Then all the princes of the sea will step down from their thrones …: The princes of the sea were the rulers of the islands and countries that traded on the Mediterranean Sea and controlled the trade routes along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. Good News Translation says “the kings of the seafaring nations,” and New Century Version has “the leaders of the seacoast.” When these leaders hear about the downfall of Tyre, they will step down from their thrones because their thrones were chairs that were set up on platforms, sometimes with steps leading up to them. For embroidered garments, see the comments on 16.10. New International Reader’s Version says “beautiful clothes,” and New Century Version has “beautiful needlework clothes.” These robes and embroidered garments were signs of their status as kings and rulers. The two terms may be combined in a functional expression, such as “beautiful outer garments that kings wore.”
After the rulers take off their beautiful royal clothes, they will clothe themselves with trembling. This figurative expression describes them as very afraid. It is acceptable to use nonfigurative language here; for example, Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version say simply “trembling.” But translators may also use a simile here, such as “Just like putting on different clothes, they will begin trembling [in fear].” The form of the Hebrew word rendered trembling is slightly unusual, but it may simply be a form of intensification, that is, to show great, intense trembling. With the continued stress on fear in the next sentence, this depicts the very great fear that these rulers will feel when they hear of Tyre’s fall. But another interpretation is possible. Instead of trembling, the term may be related to a rare Hebrew word meaning “ragged/torn clothes” (compare Anchor Bible “tatters” and Revised English Bible “loincloths”). This clause then refers to the rulers humbling themselves by putting on mourning clothes (which is usually sackcloth). This interpretation makes very good sense and, by contrasting with the beautiful clothes, fits the context perfectly. Either interpretation is acceptable. If translators choose the latter interpretation, they may say “They will put on torn clothes for mourning.”
They will sit upon the ground: This was the usual position for someone in great fear or distress.
And tremble every moment: International Children’s Bible renders this clause well with “They will shake with fear all the time.” Good News Translation has “they will not be able to stop trembling,” and Revised English Bible says “shuddering incessantly.”
And be appalled at you means the rulers will be “shocked” (Contemporary English Version, New International Reader’s Version, New Century Version) at what happened to Tyre. For the Hebrew verb rendered appalled, see the comments on 3.15, where it is translated “overwhelmed.” New Jerusalem Bible says “stunned,” and New American Bible has “horrified.”
Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .