The word 'hiss' paints a vivid picture, but what emotion does it truly convey here? Is it mockery, or something deeper?
The prophet uses 'hiss' to capture the stunned, almost disbelieving reaction to Tyre's total downfall. This isn't just about gloating; it's about witnesses, likely fellow merchants and traders, being struck with awe and terror.
The verse declares Tyre will 'never shall be any more.' What does this absolute finality mean for a powerful city?
Ezekiel 27:36 pronounces an irrevocable sentence on Tyre: 'never shall be any more.' This isn't a temporary setback, but an eternal obliteration.
Understand the original words
socherim · Hebrew Noun
An individual or group engaged in trade, business, or the exchange of goods. In a biblical context, this often refers to those seeking profit, sometimes highlighting the precarious nature of worldly wealth.
sharaq · Hebrew Verb
A vocal expression of contempt, mockery, derision, or shock. In Scripture, it often accompanies the fall of the proud or the judgment of God against a wicked nation.
ballahoth · Hebrew Noun
A state of being characterized by extreme terror, horror, or amazement. It frequently describes the reaction of onlookers to God's severe and irreversible judgment on a kingdom or city.
olam · Hebrew Noun
The prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 27 describes the utter devastation awaiting the city, particularly highlighting the astonished reactions of merchants who once traded with her. This verse vividly portrays the final, catastrophic end of Tyre's unparalleled commercial might, a fate sealed by Alexander the Great's conquest.
Late 9th century BC
Assyrian Campaigns in Phoenicia
Assyrian kings like Shalmaneser III campaigned against Phoenician cities, including Tyre, demanding tribute and asserting dominance. This established a precedent for foreign powers exerting influence over the region.
701 BC
Sennacherib's Siege of Tyre
The Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib laid siege to Tyre, but the city, protected by its island fortress, successfully resisted. This demonstrated Tyre's resilience and its growing independence from land-based powers.
586 BC
Babylonian Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar II and the Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered Jerusalem and exiled many of its people. Tyre rejoiced at Jerusalem's fall, anticipating increased trade, a short-sighted move that would soon be contrasted with its own doom.
574–563 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Tyre
Nebuchadnezzar II laid a lengthy 13-year siege against Tyre, which was famously resilient due to its island location. While the city eventually submitted, this marked a significant challenge to its dominance.
This passage echoes the utter destruction of Tyre, stating 'I will bring you to a dreadful end, and you will be no more. Though you are sought for, you will never be found again,' directly supporting the finality of the judgment in Ezekiel 27:36.
Jeremiah 50:15-16This prophecy against Babylon describes nations 'hissing' at her and her utter downfall, paralleling the reaction of merchants and the complete obliteration of Tyre in Ezekiel 27:36.
Revelation 18:9-10This passage describes the kings of the earth weeping and wailing over the fall of 'Babylon the great,' fearing her torment and recognizing her destruction, which reflects the 'hissing' of merchants and Tyre becoming a 'terror' in Ezekiel 27:36.
Isaiah 23:15-16While Isaiah also prophesies Tyre's fall, this passage notes that after seventy years, Tyre will be 'put out of mind' like a prostitute, suggesting a period of obscurity rather than complete annihilation, adding a layer of nuance to the finality described in Ezekiel 27:36.
clarkeEzekiel 27:36: "The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more."
Shall hiss at thee - שרקו shareku, shall shriek for thee. This powerfully expresses the sensation made on the feelings of the spectators on the shore when they saw the vessel swallowed up.
ellicottEzekiel 27:36: "The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more."
(36) Shall hiss at thee. —In Ezekiel 27:35 the prophet again drops the figure of the ship, and looking forward (as in Ezekiel 26:4-6 ; Ezekiel 26:12-14 ) to the end, speaks of the final and utter overthrow which shall come upon Tyre. The word hiss is used, as in Isaiah 5:26 ; Isaiah 7:18 ; Zechariah 10:8 , &c., in the sense of calling for. The prophet tells us that the people…
The word "hiss" here doesn't just mean mockery, but also conveys a sense of stunned astonishment or dismay, like people calling out in disbelief at such a complete and utter ruin. It highlights how Tyre's downfall was so shocking it left even its trading partners speechless and in dread.
This verse concludes Ezekiel's elaborate lament over the mighty city of Tyre, a powerful trading empire depicted as a magnificent ship. Having detailed Tyre's destruction by its enemies in the preceding verses, the prophet now shifts to the reactions of the global merchant class. They, who once benefited from Tyre's commerce, will now marvel with astonishment and dismay at its utter and permanent annihilation.
This verse concludes Ezekiel's elaborate lament over the mighty city of Tyre, a powerful trading empire depicted as a magnificent ship. Having detailed Tyre's destruction by its enemies in the preceding verses, the prophet now shifts to the reactions of the global merchant class. They, who once benefited from Tyre's commerce, will now marvel with astonishment and dismay at its utter and permanent annihilation.
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An indicator of permanent cessation or absolute termination. It signifies the irrevocable nature of God's decree, indicating that what once existed will never be restored or encountered again.
332 BC— this verse
Alexander the Great's Siege of Tyre
Alexander the Great besieged and conquered Tyre after a determined seven-month struggle. He built a causeway to reach the island city, ultimately destroying it and bringing an end to its independent power.
Post-Alexander Era
Tyre's Decline and Rediscovery
After Alexander's conquest, Tyre never regained its former glory as an independent commercial superpower. While it continued to be inhabited and held strategic importance, its era of unparalleled dominance was over.
"The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.’”" — The word "hiss" here doesn't just mean mockery, but also conveys a sense of stunned astonishment or dismay, like people calling out in disbelief at such a complete and utter ruin. It highlights how T…
