Ezekiel 27:14 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:14 mean?

Ezekiel 27:14 describes how people from the house of Togarmah traded with the city of Tyre, bringing horses, horsemen, and mules as their goods. This verse highlights the variety and value of merchandise that different nations brought to Tyre’s bustling marketplace.

In this chapter, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking a lament over Tyre, a wealthy port city known for its extensive trade. He lists the many nations that did business with Tyre, showing the city’s importance as a commercial hub. The mention of Togarmah, likely a region in eastern Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), and their trade in valuable animals, adds to the picture of Tyre’s wide-reaching economic connections.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:14

• תּוֹגַרְמָה (Togarmah, "toh-gar-mah"): This name refers to a people or region, often identified with an area in eastern Anatolia. Their mention here points to Tyre’s trade links far to the north and east.
• סוּסִים (susim, "horses") and פָּרָשִׁים (parashim, "horsemen"): These words show that Togarmah’s trade was not just in animals but also in skilled riders, which were highly valued for war and prestige.
• פְּרָדִים (peradim, "mules"): Mules were prized for their strength and endurance, making them important trade goods for transport and agriculture.

Why Ezekiel 27:14 matters

• This verse helps readers see the scale and diversity of Tyre’s trading network, which included distant regions and valuable goods, not just common items.
• By naming specific goods and traders, Ezekiel emphasizes Tyre’s wealth and the international nature of its economy, setting up the sense of loss in the lament.
• The detail about horses, horsemen, and mules shows the practical and military value of what Tyre received, not just luxury items, highlighting how trade supported both daily life and defense.