perhaps for עֵדֶן; Vedan (or Aden), a place in Arabia; Dan also.
Transliteration:Vᵉdân
Pronunciation:ved-awn'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma Vᵉdân (`{{H2051}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a geographical designation. Its base definition suggests it is "perhaps for עֵדֶן (Eden, `{{H5731}}`)," indicating a potential etymological link to the concept of "delight" or "pleasure." However, its primary identification is as a specific place, "Vedan (or Aden), a place in Arabia." The parenthetical "Dan also" is a less certain interpretive note, possibly suggesting a scribal variant or an alternative understanding, but the strong geographical context points to an Arabian location. The most widely accepted identification is with the ancient city of Aden, a significant port in modern-day Yemen, strategically located on the Arabian Peninsula.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Vᵉdân (`{{H2051}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Ezekiel:
* [[Ezekiel 27:19]]: "Vedan and Javan from Uzal traded with your wares; wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were among your merchandise."
This verse is part of Ezekiel's elaborate lamentation over the city of Tyre, a powerful maritime trading hub. Chapter 27 provides a detailed inventory of Tyre's vast commercial network, listing the nations and regions that supplied it with various goods. The mention of Vedan in this context firmly establishes it as a significant trading partner.
The commodities supplied by Vedan—wrought iron, cassia, and calamus—are noteworthy. Wrought iron suggests industrial or mineral resources, while cassia and calamus are aromatic spices and resins, typically associated with the lucrative spice trade routes that traversed the Arabian Peninsula from the East. The pairing of "Vedan and Javan from Uzal" further reinforces the geographical context; Javan often refers to Greece or Ionia, and Uzal is widely identified with Sana'a, also in Yemen. This placement strongly supports the identification of Vedan with Aden, a natural port for such trade. The passage vividly portrays Tyre's global reach and its dependence on a diverse array of suppliers, including distant Arabian locales.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **עֵדֶן (Eden, `{{H5731}}`):** As noted in the Strong's definition, there is a speculative connection to this word, meaning "delight" or "pleasure." While the phonetic similarity is clear, the primary association of Vᵉdân in the biblical text is purely geographical and commercial, not directly theological in the sense of the Garden of Eden. The connection might simply imply a "delightful" or "fertile" place, suitable for trade or habitation.
* **Arabian Trade Routes:** The commodities associated with Vedan (cassia, calamus) link it directly to the ancient spice and incense trade. This commerce was vital to the economies of the ancient Near East, connecting regions like India and East Africa with the Mediterranean world via overland and maritime routes through the Arabian Peninsula. Vedan (Aden) would have been a crucial port for such traffic.
* **Tyre's Trading Partners:** Vᵉdân is part of a much larger list of nations and cities that traded with Tyre (e.g., Tarshish, Persia, Lud, Put, Tubal, Meshech, Togarmah, Dedan, Sheba, Raamah, Kedar, Arabia). This extensive list highlights the interconnectedness of the ancient world and the immense wealth and influence accumulated by Tyre through its mercantile endeavors.
### Theological Significance
As a proper geographical name in a commercial register, Vᵉdân (`{{H2051}}`) does not carry inherent theological doctrine. However, its inclusion within Ezekiel's prophetic lament over Tyre contributes to the broader theological message of the passage and the book.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Nations:** The detailed enumeration of Tyre's trading partners, including a seemingly minor or distant place like Vedan, underscores the comprehensive nature of God's knowledge and sovereignty. No nation, no city, and no economic activity is beyond His purview.
2. **The Transience of Human Glory:** The extensive description of Tyre's wealth and global connections serves to magnify the impending judgment against it. The prophecy highlights that even the most powerful and prosperous human empires, built on vast commercial networks, are ultimately fragile and subject to divine will. Vedan, as a small but integral part of this grand commercial edifice, shares in the ultimate fate of the system it supports.
3. **God's Judgment on Pride:** Tyre's downfall is presented as a consequence of its pride and self-sufficiency. The detailed description of its trade, including the goods from Vedan, emphasizes the very source of its arrogance, which God intends to humble.
### Summary
Vᵉdân (`{{H2051}}`) is a proper geographical noun, most likely identifying the ancient port city of Aden in Arabia. It appears once in [[Ezekiel 27:19]], where it is listed as a trading partner of Tyre, supplying wrought iron, cassia, and calamus. While its etymological connection to "Eden" (`{{H5731}}`) is noted, its biblical significance lies in its role within the extensive commercial network of Tyre. Theologically, Vedan's mention contributes to the broader prophetic message of Ezekiel: illustrating the vastness of Tyre's wealth and influence, which ultimately serves to highlight the comprehensive nature of God's sovereignty over all nations and the certainty of His judgment against human pride and earthly glory. It demonstrates that even the most distant and specific elements of human enterprise are known to God and fall under His divine plan.
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