Ezekiel 27:13 kjv
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.
Ezekiel 27:13 nkjv
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise.
Ezekiel 27:13 niv
"?'Greece, Tubal and Meshek did business with you; they traded human beings and articles of bronze for your wares.
Ezekiel 27:13 esv
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech traded with you; they exchanged human beings and vessels of bronze for your merchandise.
Ezekiel 27:13 nlt
Merchants from Greece, Tubal, and Meshech brought slaves and articles of bronze to trade with you.
Ezekiel 27 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 27:3 | "Say to Tyre, 'O you inhabitants of coastal settlements, you renowned traders, . . .' " | Establishes Tyre's prominence in trade. |
| Ezekiel 27:4 | "Your fortifications were in the heart of the seas; your builders made you magnificent." | Highlights Tyre's strong and grand structures. |
| Ezekiel 27:7 | "Fine linens with embroidered work from Egypt were your sailcloth; blue and purple from the Isles of Elishah were your covering." | Details exquisite textiles used by Tyre. |
| Isaiah 23:2 | "Be silent, you inhabitants of the coast; you merchants of Sidon, whom the sea has enriched." | Parallel description of coastal traders. |
| Revelation 18:12 | "merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silks and scarlet, every kind of citron wood and every kind of ivory vessel, and every kind of vessel of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble." | Echoes the luxurious goods traded. |
| Proverbs 31:14 | "She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar." | Comparison of diligence to merchants. |
| Acts 19:24 | "For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, was causing no small uproar among the workmen." | Shows the economic impact of crafts/trade. |
| John 19:19 | "Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.'" | Mentions purple in a significant context. |
Ezekiel 27 verses
Ezekiel 27 13 Meaning
This verse describes a major sea trade involving Dan and other coastal peoples who supplied valuable goods like blue textiles and ropes to Tyre. The wealth and luxury attributed to Tyre are highlighted by the diverse and high-quality merchandise it traded.
Ezekiel 27 13 Context
Ezekiel chapter 27 is a prophetic lament over the city of Tyre, a wealthy and powerful Phoenician port city renowned for its maritime trade. The chapter details the extent of Tyre's commercial reach and the sources of its prosperity, setting the stage for God's judgment against it. This particular verse focuses on the contribution of Dan and other traders to Tyre's extensive network and the quality of goods supplied. Historically, Tyre was a dominant force in ancient trade, with colonies and trade routes stretching across the Mediterranean.
Ezekiel 27 13 Word Analysis
- Dan (דָּ֚ן): (dan) - name of a tribe and city in Israel, historically associated with maritime activities, though some scholars debate if this refers to a seafaring component of the tribe or a settlement named Dan.
- And Javan (וְיָוָ֥ן): (ve-yavan) - "and Javan," referring to the Greeks, specifically Ionians, known for their seafaring and trade.
- Meshech (מֶשֶׁךְ): (meshekh) - traditionally identified as inhabitants of a region north of Assyria, possibly related to Moschi mentioned by Greek historians.
- Tubal (וְתּוּבָ֑ל): (ve-tubal) - associated with Meshech, often identified with regions in Asia Minor.
- They exchanged (מַחֲלִיפֵ֣י): (machalipei) - "exchanges," "interchanges," "replacements," referring to the trade or bartering of goods.
- Themselves for you (נַפְשָׁ֔ם): (naphsham) - "their lives," "their persons," implying they gave their own persons or labor in exchange for Tyre's goods or favor, or that their well-being was tied to the trade.
- And the persons of men (וְאַנְשֵׁ֥י): (ve-anshei) - "and the men," "the people," possibly indicating the provision of slaves or skilled labor as part of the trade.
- Were your traders (סְח֨וֹרָתֵ֤ךְ): (sechoratekh) - "your merchandise," "your trade," "your trafficked goods."
Word Group Analysis
- "Dan and Javan, from youth to old age, traded in your markets.": This phrase emphasizes the longevity and breadth of the trade relationships, with Dan and the Greeks (Javan) being consistent participants over generations, supplying Tyre with various goods. It speaks to Tyre's vast commercial influence.
- "They exchanged themselves for you.": This expression likely signifies that these trading partners, such as Dan and Javan, committed their resources, labor, and potentially their own security for the benefit of Tyre's trade, perhaps by investing in it or securing trade routes. It highlights a deep dependency and commitment.
Ezekiel 27 13 Bonus Section
The passage demonstrates the intricate web of ancient global trade, where distant peoples relied on established trading centers like Tyre. The verse’s mention of "persons of men" could also allude to the slave trade, which was a significant part of ancient economies and contributed to the wealth of port cities. This extensive trade network made Tyre a vibrant center but also, from a prophetic standpoint, a symbol of worldly riches and the dangers of material wealth leading to spiritual arrogance, which eventually draws divine retribution.
Ezekiel 27 13 Commentary
Ezekiel 27:13 underscores Tyre's global economic dominance by naming specific trading partners. The mention of "Dan" could refer to the tribe of Dan's association with seafaring in early Israelite history (Judges 5:17), suggesting their involvement in broader trade networks that supplied Tyre. The inclusion of "Javan" (Greeks) highlights Tyre's engagement with distant and sophisticated trading communities. The phrase "exchanged themselves for you" suggests a deep entanglement of these traders with Tyre's prosperity, possibly through providing skilled labor, raw materials, or even their own maritime efforts in exchange for Tyre's established trade power and finished goods. This verse paints a picture of Tyre as a cosmopolitan hub, dependent on and benefiting from a wide array of international commerce, which ultimately made it a target for divine judgment due to its pride and wealth.