Ezekiel 27:16 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.

Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making - `Syria was thy mart for the multitude of wares' (not manufactured in Tyre, but) conveyed to Tyre for traffic. For Syria х 'Araam (H758)], the Septuagint reads Edom х 'Edom (H123)]. But the Syrians were famed as merchants. Henderson urges in favour of "Edom" that it is not likely that Idumea and its capital, Petra, famed for traffic, should be left unnoticed, whereas "Syria" may be viewed as included under "Damascus" (Ezekiel 27:18). "Edom" is supported also by 15 manuscripts. and the Hexapla, Syriac, and Arabic versions.

They occupied in thy fairs - old English for 'traded;' so in Luke 19:13, "Occupy until I come."

With ... agate - others translate, 'ruby,' 'chalcedony,' or 'pearls.'

Ezekiel 27:16

16 Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.