King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:31 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:31 in the King James Version says “And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bi...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 27:31 · KJV

Context

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?

33

When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes—Ancient Near Eastern mourning rituals: וְהֶעֱלוּ עָפָר עַל־רָאשֵׁיהֶם (wĕheʿĕlû ʿāphār ʿal-rāshêhem, 'cast up dust upon their heads') and בָּאֵפֶר יִתְפַּלָּשׁוּ (bāʾēpher yitpallāshû, 'in ashes they shall wallow'). The verb פָּלַשׁ (pālash, 'to roll/wallow') suggests desperate, unrestrained grief.

And they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing—The repetition of מָר (mār, 'bitter') intensifies the description: מַר־נֶפֶשׁ (mar-nephesh, 'bitter of soul') and מִסְפֵּד מָר (mispēd mār, 'bitter lamentation'). This is not polite mourning but visceral anguish. Yet their grief is selfish—they mourn lost profits, not lost souls; commercial opportunity, not covenant relationship. This contrasts sharply with godly grief over sin (2 Corinthians 7:10). Their 'bitter wailing' reveals the emptiness of lamenting judgment while remaining unchanged by it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological excavations at ancient sites show mourning customs: burial jars containing ashes, figurines depicting mourners with raised hands, texts describing professional mourners and elaborate funeral rites. In Phoenician culture, mourning rituals for national catastrophes were intense, public, and extended. Ezekiel's description matches historical records of ancient Mediterranean mourning practices.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between mourning consequences and mourning sin itself?
  2. How does worldly grief differ from godly grief that leads to repentance?
  3. When have you mourned lost opportunities without addressing underlying spiritual issues?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְהִקְרִ֤יחוּ1 of 11

“bald”

H7139

to depilate

אֵלַ֙יִךְ֙2 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קָרְחָ֔ה3 of 11

“And they shall make themselves utterly”

H7144

baldness

וְחָגְר֖וּ4 of 11

“for thee and gird”

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

שַׂקִּ֑ים5 of 11

“them with sackcloth”

H8242

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai

וּבָכ֥וּ6 of 11

“and they shall weep”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

אֵלַ֛יִךְ7 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָֽר׃8 of 11

“and bitter”

H4751

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

נֶ֖פֶשׁ9 of 11

“of heart”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מִסְפֵּ֥ד10 of 11

“wailing”

H4553

a lamentation

מָֽר׃11 of 11

“and bitter”

H4751

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

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 27:31 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 27:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 22:12Ezekiel 7:18Isaiah 15:2Isaiah 16:9Isaiah 22:4Jeremiah 48:37

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