Ezekiel 27:18

KJV

Damascus [was] thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.

KJV (with Strong's)

Damascus {H1834} was thy merchant {H5503} in the multitude {H7230} of the wares of thy making {H4639}, for the multitude {H7230} of all riches {H1952}; in the wine {H3196} of Helbon {H2463}, and white {H6713} wool {H6785}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Because you were so wealthy, with such a variety of valuable merchandise, Dammesek traded wine from Helbon and white wool with you.

Berean Standard Bible

Because of your many products and your great wealth of goods, Damascus traded with you wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar,

American Standard Version

Damascus was thy merchant for the multitude of thy handiworks, by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches, with the wine of Helbon, and white wool.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:18 is a meticulous detail within a profound prophetic lament over Tyre, a dominant maritime power metaphorically depicted as a magnificent merchant ship. This verse specifically highlights the city of Damascus as a crucial trading partner, detailing its significant contributions to Tyre's immense wealth through the exchange of "wares of thy making" for "wine of Helbon, and white wool," thereby underscoring the vastness, specificity, and luxurious nature of Tyre's extensive commercial network.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 27 unfolds as a highly detailed dirge, or funeral lament, for the city of Tyre, a preeminent Phoenician city-state. Following an initial oracle of judgment in [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre"), Chapter 27 elaborates on Tyre's past splendor and prophesied downfall by portraying it as a grand, perfectly constructed ship that ultimately sinks amidst a storm. The chapter meticulously itemizes Tyre's global commercial network, listing numerous trading partners from across the ancient world and the specific commodities they exchanged. Verse 18 fits precisely within this detailed inventory, specifically focusing on Damascus's role in supplying luxury goods, thereby illustrating the breadth and depth of Tyre's economic influence before its prophesied destruction. The preceding verses detail other significant partners like Tarshish and Javan, while subsequent verses continue the exhaustive list, collectively building a comprehensive picture of Tyre's vast mercantile empire.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre, strategically located on the Mediterranean coast, was a preeminent Phoenician city renowned for its naval prowess, extensive trade routes, and manufacturing capabilities, particularly in the production of highly valued purple dye. Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, was a vital inland hub situated at the crossroads of major trade routes connecting Mesopotamia, Syria, and the Mediterranean. Its strategic location made it an indispensable partner for a maritime power like Tyre, facilitating the exchange of goods between the coastal and interior regions. The mention of "wine of Helbon" is particularly significant; Helbon, a region near Damascus, was famed for producing high-quality wine, so much so that it was reportedly favored by Persian kings, indicating its premium status. "White wool" likely refers to fine, high-grade wool, a valuable commodity used for luxurious textiles in the ancient world. This verse provides valuable insight into the sophisticated economic geography and specialized regional products that characterized ancient Near Eastern commerce.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as an integral part of the larger lament over Tyre, contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel's prophecy. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the **extensive commercial network** and **immense wealth** that defined Tyre, showcasing its global reach and intricate trade relationships. The detailed enumeration of goods and partners emphasizes the city's unparalleled prosperity and its perceived self-sufficiency, which ultimately fostered a spirit of **pride and arrogant self-reliance**. This pride, as explicitly highlighted in passages like [Ezekiel 28:2](/ezekiel/28-2 "Ezekiel 28:2 - Tyre's Pride and Presumption"), is presented as a central reason for God's impending judgment against Tyre. Furthermore, the meticulous description of earthly riches serves to underscore the **vanity and fleeting nature of worldly prosperity** when it becomes an object of ultimate trust, contrasting sharply with the enduring nature of divine sovereignty and the true source of lasting security. The chapter's ultimate message is that even the most powerful and wealthy human endeavors are ultimately subject to God's ultimate judgment and can be brought to ruin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Damascus (Hebrew, _Dammeseq'_):** This refers to the ancient city of Damascus, a significant Syrian city and a crucial trading partner for Tyre. Its inclusion highlights the geographical reach and strategic importance of Tyre's trade network, extending inland from its coastal stronghold. The name itself is noted as being of foreign origin, reflecting its long history and diverse cultural interactions as a major crossroads.
* **wares of thy making (Hebrew, _maʻăseh'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to do" or "to make," this term specifically refers to "a product," "thing made," or "work." This emphasizes Tyre's role not merely as a re-exporter of goods but as a significant manufacturing center. Tyre produced its own valuable commodities, which it then traded for raw materials or other finished products from partners like Damascus, showcasing its industrial capacity and skilled craftsmanship.
* **multitude (Hebrew, _rôb'_):** This word signifies "abundance," "greatness in number," or "much." Its repetition in the verse ("multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches") powerfully conveys the sheer volume and overwhelming quantity of goods and wealth involved in Tyre's commerce. It underscores the extraordinary scale of Tyre's prosperity and the vastness of its economic transactions, painting a picture of overwhelming material success.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Damascus [was] thy merchant":** This opening clause unequivocally establishes Damascus's direct and significant role as a key trading partner with Tyre. It implies a regular, established commercial relationship where Damascus acted as a supplier or intermediary for goods destined for Tyre, or vice-versa, indicating a sophisticated and interconnected ancient economy.
* **"in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches":** This phrase vividly describes the nature and immense scale of the trade between the two cities. Tyre exchanged its own manufactured goods ("wares of thy making") in vast quantities ("multitude") for an equally immense volume of wealth and valuable commodities ("multitude of all riches"). This highlights Tyre's dual role as both a prolific producer and a voracious consumer of vast wealth, underscoring its economic dominance.
* **"in the wine of Helbon, and white wool":** This specifies two of the high-value, luxury commodities that Damascus supplied to Tyre. "Wine of Helbon" indicates a premium, regionally specific product, renowned for its superior quality and likely consumed by the elite. "White wool" denotes fine, high-grade wool, a valuable raw material likely used for luxurious textiles, further emphasizing the specialized and opulent nature of the goods involved in this particular trade relationship.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 27:18, as an integral part of a larger poetic lament, employs several literary devices to enhance its descriptive power and thematic impact. The entire chapter utilizes **Extended Metaphor** by portraying Tyre as a magnificent, perfectly constructed ship that eventually founders in the sea, with each trading partner representing a part of its structure or cargo. Within this specific verse, the detailed listing of specific, high-value goods like "wine of Helbon" and "white wool" serves as a form of **Merism**, where particular examples are given to represent the totality of luxurious and high-value commodities exchanged, illustrating the breadth of Tyre's opulent trade. The repeated use of "multitude" (Hebrew: *rôb*) functions as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the overwhelming scale and abundance of Tyre's wealth and trade, creating a powerful sense of awe at its prosperity and simultaneously foreshadowing the magnitude of its eventual loss. This detailed **Imagery** of specific goods and trading partners contributes to the vivid and comprehensive picture of Tyre's elaborate commercial empire, making its prophesied downfall all the more impactful and tragic.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:18, while seemingly a mere economic inventory, is deeply embedded in a profound theological message about pride, wealth, and divine judgment. Tyre's meticulous commercial success and accumulated riches, exemplified by its intricate trade with Damascus, fostered an arrogant self-reliance, leading the city to believe in its own invincibility and wisdom apart from God. This passage, therefore, serves as a stark reminder that earthly prosperity, no matter how vast or meticulously acquired, is ultimately fleeting and subject to God's sovereign will. The detailed description of Tyre's material glory ultimately sets the stage for its dramatic fall, illustrating the biblical principle that placing ultimate trust in wealth and human achievement leads to spiritual bankruptcy and divine reckoning. It underscores that true security and lasting value are found not in temporal riches but in faithful submission to the Creator.

* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trust in Riches vs. Righteousness")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of Tyre's commercial empire in Ezekiel 27, including its specific trade with Damascus, offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers. In a world that often measures success by material accumulation, economic prowess, and self-made fortunes, this passage challenges us to critically examine where our ultimate trust and security truly lie. Is our confidence rooted in our financial portfolios, our professional achievements, the stability of our national economy, or the perceived strength of our personal networks? The fleeting nature of Tyre's immense wealth, despite its global reach and detailed inventory of luxury goods, serves as a powerful cautionary tale, urging us to recognize that all earthly treasures are transient and susceptible to decay, disruption, or divine judgment. True and lasting security, enduring joy, and eternal significance are found only in a vibrant relationship with God and in diligently pursuing His kingdom and righteousness. This passage calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, gratitude, and radical generosity, recognizing that all we possess is a gift from God and should be stewarded for His glory, not as a source of self-exaltation or ultimate reliance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might I be tempted to place my ultimate trust in my own resources, achievements, or the perceived stability of worldly systems, rather than in God alone?**
* **How does the detailed description of Tyre's vast and ultimately fleeting wealth challenge my own perceptions of success, prosperity, and what truly constitutes a rich life?**
* **What practical, tangible steps can I take this week to cultivate a heart that is less attached to material possessions and more passionately focused on eternal treasures and God's purposes?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Damascus as a trading partner for Tyre?**

Answer: Damascus was highly significant because of its strategic geographical location. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, it was situated at the crossroads of major trade routes connecting Mesopotamia, Syria, and the Mediterranean. For Tyre, a dominant maritime power, Damascus served as a vital inland hub, facilitating access to valuable interior resources and markets. It acted as a crucial link in Tyre's extensive supply chain, enabling the exchange of goods that complemented Tyre's maritime trade. The specific goods mentioned, like Helbon wine and white wool, further highlight Damascus's role in supplying high-value, specialized commodities to Tyre's luxury trade, underscoring its indispensable contribution to Tyre's immense wealth, as detailed in [Ezekiel 27](/ezekiel/27 "Ezekiel 27 - The Lament for Tyre").

**What was "wine of Helbon" and why was it important?**

Answer: "Wine of Helbon" refers to a specific type of wine produced in the region of Helbon, located near Damascus in ancient Syria. It was highly prized for its superior quality and was considered a luxury item throughout the ancient Near East. Historical sources suggest that this wine was even favored by Persian kings, indicating its widespread reputation for excellence. Its mention in [Ezekiel 27:18](/ezekiel/27-18 "Ezekiel 27:18 - Tyre's Trade with Damascus") underscores the sophisticated nature of ancient commerce, where specific regional products of high quality were traded over long distances. For Tyre, acquiring such a renowned commodity contributed to its reputation as a city dealing in the finest and most luxurious goods, further illustrating its opulence and extensive trade network.

**How does this verse contribute to the overall message of Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre?**

Answer: This verse, by meticulously detailing Tyre's trade with Damascus, contributes profoundly to the overall message of Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre by illustrating the immense wealth, global reach, and self-sufficient pride that characterized the city. The extensive list of trading partners and goods throughout [Ezekiel 27](/ezekiel/27 "Ezekiel 27 - The Lament for Tyre") paints a vivid picture of Tyre's perceived invincibility and its arrogant reliance on its own economic prowess and wisdom. This detailed description of its earthly glory serves as a powerful setup for the subsequent prophecy of its dramatic and complete downfall. It highlights that even the most formidable human empires, built on vast riches and intricate networks, are ultimately vulnerable to divine judgment when they elevate themselves above God and become consumed by pride, demonstrating the fleeting nature of worldly power compared to God's ultimate sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lament over Tyre, with its detailed catalog of earthly riches and eventual destruction, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment by contrasting the fleeting nature of worldly kingdoms and material wealth with the eternal, spiritual kingdom established by Jesus Christ. Tyre's pride in its "multitude of all riches" and "wares of thy making" reflects humanity's pervasive tendency to find security, identity, and ultimate satisfaction in material possessions and self-made achievements, a pride that ultimately leads to ruin, as soberly warned in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). In stark contrast, Jesus taught His disciples not to "store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal," but rather to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:19-20](/matthew/6-19-20 "Matthew 6:19-20 - Treasures in Heaven")). He Himself, though "rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")), offering true spiritual wealth that transcends any earthly commodity. The judgment upon Tyre foreshadows the ultimate judgment upon all systems and individuals that reject God's sovereignty and cling to the vanity of this world. Christ, as the true and eternal King, offers a kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")), where true riches are found in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God")). The meticulous description of Tyre's earthly glory ultimately serves to magnify the surpassing glory of Christ's eternal reign and the enduring, priceless value of His salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 7:8

For the head of Syria [is] Damascus, and the head of Damascus [is] Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.

Genesis 14:15

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which [is] on the left hand of Damascus.

Acts 9:2

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 47:16

Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which [is] between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which [is] by the coast of Hauran.

Ezekiel 47:18

And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel [by] Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And [this is] the east side.

Genesis 15:2

¶ And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus?

1 Kings 11:24

And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them [of Zobah]: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.