Глава 27

Ezek.27:1–3. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: And you, son of man, take up lamentation against Sor, and speak to Sor, which is inhabited by the sea entrance, a market place of people from many islands, What has been said makes it possible to see the abundance of God’s love for mankind and God’s goodness; This word also teaches us, when you impose any punishment on those who sin, to do this not with any hostility or enmity, but with compassion and extreme condolences. For God Himself, judging lawfully and fairly, commands the Prophet to cry over the punished city, expressing the disposition with which he punished. This says Adonai Lord Sora: You said: I myself placed my kindness on me, Ezek.27:1–3. into the hearts of Veelim, By this God denounces the ingratitude and pride of Tyre. For, having received from God the means for splendor, he became ungrateful to the Giver of blessings, and the abundance of blessings that turned out to him, as he attributed to his own wisdom and strength, so he attributed to Veelim; and “Veelim” is what the divine Scripture calls idols. Therefore, the wickedness was severe, for not only did he not know the Giver of blessings, but he even dared to appropriate their gift to those who are completely powerless and are not able to clothe themselves with sensual laziness. Then God describes how many and what gifts Tire enjoyed, and how many people brought him the means of abundance. Your sons will bestow kindness upon you. Ezek.27:5–6. The cedar from Sanir was cut down for you, thin cypress boards from Lebanon were taken, so that you could make the 19 Elova: from Basanitis you made your oars, These mountains grow various trees on them. Therefore, God lists what was brought to Tire from everywhere, and says: having cut down the masts, you transported them from Lebanon, and the oars from Basanitis, and what was needed for the construction of houses from Sanir. To this he adds: Your sanctuaries are built from ivory, your houses are made of wood from the islands of Hettiim. Instead of this: “your sanctuary,” other interpreters used the expression: your raina 20, in connection with what was said above, because after the mast and oars comes the raina. If this is said about idols, then there is nothing incredible. For it is said: you have built idols of elephants and houses of wood, that is, covered with planks. This is how Akila translated it. Showing the value of trees, it means the place of their origin. For, he says, you bring them from the islands of “Hettiim,” and he calls the Hellenic islands Hettiim. For through the mouth of Jeremiah God says: “Come to the islands of Hettim, and see, and send them to Kidar, and consider diligently, if such a thing was created: if the nations change their gods, they are not gods” (Jer. 2:10, 11). And just as the word “Kidar” means the peoples living to the east, so the word “Hettim” means the peoples living to the west. On the island of Cyprus there is a town called Kittion, which is still so-called, and this name, due to the nature of the Hebrew language, is pronounced with a thick aspiration, shows its affinity with the word “Hettiim”. Cyprus at that time owned the islands. Therefore God calls the Hellenic islands Hettiim. From these islands, he says, they brought expensive trees to you. To this he adds: Ezek.27:7. Fine linen with speckling from Egypt shall be your bed, and clothe you with glory, and clothe you, and blue and purple from the isles of Elisha shall be your clothing, that is, Egypt brought you blankets of all kinds speckled with them. By this he means carpets and everything else exported from there. Hellas sent you all kinds of clothes, scarlet and dyed blue. For he calls Hellas "Elisha". Ezek.27:8. And thy princes that dwell in Sidon, and Aradian, were thy joys: In the Hebrew and Syriac lists it is not read “your princes,” but your neighbors. But in order to understand the translation of the seventy, let us take it this way: in ancient times, your princes the Sidonians, now with those inhabiting Arad, fill your seafaring hordes, setting your ships in motion; and those who are knowledgeable serve as helmsmen for you. For it is said: your wisdom, Sora, who was in you, these are your helmsmen. . Ezek.27:9. The elders of Vivliystia, and their wisdom that was in you, I will strengthen your advice: They did not serve as reinforcements for their city, but they gave you excellent suggestions and advice. and all the ships of the sea and their oars traded with you in your trade, and they were in you to the west of the west, that is, merchants flocked from everywhere and sold some things and bought others. For this is meant by the words: “barter in your trade.” And not only those close to you were brought into the pier, but also those living on the extreme limits of the west. For this means what is said: “to the west of the west,” that is, not only those who live west of you, but also those who are west of them. Ezek.27:10. The Persians, and the Lidians, and the Libyans, being in your strength, men of valor hung your shields and helmets in you, giving your glory. Ezek.27:11. Sons of Aradiistia, and your strength is on your visors all around: but the Medes also were guards in your pirges, their vests were worn on your shoulders around: these have completed your kindness. Having told about the variety of trees, about the staining of clothes, about swimmers and helmsmen, about advisers indicating what to do, and merchants coming from everywhere, he goes through the military list, compiled from different peoples and knowledgeable in public affairs, Persians, Lidians, Libyans, Aradians and Medes. He says what type of weapons were, quivers, shields and helmets, meaning a small shield, which was used by lightly armed warriors, and with which military dances were performed. Ezek.27:12. The Carchidonians are your merchants, from the abundance of all your strength, silver, and gold, and copper, and iron, and pure tin, and lead, I will buy yours. Carhidon (and this is the capital of ancient Libya, now called Africa), the Syriac translation and the Hebrew original are called Tarshish. By referring to the capital city, the Prophet refers to the trade in substances that are mined from each nation and brought there. Ezek.27:13. All Hellas, and to it that which extends, I will sell the souls of men in thee: and I will buy thy vessels of copper, that is, slaves and copper vessels were brought to you from Hellas and the countries adjacent to it. Ezek.27:14. From the house of Forgam, horses and cavalry and vengeance, Dasha, I will buy yours, that is, Phrygia sent you horses, riders, and mules, for this is how the words are translated: “the house of the Forgams.” Ezek.27:15. Sons of Rhodes, your merchants, from the islands I will multiply and buy yours, the horns and teeth of elephants, Symmachus translated the word “horns” as ebony, from which the things made were called heben. This, says God, was brought to you by the Rhodians, crossing the sea, and thereby satisfied your needs. and thou didst reward those brought in with thy rewards. Ezek.27:16. Man, I will buy yours from the multitude of your mixture, Taking all this, says God, you gave slaves in return to those who brought you, having many immigrants with you. For these who came from other nations, and wished to live with the Tyrians, he called “mixers” Stakti and scarlet and variegated and blue from Tarshish, and Raamoth, and Hof dasha I will buy yours. In addition to what has been said, you have already received from Carchidon not only other benefits that adorned you with clothes and clothed you in various attire, but also oils that gave you great fragrance. For the word “stacti” refers to the so-called balm, the word “Hof” refers to the powder from the rose leaf, and the word “Raamoth” refers to other aromas. Ezek.27:17. Judah and the sons of Israel, these are your merchants: by selling wheat, and myrrh, and cassia, and first honey, and oil, and rythin, giving to your mixed ones, that is, Jewish goods were brought to you in such abundance that both the natives and guests who lived with you, and immigrants from you took advantage of the imported goods, some using them for food, and others to enjoy themselves with incense. Ezek.27:18. Damascus merchants are thy in the multitude of thy works from the multitude of all thy might, that is, Damascus bought what was born from you. Therefore, you also traded with him, selling what you had in excess and collecting gold from there. The thick wine from Helbon, and the sparkling wave from Militus, and the wine of Dedanovo and Jonanovo, and Meoselevo, I will buy your dasha. “Ionan” refers to Ionia, “Dedan” refers to the Edomite city, and “Helbon” was a certain village adjacent to it. From everywhere, says God, good things were brought to you: sweet and fragrant wine from this people, and the best wool from Miletus. This city formerly belonged to Ionia, and now belongs to Caria. Symmachus translated the word “Helbon”: Halvan. Ezek.27:19. Iron is made from Assiel, and the wheels in your mixtures are. Ezek.27:20. Dedan your merchants from the cattle chosen into chariots. Ezek.27:21. Arabia and all the princes of Kidarstia, these merchants by your hand, the camels, and the rams, and the lambs, make purchases in their image, that is, some bring you dressed iron, some mules and horses for chariots, some camels, rams and lambs, some to carry your loads, others for food, others for clothing. “Kidar” calls the descendants of Izmail, and “Dedan” the Edomite city, as has already been said about this. For we found in Jeremiah, in Ezekiel himself, in a vision of Idumea, that Teman is united with Denan. Others recognized Asia as “Assiel”, since there are the best skilled craftsmen in iron crafts, and iron vessels are prepared very well. Ezek.27:22. Merchants of Sava and Ramma, these merchants are yours with the first sweets, and precious stones, and gold, I will buy you Dasha. Sheba and Ramma are descended from Hus, and Hus is the firstborn of Ham. Therefore these are the peoples of Ethiopia and India. The Prophet shows what was brought from there, namely: expensive stones, gold, sweets. Ezek.27:23. Haran and Halan and Dedan, these are your merchants: Harran is Carr, and Halan is Halan, where the pillar was built, we have spoken about Dedan more than once. Sheba, Assur, and Harman, your merchants, Ezek.27:24–25. bringing the purchase to Mahalim and Galima blue, and speckled, and the chosen treasures, folded in magoses, bound with snakes in cypress ships, in those is your purchase. The Indian people call it Savoy, for this name is found in the genealogy of Shem, Assur is the Assyrian, and Harman is the so-called Karmanna. And this in Mahalim and Galima “blue and speckled, and chosen treasures”, folded in magoz, Akila translated as follows: “skillfully prepared blankets of blue and motley and folded in magoz.” This: “in Magoz” was taken into the Hellenic language from Hebrew, and means: in vessels of a secret device. Having thus understood this, the Syrian interpreter translated: “They brought to you clothes of great value and many colors; according to their value, they covered what was hidden and what was placed in excellently constructed courts and bound with snakes.” The ships of the Carchidonstia are in thy purchase, in multitude, You also used the ships of the Carchidonians for trade, having a countless quantity of not only your own, but also idle goods. And you were filled, and made the hearts of the seas very heavy. Ezek.27:26–27. In the waters I will bring you your joyful joys; the south wind will crush you in your heart with a sea. You jumped out of satiety and, enjoying the benefits, did not recognize the benefactor. God blamed Israel for this too. For it is said: “And Jacob was satisfied, and his beloved was rejected” (Deut. 32:15). Since you have not gained any benefit from prosperity, I will teach you to be more chaste through disasters. For it is said: “The south wind will crush you in your heart with a blast.” Allegorically he called the king of Valelonia that way. As the south wind usually raises great waves and a strong storm, heavy for those who swim; so in a figurative sense, as he speaks of a seaside city, he calls the invasion of enemies the south wind. Then, in order not to dwell on the same thing for a long time, he says: you, and your migrants, and the sailors, and the helmsmen, and the advisers, and the merchants, and those filling the military list will suffer final destruction. For he meant this by saying: “They will fall into your hearts like a mortar.” He adds: during the siege and capture of the city, your pilots living far away will fall into great fear and take flight. The swimmers and those steering the stern will do the same and, leaving the boats, weeping and groaning, will go out onto land; They will sprinkle dust on their head and bow it to the very ground, wiping away the dust of the earth with their brow; they will strip their heads of their splendor of hair and, having clothed themselves in sackcloth, will not cease to weep and lament. Then he retells their very cry. Ezek.27:32. Who is like Tire, silent in the midst of the sea? That is, you spent all this time in silence and peace, no one dared to disturb your peace. Did you get colic from the sea? This is enough to teach every person not to think highly of himself during apparent prosperity because of the change that follows. This is what God says to Tire: what have you gained for so long from your extensive trade, despite all the fact that “from your intercession” and from the confusion “thou hast made all the kings of the earth rich” (Ezek. 27:33)! Ezek.27:34. Now you are crushed in the sea, in the depths of your waters, and all your company fell among you, and all your joyful joys. Ezek.27:35. Those who live in the islands are sad for you, and their kings are horrified, and they shed tears at their faces. Ezek.27:36. Merchants will scream out loud about you, you were destroyed and you will never be again. Look, says God, your labors in trade and the flow of all nations to you have not brought you any benefit. Like a sunken boat, he became covered with the adversity of disasters and, like some waves, took upon himself the stormy aspirations of the enemy ranks. Why will all the islanders and coastal inhabitants with their kings weep for you, seeing that the city, very famous in ancient times, was suddenly destroyed and, surprised at your transformation and extreme desolation, they will express their amazement by screaming. What was said: “and who will never live” will be understood by the interpretation we have already made. If another explanation must be added to what has been said, then we do not refuse this either, for we hear that the God of all speaks through the mouth of the Prophet Jeremiah: “Finally I will speak to the tongue and to the kingdom, that I will uproot them, and destroy them, and waste them. And if that tongue turns from its evils, then they will repent of the evils they have thought to create for them, and finally I will pour a river on the tongue and the kingdom, that I may build and plant. And if the evil one does something evil before Me, and does not listen to My voice, then I will repent of the good things that I have done to them” (Jer. 18:7-10). So, the Lord pronounces judgment and cancels His sentences, and the truth does not lie, because it pronounces judgment on those who do not resort to repentance; For those who have accepted the medicine of repentance, the sentence of punishment remains ineffective. This is what happened to the Ninevites. God determined their final destruction, saying: “In yet three days, and Nineveh will be transformed” (Jon. 3:4), but he accepted those who repented and canceled the sentence. Therefore, here too, the change in morals among the descendants meant that the condemnation to ever-present punishment was abolished. The crossbar on the mast to which the sails are tied.