Ezekiel 27:20

KJV

Dedan [was] thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.

KJV (with Strong's)

Dedan {H1719} was thy merchant {H7402} in precious {H2667} clothes {H899} for chariots {H7396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

D'dan traded with you for riding gear.

Berean Standard Bible

Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding.

American Standard Version

Dedan was thy trafficker in precious cloths for riding.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 27:20 provides a meticulous detail within the prophet Ezekiel's profound lamentation over the opulent maritime city of Tyre. This verse specifically identifies Dedan as a significant trading partner, supplying Tyre with highly valued textiles for chariots. It underscores the vast commercial reach and specialized luxury goods that flowed into Tyre's markets, serving as a microcosm of the city's immense wealth, extensive trade networks, and the pride that ultimately preceded its divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Chapter 27 of Ezekiel is an elaborate and poignant dirge, personifying Tyre as a magnificent, perfectly crafted ship that is destined for a catastrophic shipwreck. Following the general prophecy of Tyre's destruction in [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre"), this chapter meticulously details the various nations, regions, and resources that contributed to Tyre's unparalleled grandeur, wealth, and commercial dominance. The prophet Ezekiel systematically lists Tyre's extensive network of trading partners, their specific contributions, and the luxurious goods that flowed through its markets, painting a vivid picture of its globalized ancient economy. This detailed inventory, including the mention of Dedan in [Ezekiel 27:20](/ezekiel/27-20 "Ezekiel 27:20 - Dedan's Trade with Tyre"), serves to magnify Tyre's immense prosperity and pride, thereby intensifying the tragic impact of its prophesied downfall. The chapter culminates in a vivid description of the city's ruin, emphasizing that all its glory and extensive connections will not save it from divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, was renowned in the ancient world for its maritime prowess, extensive trade, and formidable defenses. By the time of Ezekiel's prophecy (6th century BCE), it had established itself as a central hub for commerce, connecting the East and West. Dedan, mentioned in this verse, was an ancient Arabian tribe and a significant trading center, likely situated in the northern Hejaz region of modern-day Saudi Arabia. Dedan was strategically located on the incense and spice trade routes that connected southern Arabia with the Levant and Mesopotamia. While primarily known for aromatic goods, their involvement in supplying "precious clothes for chariots" to Tyre indicates either a diversification of their trade goods, perhaps acting as intermediaries for textiles originating from further east, or a specialized local production catering to the luxury market. This trade relationship highlights the sophisticated and interconnected nature of ancient economies, where goods, culture, and influence flowed across vast distances.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 27:20, embedded within the broader lament, powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent in the book of Ezekiel and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores **Tyre's Commercial Dominance and Extensive Trade Networks**, illustrating the city's unparalleled success as a trading empire that commanded a diverse array of goods from across the known world. The mention of Dedan, an Arabian trading hub, exemplifies the far-reaching connections Tyre maintained, spanning from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Peninsula. Secondly, the phrase "precious clothes for chariots" highlights **Luxury and Specialization**, pointing to Tyre's role as a market for elite, high-value items, reflecting the wealth and status of its clientele and its own citizens. Finally, and most significantly, this verse contributes to the overarching theme of **Pride and Impending Judgment**. Tyre's immense wealth and beauty fostered a profound sense of self-sufficiency and arrogance, which the prophet declares will inevitably lead to its downfall. This serves as a stark reminder that earthly power and prosperity, when divorced from divine recognition and humility, are ultimately transient and subject to God's sovereign judgment, a principle echoed throughout scripture, as seen in the warnings against hubris in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dedan (Hebrew, _Dᵉdân_):** This refers to an ancient people and their territory, identified as one of two Cushite groups, likely located in the northern Hejaz region of the Arabian Peninsula. Their inclusion in Tyre's trade network signifies the vast geographical reach of Tyre's commercial empire, extending beyond the immediate Mediterranean basin into the lucrative Arabian trade routes.
* **merchant (Hebrew, _râkal_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to travel for trading," this term highlights Dedan's active role as a commercial agent. It emphasizes their direct and intentional engagement in trade, indicating that Dedan was not merely a source of goods but an established entity involved in the exchange and transportation of commodities with Tyre.
* **clothes (Hebrew, _beged_):** From a root meaning "a covering," this word generally refers to clothing or apparel. In this context, when combined with the descriptor "precious" (H2667, _chôphesh_, meaning "something spread loosely, i.e., a carpet"), it signifies high-quality, likely ornate or specialized textiles. This suggests luxury fabrics, perhaps richly embroidered or dyed, intended not for common wear but for specific, high-status applications.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Dedan [was] thy merchant":** This clause identifies Dedan as a key trading partner of Tyre. The implied verb "was" in the Hebrew establishes a direct and ongoing commercial relationship, positioning Dedan as an active participant in Tyre's vast economic network, bringing goods to the Phoenician city.
* **"in precious clothes":** This phrase specifies the type of goods supplied by Dedan. The "clothes" (Hebrew _beged_) are qualified as "precious" (Hebrew _chôphesh_), indicating textiles of high value, superior quality, or decorative nature. This suggests luxury items rather than utilitarian fabrics, pointing to the elite market Tyre served.
* **"for chariots":** This final phrase clarifies the specific purpose or destination of these precious textiles. They were not merely general clothing but specialized coverings or adornments for chariots. This detail further underscores the luxury and status associated with these goods, as chariots were symbols of wealth, military power, and royal prestige in the ancient Near East.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, within the larger lament, employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "Dedan" to represent not just a geographical location but the people and their sophisticated commercial enterprise. This allows the prophet to concisely refer to a complex and far-reaching trading relationship. The description of "precious clothes for chariots" utilizes **Symbolism**, where the chariots themselves symbolize wealth, military might, and the elite status of Tyre's clientele. The luxury textiles further symbolize the extravagance and opulence that characterized Tyre's commercial empire. The entire chapter, in which this verse is embedded, functions as an elaborate **Lament** or **Dirge**, a poetic form typically used to mourn the dead. By applying this form to a living, thriving city, Ezekiel dramatically foreshadows its inevitable demise, imbuing the detailed descriptions of its prosperity with a profound sense of impending loss and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 27:20, by detailing a specific aspect of Tyre's immense commercial network, serves as a powerful illustration of the transient nature of earthly wealth and human achievement when not aligned with divine purposes. The meticulous cataloging of Tyre's resources and trading partners, including Dedan, highlights the city's self-reliance and pride in its material prosperity, which ultimately became its undoing. Theologically, this verse contributes to the broader biblical theme that excessive pride and an unchecked pursuit of wealth can lead to spiritual blindness and divine judgment. Tyre's downfall, despite its global reach and luxurious trade, underscores God's sovereignty over all nations and economies, reminding us that true security and lasting value are not found in material possessions or commercial empires, but in a right relationship with the Creator. This prophetic warning against the dangers of idolatry of wealth resonates throughout scripture, calling believers to examine their own priorities and allegiances.

* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trust in Riches Will Fall")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")
* [Revelation 18:11-19](/revelation/18-11-19 "Revelation 18:11-19 - Lament for Babylon's Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 27:20, though a historical detail, offers profound contemporary relevance. It challenges us to consider the nature of our own economic systems and personal pursuits. Just as Tyre's vast commercial empire and its trade in luxury goods ultimately could not save it from judgment, so too are modern economies and individual accumulations of wealth subject to God's ultimate sovereignty and the inherent transience of all earthly things. This verse invites us to reflect on where we place our trust and derive our security. Are we, like Tyre, prone to an unchecked pursuit of material prosperity and the pride that often accompanies it, potentially overlooking spiritual realities and ethical responsibilities? It calls us to consider the ethical implications of global trade, the sources of our luxury goods, and the potential for wealth to become an idol. Ultimately, it directs us to seek enduring value and true riches in a relationship with God, rather than in the fleeting commodities of this world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed description of Tyre's commercial network in Ezekiel 27, including the trade with Dedan, challenge our modern understanding of global economies and their moral implications?**
* **What "precious clothes for chariots" – luxury items or status symbols – do we or our societies prioritize today, and what might this reveal about our values and potential vulnerabilities?**
* **In what ways might the pursuit of wealth and commercial success lead to pride or a false sense of security in our own lives or communities, echoing Tyre's downfall?**

### FAQ
**Who was Dedan, and why is their trade with Tyre significant?**

Answer: Dedan was an ancient Arabian tribe and a significant trading hub located in the northern Hejaz region of modern-day Saudi Arabia. Their trade with Tyre is significant because it highlights the vast and sophisticated commercial network Tyre commanded. While Dedan was primarily known for its role in the incense and spice trade routes, their supply of "precious clothes for chariots" to Tyre indicates either a diversification of their goods or their role as intermediaries for luxury textiles originating from further east. This connection underscores Tyre's position as a central clearinghouse for goods from across the ancient world, from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Peninsula.

**What is the significance of "precious clothes for chariots"?**

Answer: The phrase "precious clothes for chariots" refers to highly valued, likely ornate or specialized textiles used to adorn chariots. In the ancient world, chariots were not merely modes of transport; they were powerful symbols of wealth, military strength, and royal or aristocratic status. Supplying such luxury items for chariots indicates that Tyre was a market for elite goods, catering to the wealthy and powerful. This detail emphasizes the extravagance and opulence that characterized Tyre's commercial empire and the high-end nature of its trade, contributing to the overall picture of its immense, yet ultimately fragile, prosperity.

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

Answer: Ezekiel 27:20, by detailing a specific trade relationship, serves as a microcosm of Tyre's immense commercial power and global reach. It contributes to the larger narrative of Tyre's pride and self-sufficiency, which is the central theme of Ezekiel's prophecy against the city. The meticulous inventory of Tyre's wealth and connections throughout [Ezekiel 27](/ezekiel/27 "Ezekiel 27 - Lament Over Tyre") is not merely descriptive; it sets the stage for the dramatic pronouncement of its inevitable downfall. The verse underscores that despite its vast resources and extensive network, Tyre's hubris would lead to divine judgment, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and their transient glories.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lament over Tyre, with its detailed catalog of earthly riches and eventual destruction, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate futility of placing trust in worldly systems and material wealth. Ezekiel 27:20, highlighting the trade in "precious clothes for chariots," speaks to the allure of status, power, and luxury that characterized Tyre's pride. In Christ, we find the antithesis and fulfillment of this earthly paradigm. While Tyre's merchants sought temporal gain, Christ offers eternal riches and true spiritual adornment, inviting us to lay up treasures not on earth, where moth and rust destroy, but in heaven ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")). The judgment pronounced on Tyre, a city consumed by its own glory, points to the ultimate judgment against all kingdoms and systems that oppose God, a judgment from which Christ delivers His people through His atoning sacrifice. He is the true "merchant" who gave up His own divine glory to purchase our salvation, offering us a righteousness that is truly precious, a "fine linen, bright and pure" ([Revelation 19:8](/revelation/19-8 "Revelation 19:8 - The Righteous Deeds of the Saints")) that far surpasses any earthly garment. In Him, we find a kingdom that will never be destroyed ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")), a security that transcends all fleeting commercial empires, and a lasting glory that is not rooted in human pride but in divine grace ([Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's Gain Is Loss for Christ")).

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

Genesis 25:3

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

Ezekiel 27:15

The men of Dedan [were] thy merchants; many isles [were] the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee [for] a present horns of ivory and ebony.