CHAP. XXVII.
The riches and extensive commerce of Tyre shewn, 1-25. Her
dreadful and irrecoverable fall predicted, 26-36.
HE word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
2 Now, thou son of man, a take up a lamentation for Tyrus;
3 And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GoD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am * of perfect beauty.
4 Thy borders are in the midst of the seas; thy builders have perfected thy beau
ty.
5 They have made all thy ship -boards of fir trees e of Senir: they have taken fcedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.
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.
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.
8 The inhabitants of Zidon and m Ar
vad 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.
moted by the destruction of all who oppose them.
NOTES.
sorts of commerce, may become, like Tyre, "a place for the spreading of nets," and "a spoil to the nations." We have abundant cause for gratitude on account of that exemption from war in our land, with which we are favored; and to pray that it may be continued to us and our posterity: for the condition of invaded countries, and besieged and plundered cities, is most dreadful. Indeed nothing can reconcile the humane reflecting Christian to the horrors and carnage of war, but the conV. 3, 3,4. Tyre was situated upon the Medisideration, that the righteous Lord is thus dis-terranean sea, and formed the nearest entrance
playing his glory, and making way for the establishment of his kingdom of truth and
holiness.
V. 15-21.
They, who carefully study the Scriptures, will derive advantage even from the desolations of war, through successive generations, and in the most distant regions; as they will thence deduce still fuller proof of the divine inspiration of that sacred book, which is the sole rule of their conduct and the only foundation of their hopes. Every discovery of a
CHAP. XXVII. V. 2. 'This alludes to the 'mournful ditties used at funerals, wherein the ... mourning women recounted every thing, 'that was valuable or praise-worthy, belonging 'to the deceased, and then lamented his loss. 'Jer. 9:17,18.' Lowth . (32. 26:17,18. Note, 2 Sam . 1:19-27.)
to it from the interior and eastern part of Asia. It was therefore every way conveniently placed, to unite in commerce Asia, Africa, and Europe, the whole of the known world at that time: especially it was the centre for the trade of Asia and the East Indies, with the many isles and countries of Europe. Old Old Tyre was built upon the sea-coast on the continent; the new city was upon an island, about half a mile from the shore. In both, the builders had done their utmost to render every thing commodious, elegant, and magnificent, in the greatest degree: so that they seemed to have "perfected their beauty." Of these improve
remarkable fulfilment of any scripture-proph-ments in architecture, and in every thing con
ecy, is like an evident miracle wrought before their eyes for the confirmation of their faith: and this evidence is continually accumulating upon them, in connexion "with the witness in themselves" which they enjoy in their own experience. Being thus instructed and established in the faith, we should use redoubled diligence, to obtain and possess the full assurance of our citizenship, in that city, which has
nected with the most extensive trade, and the most abundant prosperity, the Tyrians were become exceedingly proud; and they thought their city a perfect model, and superior to all others in the world. ( Marg.and Marg . Ref. Notes , 28:12—15. Is . 23:2-9.)
V.5-9. In the subsequent description of the navigation and commerce of Tyre, the critics and antiquaries have found much em
immoveable foundations, unalienable treas-ployment: but a few brief hints must suffice in
ures, and joys increasing and eternal, and which no enemies can destroy. (Note, Is . 33: 20-22.) All else is "vanity and vexation:" they, who now terrify others by their power, may soon astonish them by their fall: those, who have now the most established prosperity, will soon be as dead men, out of sight and forgotten: and the wicked will not only go down into the grave, but into the bottomless pit of is certain, that they carried it to greater per
this place. The whole is suited to give us the most enlarged idea of the wealth, luxury, and extensive commerce of this renowned city: and to render the prediction of its ruin, and its accomplishment, the more affecting and instructive. The Tyrians, or Phenicians, (for Tyre was the principal city of Phenicia,) were accounted the inventors of navigation; and it destruction. But the glory of God, the preser- fection than any other of the ancients. We vation and prosperity of his church, and the are here informed, that the planks for their everlasting salvation of his people, will be pro- || shipping, or the decks of their ships, were of fir
10 They of Persia, and 9 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.
12 Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men, and vessels of brass in thy
market.
В. С. 588.
of thine hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony.
16 Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and #agate.
17 Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants; they traded in thy marhoney, and oil, & and balm. ket wheat of Minnith and Pannag, and
multitude of the wares of thy making, for 18 Damascus was thy merchant in the the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
fro, occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cas19 Dan also and Javan, || going to and sia, and calamus, were in thy market.
14 They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses, and horse-cious clothes for chariots.
20 Dedan was thy merchant in " pre
men, and mules.
15 The men of chants: many isles
p 38:5. Dan. 5:23.
q 30:5. Gen. 10:6,13,22. 1 Chr. 1:8,11,17. Is. 66:19. Jer. 46:9. Nah. 3:9.
r11. Cant. 4:4. s 8.
13,4
u 38:13. Gen. 10:4. 1 Kings 10:22. 22:48. Tharshish. 2 Chr. 20:36,37. Ps. 72:10. Is. 2.16. 23:6,10,14. 60:9. Jer. 10:
Dedan were thy mer- dar, they ** occupied with thee in lambs,
m Arabia, and all the princes of Ke
were the merchandise
c Rev. 18:12. d Gen. 10:22.
Aram. 28:5.
Judg. 10:6. 2 Sam. 8:5. 10:6. 15:8. Is. 7:2.
↑ Heb. thy works.
Heb. chrysoprase.
e Deut. 8:8. 32:14. 1 Kings 5: 9,11. 2 Chr. 2:10,15. Ezra 3:7. Acts 12:20.
f Judg. 11:33,
g Gen. 43:11. Jer. 8:22.
Or, rosin.
h Gen. 15:2. 1 Kings 11:24,25. Is. 7:8. Acts 9:2.
far, and of a great price. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . i, k.)-They had mariners from Zidon, the mother-city, and from Arvad an island in Phenicia; who did the laborious work on board their ships: whilst the Tyrians, being very skilful in navigation, acted only as pilots, or occupied the more honorable departments. The inhabitants of Gebal, a promontory in Phenicia, having been long skilful and experienced in closing the joinings of the ships to prevent leaks, or in stopping them when made, were retained for this service: whilst ships and mariners, from all nations, came to Tyre to purchase their merchandise, and to dispose of their own for it. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . 1
brought from Shenir, or mount Hermon: their masts were made of the cedars of Lebanon; their oars (for oars as well as sails were used by the ancients in most, if not all ships,, were of "the oaks of Bashan:" so that the land of Israel supplied the Tyrians with timber for ships, though the Israelites built but few themselves. (Marg, and Marg . Ref . e-g.)-The Tyrians were also furnished with benches of ivory, orinlaid with ivory, by the ivory, by the company of the Ashurites.
As ivory was brought out of the interior parts of Asia; and as Chittim signifies the countries adjacent to the Mediterranean sea; it is probable, either that some Europeans imported the ivory, and sold the benches, when made, to the Tyrians, or that artificers came to Tyre to manufac--0.) ture them. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . h.)-But it does not appear how the Assyrians could be said to make these benches; and the clause is rendered by some, of box - wood inlaid with ivory . )'בַת־אֲשֶׁרִים pro רַתְּאַשׁוּרִים ' Robertson .) -The fine linen of Egypt, (which was renowned throughout the world,) and richly embroidered too, was used by the Tyrians for their "sails:" or rather for their flags , or colors, as the original may be more properly rendered: and it can scarcely be conceived, that their sails were generally formed of such rich materials; though this extravagance might occa sionally be used in an ostentatious display of wealth and magnificence.
Their tents and canopies upon the decks of their galleys, were formed of cloth of blue and purple from the isles of the Egean sea, or the Grecian colonies on the coast of Asia Minor. Purple was called the Tyrian color: yet the Tyrians contented with their own manufactures, but were not lux iriously used that which was brought from
chiefly employed in navigation and commerce, V.10, 11. The Tyrians were themselves and in enjoying their affluence: but it was requisite that they should have forces ready to oppose hostile assailants. They had therefore Lybia; whose martial appearance and armor army men, from Persia, Lydia, and added to the comeliness of the city.
The island of Arvad furnished them with soldiers to guard their walls, as well as with mariners: (8) and the Gammadims, who perhaps inhabited some part of Phenicia, garrisoned their towers: and their glittering shields, being hung upon the walls, made them have a still more magnificent appearance. The Lydians in Asia seem to have descended from Shem: but Ludim is placed among the sons of Mizraim, the son of Ham: and as Lud and Phut are elsewhere named together, it is probable, that some tribe in Africa is meant; perhaps the 13,22.) -The conjectures of learned men about Abyssinians. ( Marg .
Ref . Ref.3 30:5. marg. Gen. 10: the Gammadims are altogether unsatisfactory.
and rams, and goats; in these were they thy || the midst of thee, d shall fall into the || midst
merchants.
22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah they were thy merchants; they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.
239 Haran; and Canneh, and $ Eden, the merchants of Sheba, "Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.
24 These were thy merchants in * all sorts of things , in blue + clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.
25 The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very y glorious in the midst of the seas. [Practical Observations.]
26 Thy rowers have brought thee into a great waters: b the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.
27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war that are in thee, and in all thy company, which is in
p Gen. 10:7. 1 Kings 10:1-13. 1 Chr. 1:9. 2 Chr. 9:1,&c. Ps. 72:10,15. Is. 60:6.
q Gen. 11:31,32, 12:4. 2 Kings 19:12. Is. 37:12. Acts 7:4. Charran.
r Gen. 10:10. Calneh. Is. 10:9.
Calno. Am. 6:2. Calneh.
8 Gen. 2:8. Am. 1:5.
t Gen. 25:3. Job 1:15.
u 32:22. Gen. 10:22. Num. 24:
22. Ps. 83:8. Assur . Is. 7:18,20.
* Or, excellent things. Heb. foldings .
x Ps. 48:7. Is. 2:16. 23:14.
V. 12-25. We have here a particular account of the nations or cities that traded with Tyre, and the commodities which they brought to her markets. Thus Tarshish, or Tartessus in Spain, (as it is supposed,) exchanged various metals (which were either the produce of that country, or fetched from others,) for the rich luxuries of the eastern world. It is probable, that the tin was brought from Britain, (out of Cornwall,) which was first known to the ancients, as yielding great quantities of that metal. ( Marg . Ref . u.- Notes , 1 Kings 10:22.
Is . 2:10-18, v . 16.)-The different parts of Greece, or the regions about the Euxine and Caspian seas, sold slaves, and vessels of brass, to the Tyrians. Togarmah, or Phrygia, Cappadocia, and other regions in Asia Minor, supplied them with horses and mules, and with servantsskilful in managing them. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . x-a.) The inhabitants of Dedan, supposed to be in Arabia, traded with them; and many isles or countries of Europe, traded with the Tyrians for the goods, which they brought them; especially "horns of ivory," or rather, horns , ivory, and ebony, i. e. the horns of some curious animals, ivory which is the teeth of elephants, and ebony, a very hard and valuable wood. These they brought for a present to the Tyrians, or rather as the price of the goods which they purchased.
"Many isles bought the merchandise of thy hand, &c." (15) The Syrians bought the manufactures, which the Tyrians made in abundance, and
of the seas, in the day of thy ruin.
28 The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.
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.
Jer. 6:26. 25:34. Mic. 1:10. k 7:18. Lev. 21:5. Deut. 14: 1. Is. 15:2. 22:12. Jer. 16:6. 47:5. 48:37. Am. 8:10. Mic. 1:16.
1 Is. 16:9. 22:4. Mic. 1:8. m 2. 26:17.
n Lam. 1:12. 2:13. Rev. 18:18. ο 26. 26:4,5.
p 3,12,&c. Is. 23:3-8. Rev. 18:3,12-15,19.
no precious stones or metals to exchange, though it was "the glory of all lands;" but it supplied them with what was more valuable, namely abundance of good wheat, honey, oil, and balm used in medicine. It is uncertain whether Pannag be the name of a place, or of some valued production of Canaan. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . e-h.- Note , Acts 12:20-23, v . 20.) Damascus changed the wine of Helbon, and white wool, which were both in great re- pute, for the useful manufactures of Tyre.- The inhabitants of Dan and Javan, (probably not the city Dan in the coasts of Israel, nor any part of Greece as before, but cities in the east, brought polished iron, or steel, with rich spices to Tyre, to exchange for the commodi- ties of the western world: as another Dedan (probably in Idumea,) did rich cloths to orna- ment or line their chariots.
Some districts of Arabia supplied Tyre with cattle; others with spices, gold, and precious stones. The inhab- itants of Mesopotamia, Media, and the ad- jacent regions, traded with T Tyre, bringing chests of all kinds of rich apparel. In short, all the ships, which sailed on the sea, and which were generally called "the ships of Tarshish," celebrated the praises of Tyre: that city was replenished with all kinds of riches, and made glorious with all earthly decorations and magnificence. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . i-y.)-Upon a review of these hints concerning the commerce of Tyre, it is plain that that city traded with every
paid for them with precious stones and oth- part of the then known world, either imer articles of luxury. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . mediately, or through the medium of other b-d.) The land of Judah and Israel had || nations.
V. 26-36. Tyre is here poetically described, as a ship at sea, and wrecked, through the mistakes and mismanagement of her pilots and rowers. (Notes, Is. 33:20-24.) When the rulers of Tyre provoked Nebuchadnezzar to make war upon them, and when they pertinaciously resolved to withstand that haughty conqueror, they rowed this gallant ship into perilous waters; and when the city was taken, it was "broken by the east wind in the midst of the seas." The same was the case, in the time of Alexander the great, and in those subsequent disasters, which terminated in the total ruin of Tyre. Thus the inhabitants and riches of Tyre, like the crew and cargo of a broken ship, sunk into the midst of the seas. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . z -d.- Note , Ps . 48:7.) The cry of the leading ling men of Tyre, e, when they saw that the city city must mu be taken, (like that
our situation at the entrance of the seas, which renders our land as convenient a centre of modern, as Tyre was of ancient commerce: and we possess singular advantages, as an island, for excluding foreign invaders, as well as for a friendly intercourse with all the nations of the earth.
At the same time we should by no means forget the wisdom and goodness of the Creator, in so dispensing his liberality, that each country has its valuable productions, which it can spare to other nations: and it would be happy for mankind, if the mutual destruction of wars was more generally exchanged for the reciprocal advantages of commerce, till all nations were united in one common bond of amity and mutual utility.
It is also worthy our notice, how many things of small value in themselves, are by manufactures and commerce rendered the means of honest industry and subsistence to hundreds of thousands. Yet commerce, beneficial as it is, has its peculiar dangers and evils. Alas! that modern commerce, and even that of this favored land, should have occasioned, perhaps, the shed shedding of more human blood, than the most destructive wars of sanguinary conquerors!
But we hope that God will ere long raise up to us a number of humane and philanthropic legislators, to terminate these hateful abuses; and to establish such regulations, as shall render our commerce conducive to the happiness of the most distant nations, as well as to that of our own: otherwise, whatever profane politicians may imagine, our prosperity will soon be broken, like a ship-wreck
of pilots, s, when they perceive that the ship must sink,) would be heard in the extreme parts of the city, or even on the adjacent continent. All the rowers and mariners of the ships, who had been accustomed to trade with Tyre, would come on shore to witness the fatal catastrophe, and would express their extreme sorrow by every significant token; and, with great astonishment and deep regret, contrast the former prosperity of Tyre, when kings and nations were enriched by her, with her present condition, now that she was utterly broken and ruined. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . c-t.- Notes , 26:16-18.) But, whilst most kings and nations would be astonished and troubled; some merchants would triumph and insult over her, (as she had done over Jerusa-ed vessel. It is obvious likewise, that com
lem,) expecting to be replenished, now she was laid waste. ( Note , 26:2.) The whole of this is so correspondent with the lamentation, made over the fall of the New Testament Babylon, or Rome, that we cannot but suppose there was something typical in the fall of Tyre. (Notes and P. O. Rev. 18 : 1-19.) - 'The vicis'situdes of time, or rather the barbarism of the 'Greeks of the lower empire, and the Moham'medans, have accomplished this prediction....
Instead of that ancient commerce, so active 'and so extensive; Sour,' (Tyre,) 'reduced to a 'miserable village, has no other trade, than the 'exportation of a few sacks of corn and raw 'cotton, nor any merchant but a single Greek 'factor, ... who scarcely makes sufficient profit 'to maintain his family. Volney . This extract is taken from the writings of one, who published the observations which he made on the spot; and who was very far indeed from favoring the cause of revelation. ( Marg . -Note , 26:21.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS..
merce tends to increase men's wants, and inordinate gratifications, and their pride, selfconfidence, and vain glory: as if it rendered cities and nations, "perfect in beauty," sufficient for their own prosperity, and independent on the providence of God. Too often men, eagerly pursuing riches, neglect justice, truth, and humanity; and deem every measure justifiable which proves lucrative, and every thing glorious that is prosperous. Yet more merchants and traders are just, generous, and benevolent, than are humble, pious, and devoted to God.
When riches increase, the possessors are apt to set their hearts upon them, and to forget the Lord, who alone "giveth them power to get wealth:" they prefer the wisdom of this world, to that which is from above: they study the ledger more than the bible: extending their trade is a far greater object in their view, than the propagation of the Gospel: religion is made subservient to worldly interest; and the maxims of the counting-house are employed, in bartering for church-livings, and in managing designs, professedly intended for pious and charitable purposes.
The beauty of holiness, and the peculiar privileges of the children of God, have no splendor in their eyes, compared with large estates, fair houses elegantly furnished, and all the indulgence of pride and luxury, and of that avarice by which they are supported. And thus the religion, morals, and maxims of nations are corrupted and debauched; the sinews of their strength [553