Ezekiel 27:12
Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares.
Tarshish
The mention of Tarshish in this verse refers to a distant trading partner known for its wealth and maritime prowess. Historically, Tarshish is often associated with a region rich in metals, possibly located in the western Mediterranean, such as southern Spain. The Hebrew root "תַּרְשִׁישׁ" (Tarshish) suggests a place of great distance and wealth, emphasizing the extensive reach of Tyre's trade network. This highlights the prosperity and influence of Tyre as a major commercial hub in the ancient world.

was your merchant
This phrase underscores the role of Tarshish as a key trading partner with Tyre. The Hebrew word for "merchant" (סֹחֵר, socher) conveys the idea of a trader or dealer, indicating a formal and profitable business relationship. This reflects the economic interdependence and the sophisticated trade systems of the ancient Near East, where cities like Tyre thrived through strategic alliances and commerce.

because of your great wealth of every kind
Tyre's wealth is described as vast and varied, indicating its status as a prosperous and influential city-state. The Hebrew word for "wealth" (עֹשֶׁר, osher) implies abundance and prosperity. This phrase highlights the city's ability to attract international trade partners due to its economic power and diverse resources, serving as a testament to its strategic location and industrious people.

they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead
The specific mention of these metals points to the valuable commodities that were traded between Tarshish and Tyre. Each metal had significant economic and practical value in the ancient world. Silver was a standard of wealth and currency, iron was crucial for tools and weapons, tin was essential for making bronze, and lead had various uses, including in construction and art. This exchange illustrates the mutual benefits of trade and the interconnectedness of ancient economies.

for your merchandise
The term "merchandise" (מַעֲרָב, ma'arav) refers to the goods and products that Tyre offered in exchange for the metals. Tyre was renowned for its production of luxury items, such as purple dye, glassware, and fine textiles. This phrase emphasizes the city's role as a producer and exporter of high-quality goods, which were in demand across the ancient world. The exchange of merchandise for metals signifies the dynamic and reciprocal nature of ancient trade relationships, where each party sought to enhance its wealth and resources through commerce.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Tarshish
A distant trading partner of Tyre, often associated with wealth and maritime trade. Its exact location is debated, but it is generally thought to be in the western Mediterranean, possibly in modern-day Spain.

2. Tyre
An ancient Phoenician city known for its wealth and extensive trade networks. Tyre was a significant maritime power and a hub of commerce in the ancient world.

3. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed messages of judgment and hope from God.

4. Trade Goods
The passage mentions silver, iron, tin, and lead, which were valuable commodities in ancient trade, highlighting the economic prosperity and extensive trade networks of Tyre.

5. Merchants
The traders from Tarshish who engaged in commerce with Tyre, representing the interconnectedness of ancient economies.
Teaching Points
The Transience of Wealth
Wealth and material prosperity, as seen in Tyre's example, are temporary and can lead to pride and downfall. Believers are encouraged to place their trust in God rather than in material possessions.

The Interconnectedness of Nations
The trade between Tyre and Tarshish illustrates the interconnectedness of nations. Christians are reminded of the importance of relationships and the impact of their actions on a global scale.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
Despite Tyre's wealth and power, God's judgment came upon it. This serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority over all nations and economies.

The Dangers of Materialism
The focus on trade and wealth in Tyre's account warns against the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of spiritual values.

The Call to Righteous Stewardship
Believers are called to be good stewards of their resources, using them to glorify God and serve others, rather than for selfish gain.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the example of Tyre's wealth and trade with Tarshish challenge our modern views on material success and prosperity?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our trust remains in God rather than in our possessions or economic status?

3. How can the interconnectedness of ancient trade networks inform our understanding of global relationships and responsibilities today?

4. What lessons can we learn from the downfall of Tyre about the consequences of pride and reliance on wealth?

5. How can we practice righteous stewardship of our resources in a way that honors God and benefits others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 23
This chapter also speaks of Tyre's wealth and eventual downfall, providing a broader context for understanding the judgment pronounced by Ezekiel.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon in Revelation echoes the themes of economic downfall and judgment seen in Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre, illustrating the transient nature of worldly wealth.

Proverbs 11:28
This verse warns against trusting in riches, which connects to the theme of Tyre's reliance on its wealth and subsequent judgment.
The Beauty, Glory, and Replenishment of the City of TyreJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 27:1-25
A Celebration of Remarkable ProsperityW. Jones Ezekiel 27:1-36
A Proud CityW. Greenhill, M. A.Ezekiel 27:1-36
God's Observation of Our Business HoursEzekiel 27:1-36
Responsibility of City RulersT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Fate of TyreJ. Parker, D. D.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Position of Tyre on Land and SeaT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 27:1-36
The Sin of TyreJohn Skinner, M. A.Ezekiel 27:1-36
Wreck of a Stately ShipJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 27:1-36
Great Fairs UniversalT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 27:12-23
Home Industries to be EncouragedEzekiel 27:12-23
The Fairs of TyreT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 27:12-23
A Picture of Extensive Commercial RelationsW. Jones Ezekiel 27:12-25
People
Aram, Ashurites, Dan, Dedan, Elishah, Ezekiel, Haran, Javan, Kedar, Kittim, Kittites, Lud, Lydia, Meshech, Phut, Tarshish, Togarmah, Tubal, Uzal, Zidon
Places
Arabia, Arvad, Asshur, Bashan, Canneh, Chilmad, Cyprus, Damascus, Dedan, Egypt, Elishah, Gamad, Gebal, Haran, Helbon, Helech, Javan, Kedar, Lebanon, Lud, Meshech, Minnith, Persia, Put, Sahar, Senir, Sheba, Sidon, Syria, Tarshish, Tigris-Euphrates Region, Tubal, Tyre, Uzal
Topics
Abundance, Amount, Business, Customer, Dealt, Exchanged, Fairs, Furnished, Goods, Iron, Kind, Kinds, Lead, Markets, Merchandise, Merchant, Multitude, Paid, Reason, Remnants, Riches, Silver, Substance, Tarshish, Tin, Traded, Trafficked, Wares, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 27:12

     4306   minerals
     4336   iron
     4363   silver
     4372   tin

Ezekiel 27:1-25

     5407   merchants

Ezekiel 27:1-36

     5587   trade

Ezekiel 27:2-36

     5899   lament

Ezekiel 27:12-13

     4303   metals

Library
Third Circuit of Galilee. The Twelve Instructed and Sent Forth.
^A Matt. IX. 35-38; X. 1, 5-42; XI. 1; ^B Mark VI. 6-13; ^C Luke IX. 1-6. ^b 6 And he ^a Jesus ^b went about ^a all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner sickness and all manner of sickness. [In the first circuit of Galilee some of the twelve accompanied Jesus as disciples (see [3]Section XXXIII.); in the second the twelve were with him as apostles; in the third they, too, are sent forth as evangelists to supplement
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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