King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:16 in the King James Version says “Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. the wares: Heb. thy works agate: or, chrysoprase”

Ezekiel 27:16 · KJV

Context

14

They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.

15

The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony.

16

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. the wares: Heb. thy works agate: or, chrysoprase

17

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. balm: or, rosin

18

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.

Read Ezekiel 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making (מֵרֹב מַעֲשָׂיִךְ, merov ma'asayikh)—Aram (Syria) purchased Tyre's manufactured goods (ma'asayikh, "your works/productions"), showing Tyre wasn't merely a trading hub but a production center. They occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate (בְּנֹפֶךְ אַרְגָּמָן וְרִקְמָה וּבוּץ וְרָאמֹת וְכַדְכֹּד, benofekh argaman veriqmah uvuts vera'mot vekhadkod)—six luxury textiles and gems: nofekh (emerald/turquoise), argaman (purple dye from murex snails), riqmah (embroidered cloth), buts (fine linen), ra'mot (coral), khadkod (ruby/agate). Purple dye was Phoenicia's signature export—the name "Phoenicia" derives from Greek phoinix ("purple").

This catalog of luxuries reveals the supply chain of vanity. Yet God clothes the lilies more gloriously (Matthew 6:28-29), and values the "fine linen" of saints' righteous deeds (Revelation 19:8) over Tyrian embroidery. Commercial empires traffic in external adornment; God's kingdom treasures internal transformation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Syria (Aram) was Israel and Phoenicia's northeastern neighbor, with Damascus as its commercial capital (see v. 18). The Phoenician purple dye industry was legendary—murex snails were harvested, crushed, and processed to create the expensive purple/crimson dyes that colored royal and priestly garments. Archaeological excavations at Phoenician sites reveal massive murex shell deposits from dye production. Embroidered cloth, fine linen from Egypt, and semi-precious stones formed the luxury textile trade that enriched Phoenician cities. By 586 BC, Tyre controlled much of this high-end production and distribution.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does obsession with external adornment (luxury goods, status symbols) distract from cultivating the "fine linen" of righteousness?
  2. What does Tyre's manufacturing empire teach about the seduction of producing/consuming for human glory rather than God's?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אֲרָ֥ם1 of 12

“Syria”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

סֹחַרְתֵּ֖ךְ2 of 12

“was thy merchant”

H5503

to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate

מֵרֹ֣ב3 of 12

“by reason of the multitude”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

מַעֲשָׂ֑יִךְ4 of 12

“of the wares of thy making”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

בְּ֠נֹפֶךְ5 of 12

“with emeralds”

H5306

shining; a gem, probably the garnet

אַרְגָּמָ֨ן6 of 12

“purple”

H713

purple (the color or the dyed stuff)

וְרִקְמָ֤ה7 of 12

“and broidered work”

H7553

variegation of color; specifically, embroidery

וּבוּץ֙8 of 12

“and fine linen”

H948

probably cotton (of some sort)

וְרָאמֹ֣ת9 of 12

“and coral”

H7215

something high in value, i.e., perhaps coral

וְכַדְכֹּ֔ד10 of 12

“and agate”

H3539

a sparkling gem, probably the ruby

נָתְנ֖וּ11 of 12

“they occupied”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּעִזְבוֹנָֽיִךְ׃12 of 12

“in thy fairs”

H5801

trade, i.e., the place (mart) or the payment (revenue)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 27:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 27:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 10:6Ezekiel 28:13Isaiah 7:1-82 Samuel 10:62 Samuel 15:8Genesis 28:5

Places in This Verse

Syria 1Region · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E89 verses across 10 books
View all places in Ezekiel 27 →

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