King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:9 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:9 in the King James Version says “The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers : all the ships of the sea with their mariners w...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 27:9 · KJV

Context

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

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.

Read Ezekiel 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers (זִקְנֵי גְבַל וַחֲכָמֶיהָ, ziqnei Geval wachakameiha)—Gebal (Greek Byblos, modern Jbeil, Lebanon) provided calkers (מַחֲזִיקֵי בִדְקֵךְ, machaziqi vidqekh), literally "strengtheners of your cracks," the shipwrights who sealed hull seams with pitch and oakum. The "ancients" (ziqnei) suggests master craftsmen, not merely elders—wisdom gained through generational expertise. All the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise (לַעֲרֹב מַעֲרָבֵךְ, la'arov ma'aravekh)—the verb 'arav means "to exchange/barter," depicting Tyre as the Mediterranean's trading hub where all maritime commerce converged.

Gebal's fame for craftsmanship (they supplied timber and artisans for Solomon's temple, 1 Kings 5:18) now serves Tyre's commercial empire. The tragedy: skills meant for God's house now build ships of prideful trade.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gebal (Byblos) was one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities (settled c. 5000 BC), famous for cedar export and shipbuilding. The city's name gave us the Greek word biblion ("book") because Egyptian papyrus was shipped through Byblos. By 586 BC, Tyre dominated Phoenician trade, with ships from across the Mediterranean bringing cargo for redistribution. Archaeological underwater excavations at Tyre reveal massive harbor installations confirming its role as the ancient world's premier trading port.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do gifts and skills intended for God's glory become co-opted by prideful commercial or personal ambitions?
  2. What does it mean to be a "trading hub" for spiritual goods—and when does facilitating exchange become mere merchandising?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
זִקְנֵ֨י1 of 15

“The ancients”

H2205

old

גְבַ֤ל2 of 15

“of Gebal”

H1380

gebal, a place in phoenicia

וַחֲכָמֶ֙יהָ֙3 of 15

“and the wise”

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

הָ֣יוּ4 of 15
H1961

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

בָ֔ךְ5 of 15
H0
מַחֲזִיקֵ֖י6 of 15
H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

בִּדְקֵ֑ךְ7 of 15

“men thereof were in thee thy calkers”

H919

a gap or leak (in a building or a ship)

כָּל8 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֳנִיּ֨וֹת9 of 15

“all the ships”

H591

a ship

הַיָּ֤ם10 of 15

“of the sea”

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

וּמַלָּֽחֵיהֶם֙11 of 15

“with their mariners”

H4419

a sailor (as following 'the salt')

הָ֣יוּ12 of 15
H1961

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

בָ֔ךְ13 of 15
H0
לַעֲרֹ֖ב14 of 15

“were in thee to occupy”

H6148

to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)

מַעֲרָבֵֽךְ׃15 of 15

“thy merchandise”

H4627

traffic; by implication, mercantile goods

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 27:9 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 27:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 5:18Joshua 13:5Psalms 83:7

Places in This Verse

Gebal 1Settlement · Modern: Byblos · 34.12°N, 35.65°E3 verses across 3 books
View all places in Ezekiel 27 →

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