12 " 'Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin and lead for your merchandise. 13 " 'Greece, Tubal and Meshek did business with you; they traded human beings and articles of bronze for your wares. 14 " 'Men of Beth Togarmah exchanged chariot horses, cavalry horses and mules for your merchandise. 15 " 'The men of Rhodes[1] traded with you, and many coastlands were your customers; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony. 16 " 'Aram[2] did business with you because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple fabric, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies for your merchandise. 17 " 'Judah and Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith and confections,[3] honey, olive oil and balm for your wares. 18 " 'Damascus did business with you because of your many products and great wealth of goods. They offered wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar 19 and casks of wine from Izal in exchange for your wares: wrought iron, cassia and calamus. 20 " 'Dedan traded in saddle blankets with you. 21 " 'Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers; they did business with you in lambs, rams and goats. 22 " 'The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your merchandise they exchanged the finest of all kinds of spices and precious stones, and gold. 23 " 'Harran, Kanneh and Eden and merchants of Sheba, Ashur and Kilmad traded with you. 24 In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted. 25 " 'The ships of Tarshish serve as carriers for your wares. You are filled with heavy cargo as you sail the sea.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 27:12-25

Commentary on Ezekiel 27:1-25

(Read Ezekiel 27:1-25)

Those who live at ease are to be lamented, if they are not prepared for trouble. Let none reckon themselves beautified, any further than they are sanctified. The account of the trade of Tyre intimates, that God's eye is upon men when employed in worldly business. Not only when at church, praying and hearing, but when in markets and fairs, buying and selling. In all our dealings we should keep a conscience void of offence. God, as the common Father of mankind, makes one country abound in one commodity, and another in another, serviceable to the necessity or to the comfort and ornament of human life. See what a blessing trade and merchandise are to mankind, when followed in the fear of God. Besides necessaries, an abundance of things are made valuable only by custom; yet God allows us to use them. But when riches increase, men are apt to set their hearts upon them, and forget the Lord, who gives power to get wealth.