Ezekiel 27 18

Ezekiel 27:18 kjv

Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.

Ezekiel 27:18 nkjv

Damascus was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made, because of your many luxury items, with the wine of Helbon and with white wool.

Ezekiel 27:18 niv

"?'Damascus did business with you because of your many products and great wealth of goods. They offered wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar

Ezekiel 27:18 esv

Damascus did business with you for your abundant goods, because of your great wealth of every kind; wine of Helbon and wool of Sahar

Ezekiel 27:18 nlt

"Damascus sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods, bringing wine from Helbon and white wool from Zahar.

Ezekiel 27 verses

Ezekiel 27 18 Meaning

Ezekiel 27:18 details Damascus' significant role in Tyre's vast commercial network. It highlights that Damascus served as a merchant to Tyre, providing luxury goods—specifically, the famed wine of Helbon and fine white wool. This exchange occurred "for the multitude of the wares of thy making" and "for the multitude of all riches," indicating a high volume of trade where Damascus either traded for Tyre's manufactured goods or contributed significantly to Tyre's immense wealth, solidifying Tyre's status as a dominant trade hub. The verse illustrates the grandeur and specialized nature of Tyre's international commerce before its prophesied downfall.

Ezekiel 27 18 Context

Ezekiel chapter 27 is a powerful prophetic lament, or funeral dirge, for the city of Tyre. Personified as a magnificent ship constructed from various fine materials and sailed by numerous nations, Tyre is depicted as the ultimate maritime commercial power of the ancient world. Each verse meticulously details its sophisticated network of trade, identifying specific nations, their contributions, and the luxury goods they exchanged with Tyre. Verse 18 is a precise component within this comprehensive catalogue, pinpointing Damascus as a vital trading partner contributing premium commodities. The broader context of chapters 26-28 prophesies Tyre's destruction due to its excessive pride, hubris, and perceived invincibility, showcasing how even its vast commercial might cannot prevent divine judgment. This lament not only catalogues Tyre's splendor but ultimately highlights its vulnerability and eventual ruin.

Ezekiel 27 18 Word analysis

• Damascus (דַּמֶּשֶׂק - Dammeseq): An ancient and influential Aramaean city, serving as a powerful kingdom and crucial trade center located northeast of Israel. Its mention here signifies its geopolitical and economic importance as a significant trading partner, part of Tyre's expansive commercial reach.
• was thy merchant (סֹחַרְתֵּךְ - sochatech): From the root `סָחַר` (sachar), meaning "to trade" or "to go about as a merchant." The feminine suffix `תֵּךְ` (-tech) refers to Tyre (the city personified). This phrase establishes Damascus' role as an active participant in Tyre's commerce, either acquiring goods from Tyre for distribution or acting as an intermediary in Tyre's larger trade network. It underlines Tyre's central role as a mercantile hub.
• with the multitude of the wares of thy making (בְּרוֹב מַעֲשַׂיִךְ - berov ma'asayich):
  • בְּרוֹב (berov): "With the abundance of" or "for the multitude of." `רֹב` (rov) denotes great quantity or plenty.
  • מַעֲשַׂיִךְ (ma'asayich): "Your works" or "your handiwork/products." From `מַעֲשֶׂה` (ma'aseh), meaning work, deed, product, or craftsmanship. This suggests Damascus's extensive trade involved acquiring or exchanging for Tyre's manufactured goods and specialized craftsmanship, indicating the high demand and quality of Tyrean products.
• for the multitude of all riches (לְרֹב כָּל-הוֹן - lerov kol-hon):
  • לְרֹב (lerov): "For the abundance of" or "in great quantity of." Reinforces the vast scale.
  • כָּל (kol): "All" or "every kind of." Emphasizes comprehensiveness.
  • הוֹן (hon): "Wealth," "riches," or "property." This indicates the enormous amount of financial value and varied goods involved in the commercial transactions, solidifying Tyre's status as a center of immense wealth.
• with the wine of Helbon (בְּיֵין חֶלְבֹּון - b'yeyn Helbon):
  • יֵין (yeyn): "Wine of." `יַיִן` (yayin) is a staple and often luxury beverage.
  • חֶלְבֹּון (Helbon): A renowned locality (likely modern Halbūn near Damascus), celebrated for producing superior quality wine in the ancient Near East. This specific mention emphasizes the premium nature and geographical origin of the luxury goods traded with Tyre.
• and white wool (וְצֶמֶר לָבָן - v'tsemer lavan):
  • צֶמֶר (tsemer): "Wool." A highly valued raw material for textile production.
  • לָבָן (lavan): "White." Specifies high quality, indicating that it was likely fine, undyed wool suitable for luxurious garments or specialized uses. The whiteness itself signified its pure quality before any potential dyeing.

• "Damascus was thy merchant": This phrase encapsulates Damascus's economic subservience or active participation in Tyre's broader mercantile empire, underscoring Tyre's preeminence as the commercial epicenter.
• "multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches": This grouping highlights the intense commercial activity and the immense wealth that accrued to Tyre, both from its own esteemed products and the sheer volume of high-value goods flowing through its trade network.
• "wine of Helbon, and white wool": These specific, high-quality commodities serve as concrete examples of the luxury goods and specialized resources that Tyre commanded from its diverse trade partners, illustrating the sophistication and value of its commerce.

Ezekiel 27 18 Bonus section

The mention of Helbon wine is historically significant, as ancient records, including Assyrian texts, corroborate the fame of this particular vintage. It highlights the granular level of economic detail in Ezekiel's prophecy, confirming its grounding in real-world commercial practices of the time. The choice of such specific luxury items in the lament emphasizes that Tyre’s commerce wasn't just about bulk goods but also high-end commodities that attracted significant wealth and status. This passage serves not only as a divine pronouncement but also as a window into the complex and interwoven economic geography of the ancient Near East, with Tyre at its bustling center. The prophecy's attention to these minute details strengthens its credibility and dramatic impact within the larger allegory of Tyre's downfall.

Ezekiel 27 18 Commentary

Ezekiel 27:18 is a focused testament to Tyre's elaborate commercial might, detailing a key trading relationship with Damascus. The verse identifies Damascus as a primary source of high-value goods, particularly the esteemed wine from Helbon and superior white wool, exchanged in immense quantities against Tyre's own abundant manufactured goods or for its extensive wealth. This meticulous listing is part of Ezekiel's broader, poetic lament portraying Tyre as a majestic merchant ship destined for catastrophic shipwreck. The specificity of the commodities underscores the global reach and economic specialization that fueled Tyre's prosperity and, ultimately, its pride, which eventually led to divine judgment. It emphasizes that no matter the richness or quantity of a nation's resources, material wealth alone cannot prevent spiritual downfall when it leads to hubris and forgetfulness of the divine.