King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:10 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:10 in the King James Version says “They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; the...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.”

Ezekiel 27:10 · KJV

Context

8

The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.

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. calkers: or, stoppers of chinks: Heb. strengtheners, etc

10

They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.

11

The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.

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.

Read Ezekiel 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war (אַנְשֵׁי מִלְחַמְתֵּךְ, anshei milchamtekh)—Tyre hired mercenaries from vast geographic extremes: Persia (modern Iran, far east), Lud (Lydia in Asia Minor, northeast), and Phut (Libya/North Africa, southwest). These weren't allies but paid soldiers (anshei milchamah, "men of war"), revealing Tyre's wealth could purchase military protection from the known world's edges. They hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness (הֵמָּה נָתְנוּ הֲדָרֵךְ, hemmah nathnu hadarekh)—the displayed weaponry served dual purpose: defense and hadar ("splendor/majesty"), turning military might into aesthetic boasting.

Tyre's security rested on hired foreigners, not covenant relationship with the living God. Compare Israel: God Himself fought their battles when they trusted Him (Exodus 14:14). Tyre's judgment exposes the futility of military pageantry divorced from divine favor.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Persian Empire had not yet risen to dominance when Ezekiel prophesied (c. 586 BC)—this either refers to Persia as a region/people or demonstrates prophetic foresight. Lud (Lydia) in western Asia Minor was famous for its wealth and military prowess. Phut (likely Libya) represented North African military power. Ancient Near Eastern kingdoms regularly employed mercenaries; the Phoenician cities, lacking large native populations, relied heavily on hired troops. The practice of displaying shields on city walls appears in ancient reliefs and texts as both defense and prestige.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are modern equivalents of trusting in hired protection rather than God's provision and presence?
  2. How does the display of military or financial strength as "splendor" mask spiritual vulnerability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
פָּרַ֨ס1 of 14

“They of Persia”

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

וְל֤וּד2 of 14

“and of Lud”

H3865

lud, the name of two nations

וּפוּט֙3 of 14

“and of Phut”

H6316

put, a son of ham, also the name of his descendants or their region, and of a persian tribe

הָי֣וּ4 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְחֵילֵ֔ךְ5 of 14

“were in thine army”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

אַנְשֵׁ֖י6 of 14
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִלְחַמְתֵּ֑ךְ7 of 14

“of war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

מָגֵ֤ן8 of 14

“the shield”

H4043

a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile

וְכוֹבַע֙9 of 14

“and helmet”

H3553

a helmet (as arched)

תִּלּוּ10 of 14

“they hanged”

H8518

to suspend (especially to gibbet)

בָ֔ךְ11 of 14
H0
הֵ֖מָּה12 of 14
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

נָתְנ֥וּ13 of 14

“in thee they set forth”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הֲדָרֵֽךְ׃14 of 14

“thy comeliness”

H1926

magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 27:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 27:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 38:5Ezekiel 30:5Isaiah 66:19Jeremiah 46:9Song of Solomon 4:41 Chronicles 1:17

Places in This Verse

Lud 1Region · Modern: Sardis · 38.49°N, 28.04°E2 verses across 2 books
PersiaRegion · Modern: Tell Hagmatana · 34.81°N, 48.52°E27 verses across 5 books
PutRegion · Modern: Cyrene · 32.82°N, 21.85°E6 verses across 4 books
View all places in Ezekiel 27 →

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