Ezekiel 27:6
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.
Ezekiel 27:6 (KJV)
Context
Ezekiel ministered to the exiles in Babylon during the sixth century BCE, delivering messages of judgement and restoration for Israel. In this chapter, he pronounces a lamentation against Tyre, a powerful maritime city in ancient Phoenicia. The verse uses poetic language to describe the grandeur of the city through the construction of its ships.
Meaning
Bashan was known for its majestic oak trees, valued for their strength and durability. By naming them as the source of Tyre’s oars, Ezekiel emphasises the quality of the city’s ships and its maritime power. The Ashurites, skilled craftsmen from Assyria, made the benches of ivory, a material associated with wealth and luxury. The ivory came from the isles of Chittim, often identified with Cyprus, showing Tyre’s extensive trade network and access to valuable resources from distant regions. The finest materials from many lands were brought together to build one vessel, reflecting the city’s wealth and the reach of its commerce. Every component of the ship, from the oars to the benches, displayed the city’s ability to draw on the best resources of the known world.
Biblical connections
The verse depicts Tyre’s prosperity and reliance on skilled craftsmanship. Yet the broader context of Ezekiel 27 is a message of judgement: the very splendour and resources that made Tyre great would be brought to ruin. This highlights the transient nature of worldly wealth and power.
Application
This passage reminds readers that human achievement, however impressive, stands under divine judgement. It calls for humility and dependence on God rather than confidence in material resources or human skill.
Reflection
Consider what “oars” and “benches” might represent in your own life—the strengths, resources, or relationships you rely on. Tyre’s finest materials could not save it; only what is built on God’s purposes endures.
