The Hebrew word pannag, represented by H6436, is a term of uncertain derivation, likely referring to a type of pastry. It appears only 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible. Its sole mention places it among a list of valuable commodities, suggesting it was a specific product involved in ancient commerce.
The single biblical appearance of H6436 is in the prophecy against Tyre. In this context, it is listed as a trade good offered by Judah and Israel. The verse describes them as merchants who traded in Tyre's market with "wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm" Ezekiel 27:17. This situates pannag as a specific agricultural or manufactured product from the land of Israel, significant enough to be an item of international trade.
Several related words from its context help illuminate the commercial setting of H6436:
- H2406 chiṭṭâh (wheat): This staple grain was a primary export, listed alongside pannag as a product from the land of Israel Ezekiel 27:17. The land was known for its provision of wheat Deuteronomy 8:8.
- H1706 dᵉbash (honey): Another product traded with pannag, honey was symbolic of the abundance of the promised land Exodus 3:8.
- H7402 râkal (merchant): This term describes the role of Judah and Israel in the passage. They were the merchants who brought pannag and other goods to Tyre Ezekiel 27:17.
- H4627 maʻărâb (market): This word defines the destination for these goods. Pannag was traded in the market of the great commercial city of Tyre Ezekiel 27:17.
While obscure, the inclusion of H6436 carries significance within its prophetic context. It contributes to a broader theological picture by illustrating specific principles:
- Products of the Land: Pannag is listed among goods like wheat H2406 and honey H1706, which are representative of the produce of the land given to Israel Deuteronomy 8:8. Its trade highlights the tangible resources originating from the nation.
- Record of Commerce: The mention of a specific item like pannag demonstrates that the Bible accounts for the details of economic life, portraying Judah and Israel as active merchants H7402 in the ancient world Ezekiel 27:17.
- Context of Judgment: The detailed list of merchandise, including pannag, serves to emphasize the vast wealth and global reach of Tyre. This very greatness is the subject of a divine judgment, where all its merchandise is prophesied to "fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin" Ezekiel 27:27.
In summary, H6436 pannag is a term whose importance is derived entirely from its singular context. While its precise definition as a pastry or other commodity is uncertain, its appearance in a detailed trade manifest in Ezekiel provides a valuable snapshot of the economic products of ancient Israel. It serves as a reminder that the biblical narrative encompasses not only major theological doctrines but also the specific, tangible details of life, commerce, and the resources that nations used in their interactions with one another.
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