Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 27:1-25
Here, I. The prophet is ordered to take up a lamentation for Tyrus, Eze 27:2. It was yet in the height of its prosperity, and there appeared not the least symptom of its decay; yet the prophet must lament it, because its prosperity is its snare, is the cause of its pride and security, which will make its fall the more grievous. Even those that live at ease are to be lamented if they be not preparing for trouble. He must lament it because its ruin is hastening on apace; it is sure, it is near; and though the prophet foretel it, and justify God in it, yet he must lament it. Note, We ought to mourn for the miseries of other nations, as well as for our own, out of an affection for mankind in gen…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 27:9
Gebal--a Phœnician city and region between Beirut and Tripoils, famed for skilled workmen (Kg1 5:18, Margin; Psa 83:7).
calkers--stoppers of chinks in a vessel: carrying on the metaphor as to Tyre.
occupy thy merchandise--that is, to exchange merchandise with thee.
Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 27:9
The ancients of Gebal - This was a city of Phoenicia, near Mount Libanus, Jos 13:5. It was called Biblos by the Greeks.
Thy calkers - Those who repaired their vessels; paying, as it is termed, pitched hemp into the seams, to prevent the water from oozing through.
To occupy thy merchandise - That is, to be thy agents or factors.
John Gill on Ezekiel 27:9
The ancients of Gebal,.... A promontory of the Phoenicians, the same with the Gabale of Pliny (n), and with the land of the Giblites, Joshua 13:5. It was by the Greeks called Byblus; and so the Septuagint here render the words, the elders of Bybli or Byblus, a place once famous for the birth and temple of Adonis; it is now called Gibyle. Mr. Maundrell (o) says it is pleasantly situated by the seaside, and that at present it contains but a little extent of ground, yet more than enough for the small number of its inhabitants; it is compassed with a dry ditch, and a wall with square towers in it, at about every forty yards' distance; on its south side it has an old castle; within it is a church…
