from עָזַב in the sense of letting go (for a price, i.e. selling); trade, i.e. the place (mart) or the payment (revenue); fair, ware.
Transliteration:ʻizzâbôwn
Pronunciation:iz-zaw-bone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn, `{{H5801}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verb עָזַב (ʻazab, `{{H5800}}`), which primarily means "to leave," "to forsake," or "to abandon." In the context of עִזָּבוֹן, the root takes on a specialized commercial sense of "letting go" or "releasing" something for a price, i.e., selling. This foundational meaning informs its semantic range, which encompasses:
1. **Trade/Commerce:** The act or system of exchanging goods or services.
2. **Place of Trade:** A market, mart, or fair where commercial transactions occur.
3. **Wares/Merchandise:** The goods or commodities themselves that are exchanged or sold.
4. **Payment/Revenue:** The proceeds or value obtained from commercial activity.
While the base definition suggests a broad range, its biblical occurrences narrow its primary focus to the tangible goods involved in trade. It speaks to the dynamic nature of economic exchange, where items are "let go" from one's possession in exchange for value.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn, `{{H5801}}`) appears exclusively twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the prophet Ezekiel's lament over Tyre in chapter 27. These occurrences consistently refer to the "wares" or "merchandise" that constituted the vast commercial empire of Tyre.
1. **[[Ezekiel 27:12]]**: "Tarshish was your merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded for your wares."
* Here, עִזְבוֹנָיִךְ (ʻizbônayikh) refers to the specific commodities or goods that Tyre offered for trade. The verse highlights the extensive network of Tyre's commerce, with distant lands like Tarshish engaging in exchange for Tyre's diverse products. The focus is on the *objects* of trade.
2. **[[Ezekiel 27:33]]**: "When your wares went forth from the seas, you filled many peoples; with the multitude of your riches and your merchandise, you enriched the kings of the earth."
* Similarly, עִזְבוֹנַיִךְ (ʻizbônayikh) again denotes the exported goods or merchandise. This verse emphasizes the sheer volume and global reach of Tyre's trade, attributing its immense wealth and influence over "the kings of the earth" to the proliferation of its "wares." The context underscores the material foundation of Tyre's power and pride.
In both instances, עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn) points to the tangible goods that were the lifeblood of Tyre's economy, showcasing its role as a central hub for international commerce and the source of its immense, albeit ultimately fleeting, prosperity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn, `{{H5801}}`) is enriched by examining its etymological root and other terms related to commerce and wealth in the Hebrew Bible:
* **Root Verb:** The foundational verb עָזַב (ʻazab, `{{H5800}}`) means "to leave, forsake, abandon." The connection to עִזָּבוֹן lies in the causative sense of "letting go" or "releasing" goods, specifically in the context of a commercial transaction where ownership is transferred for value. This highlights the deliberate act of parting with an item.
* **Other Words for Merchandise/Trade:**
* סְחֹרָה (sĕḥōrâ, `{{H5507}}`): "merchandise, traffic." This term also frequently appears in Ezekiel 27, often alongside or in parallel with עִזָּבוֹן, reinforcing the focus on commercial goods.
* מִסְחָר (misḥār, `{{H4055}}`): "trade, merchandise, traffic." Another common term for commercial activity and the goods involved.
* מִקָּח (miqqāḥ, `{{H4726}}`): "purchase, acquisition." Focuses on the act of buying.
* מִמְכָּר (mimkār, `{{H4479}}`): "sale, selling." Focuses on the act of selling.
* **Concepts:** The word evokes broader concepts such as:
* **Commerce and Economy:** The system of exchange that sustains societies.
* **Wealth and Prosperity:** The accumulation of material goods and riches.
* **International Relations:** The interaction between nations through trade.
* **Materialism:** The potential for an overemphasis on tangible possessions.
### Theological Significance
While עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn, `{{H5801}}`) is a secular term for merchandise, its theological significance derives from its specific placement within Ezekiel's prophetic indictment of Tyre. The city of Tyre, depicted as a marvel of commercial success, becomes a powerful biblical illustration of the dangers inherent in pride rooted in material prosperity and self-sufficiency.
1. **The Peril of Pride in Prosperity:** The "wares" (עִזָּבוֹן) of Tyre were the very foundation of its immense wealth and the source of its arrogant self-perception. Ezekiel 27, culminating in the city's downfall, teaches that economic prowess, though seemingly beneficial, can foster a spirit of independence from God and lead to a nation's spiritual and physical ruin. The abundance of their "wares" led to a forgetting of the divine source of all blessings.
2. **Divine Sovereignty over Nations:** The lament over Tyre, with its detailed description of its commercial network built on its "wares," ultimately serves to demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, even those seemingly impregnable due to their economic might. The judgment pronounced upon Tyre underscores that even the most elaborate human systems of trade and wealth are subject to God's ultimate decree.
3. **Caution Against Materialism:** The passage implicitly warns against the idolatry of wealth. When "wares" and the pursuit of profit become the ultimate end, rather than a means to serve God and humanity, they can lead to moral corruption and divine judgment. The "letting go" of goods in trade can tragically mirror a "letting go" of divine principles for worldly gain.
Thus, עִזָּבוֹן, while denoting simple goods, functions as a poignant symbol of the transient nature of worldly wealth and the spiritual perils associated with placing ultimate trust in economic power rather than in the Almighty.
### Summary
The Hebrew word עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn, `{{H5801}}`) is a technical term signifying "wares" or "merchandise." Derived from the root עָזַב (`{{H5800}}`), it carries the sense of "letting go" or "releasing" goods in a commercial exchange. Its two sole occurrences in [[Ezekiel 27:12]] and [[Ezekiel 27:33]] consistently refer to the abundant commodities that characterized the vast commercial empire of Tyre. Theologically, the word's appearance within Ezekiel's lament over Tyre serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It highlights how the accumulation of "wares" and the pride derived from economic prosperity can lead a nation to neglect its dependence on God, ultimately resulting in divine judgment. It underscores a biblical perspective that while trade and wealth are not inherently evil, their pursuit can become an idolatrous snare when they overshadow reliance on the Creator.
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