12 Tarshish 'is' thy merchant, Because of the abundance of all wealth, For silver, iron, tin, and lead, They have given out thy remnants. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech—they 'are' thy merchants, For persons of men, and vessels of brass, They have given out thy merchandise. 14 They of the house of Togarmah, 'For' horses, and riding steeds, and mules, They have given out thy remnants. 15 Sons of Dedan 'are' thy merchants, Many isles 'are' the mart of thy hand, Horns of ivory and ebony they sent back thy reward. 16 Aram 'is' thy merchant, Because of the abundance of thy works, For emerald, purple, and embroidery, And fine linen, and coral, and agate, They have given out thy remnants. 17 Judah and the land of Israel—they 'are' thy merchants, For wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, And honey, and oil, and balm, They have given out thy merchandise. 18 Damascus 'is' thy merchant, For the abundance of thy works, Because of the abundance of all wealth, For wine of Helbon, and white wool. 19 Vedan and Javan go about with thy remnants, They have given shining iron, cassia, and cane, In thy merchandise it hath been. 20 Dedan 'is' thy merchant, For clothes of freedom for riding. 21 Arabia, and all princes of Kedar, They 'are' the traders of thy hand, For lambs, and rams, and he-goats, In these thy merchants. 22 Merchants of Sheba and Raamah—they 'are' thy merchants, For the chief of all spices, And for every precious stone, and gold, They have given out thy remnants. 23 Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, merchants of Sheba, Asshur—Chilmad—'are' thy merchants, 24 They 'are' thy merchants for perfect things, For wrappings of blue, and embroidery, And for treasuries of rich apparel, With cords bound and girded, for thy merchandise, 25 Ships of Tarshish 'are' thy double walls of thy merchandise, And thou art filled and honoured greatly, In the heart of the seas.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 27:12-25
Commentary on Ezekiel 27:1-25
(Read Ezekiel 27:1-25)
Those who live at ease are to be lamented, if they are not prepared for trouble. Let none reckon themselves beautified, any further than they are sanctified. The account of the trade of Tyre intimates, that God's eye is upon men when employed in worldly business. Not only when at church, praying and hearing, but when in markets and fairs, buying and selling. In all our dealings we should keep a conscience void of offence. God, as the common Father of mankind, makes one country abound in one commodity, and another in another, serviceable to the necessity or to the comfort and ornament of human life. See what a blessing trade and merchandise are to mankind, when followed in the fear of God. Besides necessaries, an abundance of things are made valuable only by custom; yet God allows us to use them. But when riches increase, men are apt to set their hearts upon them, and forget the Lord, who gives power to get wealth.