Ezekiel 27:15 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:15 mean?

Ezekiel 27:15 describes how the people of Dedan traded with the city of Tyre, bringing valuable goods from distant islands, including horns of ivory and ebony as gifts or offerings. The verse highlights Tyre’s wide-reaching trade connections and the luxury items it received from across the seas.

In this chapter, God is speaking through Ezekiel to the city of Tyre, a powerful trading center on the coast. The verse lists Dedan—a group from Arabia—as one of Tyre’s trading partners, emphasizing the city’s influence and the exotic, high-value goods it attracted. This detail is part of a larger passage painting Tyre as a hub of international commerce and wealth.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:15

• "men" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word literally means "sons," but here it refers to the people or traders of Dedan, showing the personal involvement of Dedan’s people in Tyre’s trade.
• "isles" (אִיִּים, ’iyyim): This word often means coastlands or distant islands, suggesting that Tyre’s trade network reached far-off places, not just nearby nations.
• "present" (אֵתָן, ’êtan): This word means a gift or tribute, indicating that the goods brought—ivory and ebony—were not just ordinary trade items but special offerings, possibly to secure favor or maintain good relations.

Why Ezekiel 27:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that Tyre’s wealth came from a vast and diverse network, not just local trade, but connections reaching as far as distant islands and Arabia.
• By naming luxury items like ivory and ebony, the verse emphasizes the high status and desirability of Tyre’s goods, showing why so many nations wanted to trade with the city.
• The verse fits into Ezekiel’s larger message about Tyre’s pride and eventual downfall, highlighting how its prosperity was built on international relationships and rare treasures.