Ezekiel 27 17

Ezekiel 27:17 kjv

Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.

Ezekiel 27:17 nkjv

Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, millet, honey, oil, and balm.

Ezekiel 27:17 niv

"?'Judah and Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith and confections, honey, olive oil and balm for your wares.

Ezekiel 27:17 esv

Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, meal, honey, oil, and balm.

Ezekiel 27:17 nlt

Judah and Israel traded for your wares, offering wheat from Minnith, figs, honey, olive oil, and balm.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 17 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:17 describes Judah and the land of Israel as key trading partners of Tyre, providing essential agricultural products and valuable medicinal items. This verse highlights the economic interdependency between the formidable maritime trading empire of Tyre and its inland neighbors. The trade specifically included wheat, a unique product called "pannag," honey, olive oil, and balm, illustrating the richness of Israel's produce and its significance in Tyre's vast commercial network.

Ezekiel 27 17 Context

Ezekiel chapter 27 is a prophetic lamentation and funeral song for the mighty city of Tyre, a major maritime commercial power of the ancient world. The chapter uses the imagery of a magnificent ship, depicting Tyre's glory, beauty, and vast network of trade with numerous nations. Verse 17 specifically details the valuable commodities supplied by Judah and the land of Israel, emphasizing the interdependence of the bustling Phoenician port with its agricultural hinterland. This section (Ezekiel 26-28) functions within Ezekiel's broader prophetic message, pronouncing God's judgment on foreign nations, demonstrating His universal sovereignty, and illustrating how earthly pride, particularly from commercial success and perceived invincibility, ultimately leads to downfall. Historically, Tyre had extensive trading relationships, including treaties with Israel (e.g., King Solomon and Hiram of Tyre), for timber, food, and various goods.

Ezekiel 27 17 Word analysis

• Judah (יהודה, Yehudah): The Southern Kingdom of Israel, identified with the tribal territory and its capital Jerusalem. The name signifies "praise." In this context, it refers to the inhabitants and their territory providing goods.

• and the land of Israel (וְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, wə’ereṣ Yiśrā’ēl): This likely refers to the territory of the former Northern Kingdom, also known as Israel or Ephraim, which, even after its conquest by Assyria (722 BCE), continued to be an identifiable geographical region, rich in agricultural produce. The phrase denotes the broader Palestinian interior.

• were thy merchants (סֹחֲרָיִךְ, soḥăráyik): The Hebrew word implies "traders" or "dealers." This indicates that Judah and Israel were active participants in commerce with Tyre, bringing their goods to Tyre's market rather than just passively having their resources exploited.

• they traded (עָר֗וּ, ‘ārû): Derived from a root meaning "to traffic" or "to exchange wares." It emphasizes the commercial transaction aspect, a reciprocal engagement in commerce.

• in thy market (מַעֲרָבָ֑יִךְ, ma‘ărābáyik): This term is often translated as "wares," "merchandise," or "market place." It refers to the commodities offered for exchange in Tyre, highlighting Tyre's central role as a commercial hub where various goods converged.

• wheat (חִטֵּי, ḥiṭṭê): A staple grain, fundamental for sustenance. Its presence signifies the fertile agricultural capacity of Israel and Judah, necessary for feeding the dense, non-agricultural population of Tyre.

• of Minnith (מִנִּית, Minniṯ): A specific, high-quality variety or origin of wheat. Minnith was a town in Ammonite territory (Judges 11:33), located east of the Jordan, renowned for its excellent grain, indicating the wide-reaching reputation of particular agricultural products from the region.

• and pannag (וּפַנָּג, ûpannaḡ): A term that remains somewhat obscure and highly debated among scholars. It appears only once in the Bible. Suggestions include:

  • A type of delicacy, perhaps a confectionery or pastry made from refined flour.
  • A rare spice or aromatic plant.
  • A specific agricultural product, possibly a legume or fig paste.
  • A Hebrew transliteration of a foreign word for some high-value trade good. Its inclusion underscores the exotic or specialized nature of some of Tyre's trade goods.

• and honey (וּדְבַשׁ, ûḏəḇaš): Both wild honey (from bees) and date honey (a sweet syrup made from dates) were significant agricultural products in ancient Israel. Highly prized for its sweetness, it was a valuable trade item and a source of natural sugars.

• and oil (וָשֶׁמֶן, wāšemen): Primarily olive oil. A multi-purpose staple used for food, anointing, illumination (lamps), and in cosmetics and medicine. Its abundance indicated agricultural prosperity in the Mediterranean climate of Israel.

• and balm (וָצֹֽרִי, wāṣōrî): A highly valued resin or aromatic gum, famous as a medicinal unguent from the balsam tree, particularly associated with Gilead (Jer 8:22, Gen 37:25). Known for its healing properties, it was a costly and sought-after commodity in ancient trade.

• "Judah, and the land of Israel, were thy merchants": This phrase highlights the active role of these regions not merely as conquered territories supplying tribute but as trading partners. They brought specific goods to Tyre, showing an economic relationship rather than forced subjugation in this specific commercial context.

• "they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm": This clause provides the specific list of highly valued agricultural and natural resources that made the regions of Judah and Israel attractive trading partners for Tyre. The specificity underscores the intimate knowledge of the prophet concerning Tyre's vast commercial operations.

Ezekiel 27 17 Bonus section

The detailed inventory of trade items in Ezekiel 27, including verse 17, suggests that Ezekiel had a sophisticated understanding of contemporary geo-economic realities. His prophecy is not vague but grounded in specific, verifiable details of Tyre's immense trading empire. The enumeration of products from Judah and Israel indicates their substantial economic contribution to the region, linking the land of God's covenant people to the global commercial networks of the time, even if those networks were ultimately judged by God. This attention to detail elevates the lament from a general curse to a precise, informed condemnation that speaks directly to the source of Tyre's pride and eventual fall.

Ezekiel 27 17 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:17, set within a grand lament for Tyre, pinpoints Judah and Israel as key providers of staple goods and luxuries for the bustling Phoenician city. The mention of "wheat of Minnith" signifies high-quality grain, crucial for feeding a non-agrarian city-state like Tyre, and highlights the region's productive capacity. The enigmatic "pannag," alongside the universally valued "honey," "oil" (olive oil), and the costly medicinal "balm" (especially from Gilead), underscores the diversity and richness of Israel's natural resources. This economic relationship, though mutually beneficial on the surface, implicitly shows Tyre's dependence on others for its survival and prosperity, a subtle undermining of its ultimate self-sufficiency, which later prophecies in Ezekiel 28 attribute to its downfall. The verse serves as a historical snapshot of ancient Near Eastern commerce, connecting agricultural heartlands with maritime trade empires.