What does Ezekiel 27:6 mean?
"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

The Bible verse Ezekiel 27:6 from the King James Version (KJV) reads: "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."
In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is delivering a message from God to the people of Tyre, a wealthy and prosperous port city in ancient Phoenicia. The verse describes the luxurious and grandeur of Tyre's ships, which were crafted using the finest materials from the region.
The "oaks of Bashan" referred to in the verse were known for their strength and size. They were considered to be the best wood for making oars, highlighting the quality and craftsmanship of the ships. The "Ashurites" were skilled artisans known for their expertise in carving ivory, which was used to make the benches in the ships. The "isles of Chittim" were known for their abundance of ivory, further emphasizing the opulence of the ships.
In this verse, Ezekiel uses the imagery of these luxurious ships to convey a deeper message about the pride and arrogance of the people of Tyre. The city's wealth and prosperity had led to a sense of self-sufficiency and a lack of reliance on God. The use of extravagant materials and skilled craftsmanship in the construction of the ships may have symbolized the people's reliance on their own resources and abilities, rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty and provision.
The verse also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of materialism and worldly success. The people of Tyre had become complacent in their wealth and had forgotten the source of their blessings. This message is echoed throughout the Bible, with numerous warnings against the pursuit of riches and the worship of material possessions over spiritual values.
Furthermore, the verse could also be seen as a commentary on the importance of humility and gratitude. Instead of recognizing the blessings as gifts from God, the people of Tyre had become proud and boastful in their achievements. Their reliance on their own abilities and resources had led to a sense of entitlement, distancing them from a humble and grateful heart.
This verse can also be seen as a reminder of the transitory nature of worldly wealth and possessions. Despite the grandeur of the ships and the opulence of their materials, they were ultimately vulnerable to the ravages of time and the uncertainties of life. This message aligns with the broader biblical theme of the impermanence of earthly treasures and the ultimate importance of spiritual riches.
In summary, Ezekiel 27:6 from the King James Version (KJV) serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of pride and materialism, as well as the importance of humility, gratitude, and reliance on God. The imagery of the luxurious ships crafted from the finest materials symbolizes the pitfalls of relying on worldly success and possessions, rather than recognizing and honoring God's sovereignty and provision. It stands as a timeless warning to prioritize spiritual values over material wealth and to remain humble and grateful in the face of prosperity.
Have questions about Ezekiel 27:6?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Ezekiel 27:6 Artwork
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."
"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
Ezekiel 27:20 - "Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots."
Ezekiel 27:28 - "The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots."
Ezekiel 27:1 - "The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 27:2 - "Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;"
Ezekiel 27:14 - "They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules."
luke 6: 27
Job 27:6
Ezekiel 27:4 - "Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty."
Ezekiel 27:23 - "Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants."
Ezekiel 48:27 - "And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion."
Ezekiel 14:6
Ezekiel 37:27 - "My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Luke 6: 27-38
Luke 6:27-38
Ezekiel 27:21 - "Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants."
Ezekiel 27:36 - "The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more."
Ezekiel 27:13 - "Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market."
Ezekiel 27:35 - "All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance."
Numbers 27:6 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Ezekiel 1:6-13
Ezekiel 40:27 - "And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits."
Ezekiel 27:26 - "¶ Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas."
Ezekiel 27:18 - "Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool."
Ezekiel 21:27 - "I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him."
Proverbs 27:6 - "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
"Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots." - Ezekiel 27:20
Ezekiel 27:25 - "The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas."
Ezekiel 27:19 - "Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market."