King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:30 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:30 in the King James Version says “And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, t...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:”

Ezekiel 27:30 · KJV

Context

28

The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots. suburbs: or, waves

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;

30

And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:

31

And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.

32

And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?

Read Ezekiel 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall stand upon the land; and shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly—The maritime workers stand on אֶל־הָאָרֶץ (ʾel-hāʾāreṣ, 'on the land'), displaced from their natural element. They וְהִשְׁמִיעוּ עָלַיִךְ בְּקוֹלָם (wĕhishmîʿû ʿālayik bĕqôlām, 'cause to be heard upon you with their voice').

וְיִזְעֲקוּ מָרָה (wĕyizʿăqû mārāh, 'and they shall cry bitterly')—the verb זָעַק (zāʿaq) indicates anguished outcry, while מָרָה (mārāh, 'bitter') suggests grief mixed with despair. Their lament is both for Tyre and for their own livelihoods destroyed with her. Economic interdependence means Tyre's judgment cascades to all who benefited from her trade. This collective mourning demonstrates how one nation's pride and judgment affects entire regions—a principle seen when any economic superpower collapses.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient economies were less diversified than modern ones; Tyre's fall devastated Mediterranean commerce. Ezekiel 27:12-24 lists Tyre's trade partners: Tarshish (Spain), Greece, Tubal, Meshech, Togarmah, Dedan, Arabia, Sheba—a vast network. When the hub collapsed, the entire system suffered. Historical records show economic depression followed Babylon's campaigns.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does economic interconnection mean one nation's sin affects many?
  2. What is the spiritual danger of building identity and security on commercial success?
  3. How should believers respond when economic systems they depend on face judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְהִשְׁמִ֤יעוּ1 of 11

“to be heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

עָלַ֙יִךְ֙2 of 11
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּקוֹלָ֔ם3 of 11

“And shall cause their voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וְיִזְעֲק֖וּ4 of 11

“against thee and shall cry”

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

מָרָ֑ה5 of 11

“bitterly”

H4751

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly

וְיַעֲל֤וּ6 of 11

“and shall cast up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עָֽפָר֙7 of 11

“dust”

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

עַל8 of 11
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רָ֣אשֵׁיהֶ֔ם9 of 11

“upon their heads”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

בָּאֵ֖פֶר10 of 11

“themselves in the ashes”

H665

ashes

יִתְפַּלָּֽשׁוּ׃11 of 11

“they shall wallow”

H6428

to roll (in dust)

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 27:30 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 27:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 6:262 Samuel 1:2Lamentations 2:10Isaiah 23:1-6Ezekiel 26:171 Samuel 4:12

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 27 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 27 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes