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Ezekiel 27:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 27:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of thy handiworks: they traded for thy wares with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and rubies.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of thy handiworks: they traded for thy wares with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and rubies.
Ezekiel 27:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy traffickers; they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass for thy merchandise.
14They of the house of Togarmah traded for thy wares with horses and war-horses and mules.
15The men of Dedan were thy traffickers; many isles were the mart of thy hand: they brought thee in exchange horns of ivory and ebony.
16Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of thy handiworks: they traded for thy wares with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and rubies.
17Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy traffickers: they traded for thy merchandise wheat of Minnith, and pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
18Damascus was thy merchant for the multitude of thy handiworks, by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches, with the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
19Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise.
← Ezekiel 27:15Ezekiel 27:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making, &c.] Which they took off of their hands, and for them brought the following things: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds; precious stones of a green colour: Jarchi renders it “carbuncles”, other precious stones of a different colour; and so the word is translated by Pagninus, Montanus, Grotius, the French, and Diodate; sometimes called “carchedonies”, and which the Apostle John calls the “chalcedony”, (<662119>Revelation 21:19), the same with rubies; and so the word here used is rendered by Luther; and, by Abarbinel, precious stones of great value; (see <200315>Proverbs 3:15), from whence the Syrians had these…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“"Syria was thy mart for the multitude," &c. For "Syria" the Septuagint reads "Edom." But the Syrians were famed as merchants. occupied--old English for "traded"; so in Luk 19:13. agate--Others translate, "ruby," "chalcedony," or "pearls."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The thread broken at Ezekiel 27:8 is taken up, and the various nations are enumerated which traded with Tyre. Ezekiel 27:12 Tarshish - Tartessus in Spain (marginal references). Spain was rich in the metals named. Merchant - Especially applied to those who traveled about with caravans to carry on trade (see Genesis 23:16). Fairs - Or, “wares” Ezekiel 27:33. The word occurs only in this chapter. The foreign merchants gave their wares in return for the products delivered to them by Tyre. Ezekiel 27:13 Jaran - Greece (Ion), including the Grecian colonies in Sicily and Italy. Tubal, and Meshech - The Tibareni and Moschi, whose lands were on the Caucasian highlands between the Euxine and Caspian…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The multitude - The abundance of the Tyrian manufactures. Ezekiel 27:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Syria: Gen 10:22, Aram, Gen 28:5; Jdg 10:6; Sa2 8:5, Sa2 10:6, Sa2 15:8; Isa 7:2 the wares of thy making: Heb. thy works agate: or, chrysoprase. Ezekiel 27:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification