Ezekiel 27 16

Ezekiel 27:16 kjv

Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.

Ezekiel 27:16 nkjv

Syria was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made. They gave you for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidery, fine linen, corals, and rubies.

Ezekiel 27:16 niv

"?'Aram did business with you because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple fabric, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies for your merchandise.

Ezekiel 27:16 esv

Syria did business with you because of your abundant goods; they exchanged for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and ruby.

Ezekiel 27:16 nlt

"Syria sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods. They traded turquoise, purple dyes, embroidery, fine linen, and jewelry of coral and rubies.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 16 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:16 meticulously details the lucrative trade relationship between Tyre and Aram (Syria), highlighting Tyre's extensive commercial reach. Aram, representing the Syrian kingdoms, engaged in significant commerce with Tyre, specifically bringing in highly valuable and luxurious commodities—such as precious gemstones like carbuncles (often identified as emeralds or garnets), expensive purple dyes, finely embroidered textiles, opulent fine linen, decorative coral, and treasured rubies (or agates). These goods were exchanged for Tyre's vast and diverse merchandise, showcasing Tyre's status as a powerful global trading hub overflowing with products. The verse illustrates the opulence that characterized Tyre's economy and its widespread network of trade partners.

Ezekiel 27 16 Context

Ezekiel 27 is part of a series of prophecies (chapters 26-28) directed against Tyre, a dominant Phoenician city-state known for its naval power, wealth, and extensive trade. This specific chapter is crafted as a mournful lament, or funeral dirge, for Tyre. The prophet personifies Tyre as a magnificent merchant ship, meticulously describing its construction from the finest materials, its vast global trade network, its diverse crew, and ultimately, its dramatic shipwreck and downfall. Verse 16 fits into this broader picture by detailing one specific, yet highly significant, commercial partnership—that with Aram. This verse, along with others in the chapter, aims to illustrate the extraordinary reach and opulence of Tyre's commercial empire, building up to the vivid contrast of its prophesied utter destruction. Historically, Ezekiel delivered these prophecies during the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE). Tyre’s vast wealth and intricate alliances, including those with inland regions like Aram (Syria), underscored its status as a major player in the ancient Near East, making its prophesied ruin a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty over all nations, even the most prosperous.

Ezekiel 27 16 Word analysis

• Aram (אֲרָם, ’ărām): This refers to the ancient region of Syria and its inhabitants, situated north and northeast of Israel. Key city-states like Damascus were integral to land-based trade, acting as crucial intermediaries for goods moving between the Mediterranean coast and areas to the east, such as Mesopotamia and the Arabian Peninsula. Its inclusion signifies the broad geographic extent of Tyre's influence beyond the sea.

• traded (סָחַר, sāḥar): The Hebrew verb conveys the idea of engaging in organized commerce, implying active and intentional business dealings, travelling for the purpose of trade, and a sophisticated system of exchange, rather than simple bartering.

• with you (אִתָּךְ, ’ittāḵ): Directly states the commercial partnership between Aram and Tyre.

• because of your many goods (מֵרֹב מַעֲשֶׂיךָ, mērov maʿaśeyḵā): Literally "because of the abundance of your works" or "your multitudinous products/merchandise." This phrase emphasizes that Tyre's attractiveness as a trade partner stemmed from its overwhelming quantity and variety of available merchandise, making it a central global market.

• they exchanged (נָתְנוּ, nāṯnū): This verb, literally "they gave," is used in a commercial context to mean "they supplied" or "they offered in exchange," indicating the reciprocal nature of the trade agreement.

• for your wares (בְּעִזְבּוֹנָיִךְ, bəʿizbônayik): Refers specifically to Tyre's commodities, goods, or merchandise destined for trade. The term denotes items intended for sale or exchange.

• emeralds (נֹפֶךְ, nōp̄eḵ): Often translated as "carbuncle" or "garnet" in scholarly texts. While the exact gem is debated, it denotes a highly valued precious stone, typically red or fiery-colored, used for adornment or sacred objects. This stone was likely imported through Aramean routes from distant sources.

• purple (אַרְגָּמָן, ’argāmān): The famous Tyrian purple dye or the fabric dyed with it. This was one of the most expensive and highly prized dyes in the ancient world, reserved for royalty, priests, and the extremely wealthy, signifying power and luxury. Aram providing it to Tyre indicates their access to this valuable commodity or variations of it.

• embroidered cloth (רִקְמָה, riqmāh): High-quality, elaborately patterned textiles, often featuring intricate designs. These were luxury goods, testament to skilled artistry, suitable for prestigious garments or decorative hangings.

• fine linen (בּוּץ, būṣ): Luxurious, pure white linen, frequently imported from Egypt (where high-quality byssus linen was produced). It was a symbol of wealth, purity, and high status, used for priestly vestments and the attire of the elite.

• coral (רָאמֹות, rā’ămôṯ): A precious organic material from the sea, valued for its beauty and rarity, typically sourced from the Red Sea or Indian Ocean and traded via overland routes. It adds to the exotic and diverse nature of goods.

• rubies (כַּדְכֹּד, kaḏkōd): Often translated as "agate" or "carnelian" by scholars. Regardless of the precise identification, it indicates another valuable and beautiful precious stone, further emphasizing the opulence involved in the trade.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Aram traded with you because of your many goods": This segment highlights the commercial relationship and its underlying economic driver. Tyre's extensive production and array of merchandise were the magnetic force that drew trade partners like Aram, positioning Tyre as a vibrant, essential marketplace.
  • "they exchanged for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral, and rubies": This detailed inventory underscores the reciprocal value in the trade. The specific listing of exotic and costly luxury items illustrates the immense wealth and prestige of the goods Aram brought, signifying the high demand for, and corresponding high value of, Tyre's offerings. It portrays a world rich in natural and crafted treasures exchanged for commercial supremacy.

Ezekiel 27 16 Bonus section

• The Global Marketplace: The specific list of goods in Eze 27:16, alongside the extended lists throughout the chapter, functions as a historical snapshot of the ancient world's commodity exchanges, revealing what was valued, where it might have originated, and the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate regions through trade routes.
• Luxury as a Spiritual Hazard: The continuous emphasis on luxury goods, immense wealth, and extensive commerce throughout Ezekiel's lament for Tyre serves as a symbolic warning. While wealth itself is not inherently evil, Tyre's downfall (as described in Eze 28) is inextricably linked to the pride and self-sufficiency fostered by its riches, transforming its commercial success into a spiritual hazard.
• Historical Echoes: The detailed lament for Tyre's trading prowess finds an echo in Revelation 18, which describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," a city synonymous with vast wealth and international trade, demonstrating a recurring biblical theme of judgment upon proud, self-sufficient mercantile powers.

Ezekiel 27 16 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:16 serves as a key detail within the grand lament over Tyre, illuminating its vast and interconnected trading empire. By specifying Aram's contribution of exquisite commodities—from rare gemstones and regal purple fabrics to intricately woven textiles—the prophet emphasizes the sheer opulence that flowed into and out of Tyre. This verse paints a vivid picture of Tyre as a vibrant nexus of luxury trade, able to command the most sought-after goods from various regions due to its own abundant merchandise. Such detailed enumeration of wealth contributes to the theological message: it elevates Tyre's perceived invincibility and splendor, making its subsequent prophesied destruction all the more dramatic and illustrative of divine judgment against human pride and reliance on earthly riches.