King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:7 in the King James Version says “Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the i...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee. blue: or, purple and scarlet”

Ezekiel 27:7 · KJV

Context

5

They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee. made: Heb. built

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: or, they have made thy hatches of ivory well trodden company: Heb. daughter

7

Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee. blue: or, purple and scarlet

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

Read Ezekiel 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee—The ship metaphor continues with Tyre's sails and awnings. The Hebrew shesh berikmah miMitzrayim (שֵׁשׁ בְּרִקְמָה מִמִּצְרַיִם, "fine linen with embroidery from Egypt") describes expensive fabric. Egyptian linen was the ancient world's finest—white, strong, and finely woven, perfect for sails. "That which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail" (mifrasekh, מִפְרָשֵׂךְ) indicates the ship's primary sail, its identifying banner visible from afar.

"Blue and purple from the isles of Elishah"—These royal colors came from Phoenicia's famous purple dye, extracted from murex sea snails (requiring thousands of shells per ounce of dye). Elishah likely refers to Cyprus or Greek coastal regions. The Hebrew tekhelet ve'argaman (תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן, "blue and purple") were the most expensive dyes in antiquity, reserved for royalty and temples—hence 'royal purple.' "That which covered thee" (mikhasekh, מְכַסֶּךְ) refers to the ship's awning or canopy. Tyre's merchant ships were floating palaces, advertising wealth and power. Yet this magnificence becomes a funeral shroud when the ship sinks (v. 26-27).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egyptian linen production was sophisticated—tomb paintings show detailed weaving processes. The finest linen was nearly transparent, used for priestly garments and royal clothing. Phoenician purple dye (Tyrian purple) was so valuable it became synonymous with royalty—Roman emperors wore purple togas; Byzantine emperors were 'born in the purple.' Archaeological excavations at Tyre and Sidon have uncovered massive heaps of crushed murex shells—remnants of the dye industry. A single gram of pure Tyrian purple required 10,000 shellfish. This extraordinarily expensive industry collapsed with Tyre's fall—another fulfillment of prophecy. The ship metaphor climaxes in verses 26-27 when the 'east wind' (Babylon) sinks Tyre's magnificent vessel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Tyre's elaborate display of wealth through expensive fabrics and dyes parallel modern status symbols that proclaim success?
  2. What does the eventual sinking of this magnificent 'ship' teach about the ultimate worthlessness of material splendor without God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
שֵׁשׁ1 of 14

“Fine linen”

H8336

bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble

בְּרִקְמָ֤ה2 of 14

“with broidered work”

H7553

variegation of color; specifically, embroidery

מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙3 of 14

“from Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הָיָ֣ה4 of 14
H1961

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

מִפְרָשֵׂ֔ךְ5 of 14

“was that which thou spreadest forth”

H4666

an expansion

לִהְי֥וֹת6 of 14
H1961

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

לָ֖ךְ7 of 14
H0
לְנֵ֑ס8 of 14

“to be thy sail”

H5251

a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token

תְּכֵ֧לֶת9 of 14

“blue”

H8504

the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith

וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן10 of 14

“and purple”

H713

purple (the color or the dyed stuff)

מֵאִיֵּ֥י11 of 14

“from the isles”

H339

properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island

אֱלִישָׁ֖ה12 of 14

“of Elishah”

H473

elishah, a son of javan

הָיָ֥ה13 of 14
H1961

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

מְכַסֵּֽךְ׃14 of 14

“was that which covered”

H4374

a covering, i.e., garment; specifically, a coverlet (for a bed), an awning (from the sun); also the omentum (as covering the intestines)

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 27:7 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 27:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 10:9Exodus 25:4Genesis 10:4Isaiah 19:91 Kings 10:28Proverbs 7:16

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
ElishahIsland · Modern: Cyprus · 35.00°N, 33.00°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Ezekiel 27 →

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