Ezekiel 27:19

Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.

Dan {H2051}{H1835} also and Javan {H3120} going to and fro {H235} occupied {H5414} in thy fairs {H5801}: bright {H6219} iron {H1270}, cassia {H6916}, and calamus {H7070}, were in thy market {H4627}.

V'dan and Yavan from Uzal traded ironwork, cassia and aromatic cane for your goods.

and casks of wine from Izal for your wares. Wrought iron, cassia, and sweet cane were exchanged for your merchandise.

Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise.

Commentary

Ezekiel 27:19 is part of a vivid lamentation over the city of Tyre, depicted as a magnificent merchant ship whose extensive trade network brought it immense wealth and influence. This particular verse details some of the specific goods and trading partners that contributed to Tyre's prosperity.

Historical and Cultural Context

The city of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state, was a major maritime power and trading hub in the ancient world. Ezekiel chapters 26-28 are dedicated to prophecies against Tyre, highlighting its immense wealth, pride, and eventual downfall. Verse 19 specifically names two key trading partners: Dan and Javan.

  • Dan: This likely refers to the Israelite tribe of Dan, or a region associated with them, possibly indicating trade routes extending into the northern parts of Israel or even further north. Their presence in Tyre's "fairs" (markets) suggests active participation in the city's bustling commerce.
  • Javan: This term is widely understood to refer to the Ionian Greeks, representing the Aegean world. Tyre's trade with Javan underscores its far-reaching commercial ties across the Mediterranean, bringing goods from the Greek lands to the Near East. The phrase "going to and fro" emphasizes the constant movement of merchants and goods characteristic of Tyre's vibrant economy.

The goods mentioned—bright iron, cassia, and calamus—were valuable commodities. Iron, especially "bright" or refined iron, was crucial for tools, weapons, and construction. Cassia and calamus were prized aromatic spices, used for perfumes, incense, and anointing oils, indicating luxury trade items.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extensive Trade Network: The verse vividly portrays Tyre's vast commercial reach, connecting diverse regions from Israel to Greece. This highlights Tyre's central role as an international trade facilitator.
  • Material Wealth and Luxury: The specific mention of valuable commodities like refined iron and exotic spices (cassia and calamus) underscores the opulence and material prosperity that defined Tyre.
  • God's Detailed Knowledge: The prophet Ezekiel's ability to list specific trading partners and goods demonstrates God's intimate knowledge of human affairs, even the intricate details of international commerce. This precision adds weight to the subsequent prophecies of judgment against Tyre, as seen in Ezekiel 26.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fairs" (maʿarāb) can also mean "barter" or "merchandise," emphasizing the transactional nature of their engagement. "Bright iron" (barzel ʿāšūy) suggests finished or wrought iron, indicating a level of craftsmanship or quality. Cassia (qiddāh) and calamus (qāneh) were significant aromatic ingredients, notably part of the holy anointing oil in the tabernacle, as described in Exodus 30:24.

Practical Application

This verse, within the broader context of Tyre's rise and fall, serves as a reminder that while prosperity and international connections can be blessings, they often come with the temptation of pride and self-sufficiency. Tyre's focus on its vast wealth ultimately led to its spiritual downfall and God's judgment (see Ezekiel 28:5). For us today, it highlights the importance of maintaining proper perspective on material possessions and acknowledging the ultimate source of all blessings. Our focus should be on building a spiritual legacy rather than solely accumulating earthly treasures, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-21.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 30:23

    Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred [shekels], and of sweet cinnamon half so much, [even] two hundred and fifty [shekels], and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty [shekels],

  • Exodus 30:24

    And of cassia five hundred [shekels], after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:

  • Judges 18:29

    And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city [was] Laish at the first.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:13

    Thy plants [are] an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,

  • Song Of Solomon 4:14

    Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

  • Psalms 45:8

    All thy garments [smell] of myrrh, and aloes, [and] cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
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