King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:17 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:17 in the King James Version says “Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and hone...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 27:17 · KJV

Context

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.

19

Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market. going: or, Meuzal

Read Ezekiel 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse appears in Ezekiel's extended lament over Tyre (Ezekiel 27:1-36), cataloging the city's vast trading network. The Hebrew pannag (פַּנַּג) is a rare word appearing only here, possibly referring to confections, millet cakes, or early figs. Minnith was a region in Ammon known for superior wheat (Judges 11:33).

The listed commodities—wheat, pannag, honey, oil, and balm—represent Israel and Judah's agricultural wealth. These products required fertile land, careful cultivation, and processing—gifts of God to His covenant people in the Promised Land. Israel's trading relationship with Tyre ironically shows God's people providing sustenance to a proud, commercial empire that trusted in wealth and maritime power rather than the LORD.

This verse's placement in a judgment oracle against Tyre carries theological significance. Tyre's pride in commercial success (Ezekiel 28:2-5) led to its downfall. Israel's participation in Tyre's trading network reveals entanglement with worldly economic systems and values. The fact that covenant blessings (agricultural abundance from the Promised Land) were being traded for profit in a pagan commercial empire illustrates Israel's spiritual compromise and misplaced priorities.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre was the dominant maritime commercial power of the ancient Near East from approximately 1000-586 BC. Located on the Phoenician coast, Tyre controlled trade routes throughout the Mediterranean, establishing colonies as far as Spain (Tarshish). Archaeological excavations at Tyre and historical records from Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon confirm the city's extraordinary wealth and commercial influence.

Israel's trade relationship with Tyre dated to Solomon's era, when Hiram king of Tyre provided materials and craftsmen for the Temple (1 Kings 5:1-12). This alliance, while economically beneficial, introduced Phoenician religious influences that plagued Israel for generations. Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, was a Tyrian princess whose worship of Baal nearly destroyed true worship of Yahweh in Israel (1 Kings 16:31-33).

The specific products mentioned—wheat from Minnith (in modern Jordan), honey, oil, and balm—were staples of Israel's agricultural economy. Balm of Gilead was particularly prized for medicinal purposes and was exported to Egypt (Genesis 37:25). Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre (chapters 26-28) was fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city for 13 years (585-572 BC), followed by Alexander the Great's complete destruction of the city in 332 BC. Tyre's fall demonstrated that no amount of commercial power or wealth can withstand God's judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we, like Israel, sometimes use God's blessings primarily for economic gain rather than His glory and kingdom purposes?
  2. What does this verse teach about the danger of entangling alliances with worldly systems that operate on values contrary to God's?
  3. In what ways does participation in commercial and economic systems potentially compromise our spiritual priorities?
  4. How should we evaluate our trading relationships and business partnerships in light of the spiritual implications revealed here?
  5. What does Tyre's judgment teach us about the temporary nature of economic power and the permanence of God's kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
יְהוּדָה֙1 of 13

“Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְאֶ֣רֶץ2 of 13

“and the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל3 of 13

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הֵ֖מָּה4 of 13
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

רֹכְלָ֑יִךְ5 of 13

“they were thy merchants”

H7402

to travel for trading

בְּחִטֵּ֣י6 of 13

“wheat”

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

מִ֠נִּית7 of 13

“of Minnith”

H4511

minnith, a place east of the jordan

וּפַנַּ֨ג8 of 13

“and Pannag”

H6436

probably pastry

וּדְבַ֤שׁ9 of 13

“and honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

וָשֶׁ֙מֶן֙10 of 13

“and oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

וָצֹ֔רִי11 of 13

“and balm”

H6875

distillation, i.e., balsam

נָתְנ֖וּ12 of 13

“they traded”

H5414

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

מַעֲרָבֵֽךְ׃13 of 13

“in thy market”

H4627

traffic; by implication, mercantile goods

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 27:17 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 27:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 11:331 Kings 5:9Ezra 3:7Genesis 43:11Deuteronomy 32:14Jeremiah 8:22

Places in This Verse

MinnithSettlement · Modern: Umm el Hanafish · 31.82°N, 35.87°E2 verses across 2 books
View all places in Ezekiel 27 →

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