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.

EZEKIEL 27:17KJV
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Ezekiel 27:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:17 mean?

Ezekiel 27:17 lists Judah and the land of Israel as trading partners of Tyre, supplying goods like wheat from Minnith, Pannag, honey, oil, and balm to Tyre’s marketplace. The verse highlights the economic connections between Tyre and Israel’s regions, showing the variety and value of products Israel contributed to international trade.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking a message from God to the city of Tyre, describing Tyre’s vast trading network and the many nations involved. This verse is part of a longer passage where Tyre is pictured as a merchant ship, and each nation’s trade goods are named to show Tyre’s wealth and influence. By including Judah and Israel, Ezekiel shows that even God’s own people were part of Tyre’s commercial world.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:17

  • The word "merchants" (רֹכְלַיִךְ, rokhelayikh) refers to traders or dealers, emphasizing that Judah and Israel were not just casual sellers but established business partners in Tyre’s marketplace.
  • "Market" (מִזְוָנֵךְ, mizvanekh) means a place of trade or exchange, underlining the organized, bustling commercial activity in Tyre.
  • "Wheat of Minnith" (חִטֵּי מִנִּית, chittei Minnith) points to a specific, high-quality wheat from a region known for its produce, suggesting that Tyre sought out the best goods from its partners.
  • "Pannag" (פַּנַּג, pannag) is a rare word; its exact meaning is uncertain, but it is often thought to be a valuable foodstuff or spice, highlighting the exotic and desirable nature of the trade items.

Why Ezekiel 27:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel and Judah were not isolated but actively engaged in international trade, supplying valuable agricultural products to a major port city.
  • By naming specific goods, Ezekiel emphasizes the richness and diversity of Israel’s land, as well as Tyre’s dependence on its neighbors for luxury and staple items.
  • The verse fits into Ezekiel’s larger message about Tyre’s pride and eventual downfall, showing that even the most prosperous trading empire relies on the contributions of many nations, including God’s people.

Where else these words appear

“Minnith” Hebrew H4511 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 11:33 And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

“balm” Hebrew H6875 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 37:25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
  • Genesis 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
  • Jeremiah 46:11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.

“market” Hebrew H4627 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:9 The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.
  • Ezekiel 27:19 Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.
  • Ezekiel 27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.

“merchants” Hebrew H7402 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
  • Song of Solomon 3:6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
  • Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.