King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:33 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:33 in the King James Version says “When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 27:33 · KJV

Context

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.

34

In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.

35

All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance.

Read Ezekiel 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?—The rhetorical question מִי כְצוֹר כַּדּוּמָה בְּתוֹךְ הַיָּם (mî khĕṣôr kaddûmāh bĕthôkh hayyām, 'who is like Tyre, like the silenced in the midst of the sea?') uses דּוּמָה (dûmāh, 'silence/desolation'), suggesting Tyre's voice is stilled forever.

This echoes laments over Babylon ('who is like Babylon?'—Revelation 18:18) and represents humanity's astonishment when seemingly invincible powers fall. Tyre appeared impregnable: island fortress, commercial dominance, wealth beyond measure. Yet God silenced her. The question highlights not just Tyre's uniqueness but the shock of her destruction—if mighty Tyre can fall, no human achievement is secure. Only God's kingdom is unshakable (Hebrews 12:27-28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre's island location made it nearly impregnable to ancient siege warfare. It resisted Assyrian king Shalmaneser V for five years (724-720 BC) and Nebuchadnezzar for thirteen years (585-573 BC). Many doubted Tyre could fall. Yet Alexander the Great destroyed it in 332 BC by building a causeway from mainland to island—a feat considered impossible. The rhetorical question proved ironic: Tyre's uniqueness made her fall more stunning.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern powers seem 'like Tyre'—too established to fall?
  2. How does human shock at judgment reveal our false confidence in worldly security?
  3. What does Tyre's uniqueness-turned-vulnerability teach about pride?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
בְּצֵ֤את1 of 12

“went forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

עִזְבוֹנַ֙יִךְ֙2 of 12

“When thy wares”

H5801

trade, i.e., the place (mart) or the payment (revenue)

מִיַּמִּ֔ים3 of 12

“out of the seas”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הִשְׂבַּ֖עַתְּ4 of 12

“thou filledst”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

עַמִּ֣ים5 of 12

“people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רַבִּ֑ים6 of 12

“many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

בְּרֹ֤ב7 of 12

“with the multitude”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

הוֹנַ֙יִךְ֙8 of 12

“of thy riches”

H1952

wealth; by implication, enough

וּמַ֣עֲרָבַ֔יִךְ9 of 12

“and of thy merchandise”

H4627

traffic; by implication, mercantile goods

הֶעֱשַׁ֖רְתְּ10 of 12

“thou didst enrich”

H6238

properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich

מַלְכֵי11 of 12

“the kings”

H4428

a king

אָֽרֶץ׃12 of 12

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 27:33 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 27:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 18:19Ezekiel 28:16Ezekiel 27:3Revelation 18:3Ezekiel 28:4-5Ezekiel 27:12-36

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