Definition: 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 the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezekiel 27:27. It’s a really powerful and somewhat unsettling image, and it speaks to a future time of great hardship for those who are wealthy and powerful. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very grim scenario – a catastrophic event that will destroy everything a person has accumulated through their wealth and power. It's essentially saying, “Your material possessions, your control over trade and people, everything you’ve built, will be lost when the time comes.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Thy riches…” : This refers to a lot of money – gold, jewels, property, etc. “…and thy fairs…” : “Fairs” in this context means trade and commerce - buying and selling goods. “…thy merchandise…” : This is the products they sell – textiles, food, tools, whatever they’re trading. “…thy mariners...” : This refers to sailors and fishermen who operate ships. "...and thy pilots..." : These are the people who navigate ships. "...calkers...” : Calkers were responsible for keeping ships in good condition – repairing damage, ensuring they could sail safely. "...and the occupiers of thy merchandise…” : This is a crucial part. It means anyone who controls or has a stake in what this person owns will be involved. This includes soldiers, tax collectors, and even those who are simply exploiting the wealth. "...and all thy men of war...” : This refers to the military forces that control territory. "...in thee, and in all thy company which [is] in the midst of thee..." : The key phrase here is “which [is] in thee.” It means everyone who's with them - their soldiers, sailors, traders, administrators – everything connected to this person. "...and in all thy company which [is] in the midst of thee, and in all thy…” : This repeats the "which" phrase, emphasizing that everything is affected. "...the seas in the day of thy ruin.” : This is where it gets really dramatic. “Ruin” means a complete collapse – a disaster, often involving destruction and loss. The verse says this will happen when the time comes, signifying an inevitable downfall. The "Day of Ruin" - What's Happening? The verse suggests that this future event is a consequence of their excessive wealth and power. It’s a warning about the dangers of accumulating too much, especially if it leads to exploitation, injustice, or being vulnerable to those who seek to take what they have. It points to a time when their control over things will be lost, potentially leading to widespread hardship. Important Note: Ezekiel 27:27 is often interpreted as a prophecy of the destruction of powerful empires and kingdoms in ancient times. However, it's also seen as a cautionary tale about the importance of humility, justice, and responsible stewardship of wealth and power. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its potential symbolism? Compare it to another biblical passage?