Ezekiel 27:6
Of oaks of Bashan they made your oars; they made your deck of pines from the coasts of Cyprus, inlaid with ivory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just a list of fancy ship parts; it highlights how Tyre imported the absolute best materials from all over the known world to build its fleet. The "oaks of Bashan" and "pines from Cyprus" show raw strength, while the "ivory" speaks to opulent luxury, revealing Tyre's immense wealth and global reach.
This passage is part of a detailed lament over the city of Tyre, describing its immense wealth and the luxurious materials used in its ships. Ezekiel isn't just describing boats; he's showcasing the vast trade network and opulence that fueled Tyre's power. The verse lists exotic components like oaks from Bashan and precious wood and ivory from regions like Cyprus (Chittim), highlighting how Tyre imported the finest goods from all over the known world to build its impressive fleet.
Imagine the finest craftsmanship today. Now, picture that level of luxury applied to an ancient ship. Ezekiel's description of Tyre's fleet isn't just about boats; it's a window into a global marketplace.
The World at Tyre's Fingertips
Ezekiel 27 paints a vivid picture of Tyre, not just as a city, but as a powerhouse of international trade. This verse, in particular, highlights the exotic materials used in their magnificent ships:
These materials weren't sourced from Tyre's backyard. They came from distant lands – Bashan (east of the Jordan), Cyprus (an island in the Mediterranean), and the 'coasts of Chittim' (often understood as the Aegean islands or even wider Mediterranean shores). This demonstrates Tyre's vast trade network and the sheer distance their influence reached.
The detail of ivory being inlaid into the deck is fascinating. It speaks volumes about the artisans of Tyre, but also carries a deeper message about what Tyre valued most.
The Double-Edged Sword of Wealth
Tyre's ships were not merely functional; they were floating displays of wealth and sophistication. The use of ivory inlay is a prime example:
Understand the original words
Bashan · Hebrew Proper Noun
An extensive region east of the Jordan River, historically associated with fertility, strength, and rugged, towering trees, often serving as a symbol of pride or grandeur in the Old Testament.
Ezekiel's vivid description of Tyre's magnificent ship highlights the city's vast international trade network, sourcing materials like sturdy Bashan oak for oars and exotic ivory from the coasts of Cyprus and beyond for luxurious decking, all gathered during the height of Phoenician maritime power but just as its political fortunes began to decline under Babylonian pressure.
c. 965 BC
King Solomon's Trade Fleet
King Solomon established a naval fleet at Ezion-Geber on the Red Sea, trading with distant lands and bringing back gold, silver, ivory, and other luxury goods. This marked an early peak in Israelite maritime enterprise and trade.
c. 875 BC
Ahab's Ivory Palace
King Ahab of Israel, influenced by his Phoenician wife Jezebel, built an 'ivory house' in Samaria, indicating the increasing luxury and international trade in exotic materials like ivory within the region.
c. 750 BC
Phoenician Maritime Dominance
Tyre and other Phoenician city-states achieved their zenith as major maritime powers, dominating Mediterranean trade routes and establishing colonies across the sea, including Carthage.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Israel
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many inhabitants. This event shifted regional power dynamics and increased Assyrian influence towards the Phoenician coast.
This verse continues the description of Tyre's vast trade network, highlighting other luxurious goods like silver, iron, tin, and lead, reinforcing the theme of material wealth and international commerce seen in verse 6.
1 Kings 22:39This passage mentions Ahab making an 'ivory house,' showing that ivory was a symbol of extreme luxury and wealth in the ancient Near East, mirroring its use in the opulent ships of Tyre described in Ezekiel.
Amos 3:15Amos prophesies the destruction of winter and summer houses adorned with luxury goods, including ivory, underscoring that such opulence was often a sign of pride and impending judgment, a theme relevant to Tyre's downfall.
Psalm 45:8This psalm speaks of royal garments perfumed with myrrh and ivory, connecting ivory with royalty and wealth, and suggesting that its use in ships reflects a similar desire for display and prestige.
gillEzekiel 27:6: "Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim."
Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars,.... To row the ships with; for their ships probably were no other than galleys, which were rowed with oars, as were the ships of first invention. Bashan was a country in Judea where oaks grew; see Isaiah 2:13 . The country of Judea in general was famous for oaks; it abounded with them i…
barnesEzekiel 27:6: "Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim."
The company ... ivory - Rather, "thy benches (or, deck) made they of ivory with boxwood" (or, larch), i. e., boxwood inlaid with ivory. The isles - (or, coasts) of Chittim is a phrase used constantly for Greece and the Grecian islands. It may probably be extended to other islands in the Mediterranean sea Genesis 10:5, and there ivory…
This isn't just a list of fancy ship parts; it highlights how Tyre imported the absolute best materials from all over the known world to build its fleet. The "oaks of Bashan" and "pines from Cyprus" show raw strength, while the "ivory" speaks to opulent luxury, revealing Tyre's immense wealth and global reach.
This passage is part of a detailed lament over the city of Tyre, describing its immense wealth and the luxurious materials used in its ships. Ezekiel isn't just describing boats; he's showcasing the vast trade network and opulence that fueled Tyre's power. The verse lists exotic components like oaks from Bashan and precious wood and ivory from regions like Cyprus (Chittim), highlighting how Tyre imported the finest goods from all over the known world to build its impressive fleet.
This passage is part of a detailed lament over the city of Tyre, describing its immense wealth and the luxurious materials used in its ships. Ezekiel isn't just describing boats; he's showcasing the vast trade network and opulence that fueled Tyre's power. The verse lists exotic components like oaks from Bashan and precious wood and ivory from regions like Cyprus (Chittim), highlighting how Tyre imported the finest goods from all over the known world to build its impressive fleet.
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c. 680 BC
Assyrian Siege of Tyre
The Neo-Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged the island city of Tyre for several years but ultimately failed to conquer it, demonstrating Tyre's resilience and naval strength.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquered Jerusalem, destroying the Temple and exiling a significant portion of the Judean population. This event marked the end of the Davidic monarchy and intensified diaspora communities.
c. 573 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Tyre
Nebuchadnezzar II conducted a lengthy siege of Tyre, which had moved its primary population to an island fortress. While Tyre eventually submitted, its prosperity was significantly impacted.
"Of oaks of Bashan they made your oars; they made your deck of pines from the coasts of Cyprus, inlaid with ivory." — This isn't just a list of fancy ship parts; it highlights how Tyre imported the absolute best materials from all over the known world to build its fleet. The "oaks of Bashan" and "pines from Cyprus"…
