King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:19 in the King James Version says “Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market. going: ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 27:19 · KJV

Context

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

20

Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots. precious: Heb. clothes of freedom

21

Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants. they occupied: Heb. they were the merchants of thy hand

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs—The Hebrew me'uzal (מְאוּזָל) means "from Uzal," likely modern Sana'a in Yemen, indicating South Arabian trade routes. Bright iron, cassia, and calamus (בַּרְזֶל עָשׁוֹת קִדָּה וְקָנֶה, barzel ashot qiddah veqaneh) represents luxury trade goods: wrought iron (possibly Damascus steel), cassia bark (a cinnamon-like spice used in holy anointing oil, Exodus 30:24), and calamus (sweet cane, an aromatic reed). This verse climaxes the trade catalog spanning 27:12-24, showing Tyre's reach from the Mediterranean to Arabia and East Africa.

The geographic scope—from Tarshish (Spain) to Sheba (Arabia)—demonstrates the ancient world's interconnected economy centered on Phoenician maritime commerce. Tyre's fall (prophesied in 27:26-36) would collapse this entire network, illustrating how pride and self-sufficiency lead to divine judgment regardless of economic power.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written during Ezekiel's Babylonian exile (593-571 BC), this lament over Tyre was prophetic—Nebuchadnezzar would besiege Tyre for 13 years (585-572 BC), and Alexander the Great would destroy it completely in 332 BC. Tyre (modern Sur, Lebanon) was the dominant commercial power of the eastern Mediterranean, controlling trade routes between three continents. Archaeological finds confirm Tyrian trade with locations mentioned in this chapter.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the extent of Tyre's trade network reveal both human ingenuity and the danger of trusting in economic power rather than God?
  2. What "luxury goods" in your life might distract you from spiritual priorities, just as Tyre's wealth blinded them to their need for God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְדָ֤ן1 of 11

“Dan”

H2051

vedan (or aden), a place in arabia

וְיָוָן֙2 of 11

“also and Javan”

H3120

javan, the name of a son of joktan, and of the race (ionians, i.e., greeks) descended from him, with their territory; also of a place in arabia

מְאוּזָּ֔ל3 of 11

“going to and fro”

H235

to go away, hence, to disappear

בְּעִזְבוֹנַ֖יִךְ4 of 11

“in thy fairs”

H5801

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

נָתָ֑נּוּ5 of 11

“occupied”

H5414

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

בַּרְזֶ֤ל6 of 11

“iron”

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

עָשׁוֹת֙7 of 11

“bright”

H6219

shining, i.e., polished

קִדָּ֣ה8 of 11

“cassia”

H6916

cassia bark (as in shrivelled rolls)

וְקָנֶ֔ה9 of 11

“and calamus”

H7070

a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)

בְּמַעֲרָבֵ֖ךְ10 of 11

“were in thy market”

H4627

traffic; by implication, mercantile goods

הָיָֽה׃11 of 11
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

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 27:19 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 27:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 30:23-24Psalms 45:8Judges 18:29Song of Solomon 4:13-14

Places in This Verse

DanSettlement · Modern: Tel Dan · 33.25°N, 35.65°E25 verses across 12 books
UzalSettlement · Modern: Sanaa · 15.36°N, 44.21°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Ezekiel 27 →

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