Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, meal, honey, oil, and balm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that even in their dealings with the decadent city of Tyre, the people of God are trading their finest produce like the "wheat of Minnith" and precious "balm." This shows how God sees and holds accountable even the commercial activities of His people, reminding us that all our exchanges, big or small, are part of His watchful gaze.
Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, meal, honey, oil, and balm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage reveals that even the mighty city of Tyre, known for its vast trade, relied on the agricultural bounty of Judah and the land of Israel for essential goods. The text highlights the specific commodities like wheat from regions like Minnith, along with honey, oil, and balm, demonstrating a significant economic relationship between the Israelites and the Phoenicians. This economic interdependence is part of a larger prophetic oracle condemning Tyre for its pride and exploitation, showing how God sees and judges nations even in their commercial dealings.
It might surprise you to see who Ezekiel names as Tyre's trading partners. They aren't just random nations, but figures from Israel's own history.
Ezekiel points to 'Judah and the land of Israel' as merchants in Tyre's market. This highlights a complex relationship:
The specific products traded – 'wheat of Minnith, meal, honey, oil, and balm' – tell us something incredible about the land God gave His people.
The list of goods isn't just a shopping list; it's a testament to the fertility and blessing of the land of Israel:
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Understand the original words
chittah · Hebrew Noun
A fundamental staple of life, often representing God's provision and blessing upon the land. It is frequently used in offerings, tithes, and as a primary sign of agricultural prosperity.
debash · Hebrew Noun
A natural, sweet substance viewed as a symbol of abundance, divine favor, and the blessing of the Promised Land, which was described as 'flowing with milk and honey.' It also serves as a metaphor for the sweetness and desirability of God's Word.
shemen · Hebrew Noun
A substance used for food, lighting, and anointing. Biblically, it symbolizes the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, healing, consecration, and the richness of God's provision.
tsori · Hebrew Noun
A fragrant, aromatic resin used for medicinal purposes, healing, and soothing wounds. It is often used metaphorically for relief, restoration, and the spiritual healing provided by God.
Even as the kingdoms of Israel and Judah faced political collapse and exile, their land's agricultural bounty, particularly fine wheat from regions like Minnith, remained valuable commodities traded through the mighty Phoenician port of Tyre.
c. 1000 BC
Solomon's Trade Agreement with Tyre
King Solomon established a significant trade partnership with Hiram, King of Tyre, exchanging Israelite wheat and oil for Tyrian lumber and craftsmanship for the construction of the Temple and his palace.
931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) and the southern Kingdom of Judah (two tribes).
c. 734-732 BC
Assyrian Incursions into Israel
The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III campaigned against Israel, conquering northern territories and deporting populations, weakening the northern kingdom significantly.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel's Exile
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital, Samaria, and deporting much of its population, effectively ending the existence of the ten tribes as a distinct entity.
597 BC
First Deportation of Judah to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon besieged Jerusalem, forcing King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens and craftsmen into exile in Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population of Judah to Babylon, marking the end of the southern kingdom.
c. 590 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Prophecy Against Tyre
Ezekiel delivers his oracles against the proud and wealthy city of Tyre, whose extensive trade network included merchants from Judah and Israel, even after their political downfall.
This passage highlights the historical trade relationship between the land of Israel (specifically Solomon's kingdom) and Tyre, where Israel provided wheat and oil, mirroring the exchange described in Ezekiel 27.
Acts 12:20This verse shows that even centuries later, Judea (specifically Tyre and Sidon) was still dependent on the produce of the land, indicating a long-standing economic connection relevant to Ezekiel's message.
Deuteronomy 8:8This verse paints a picture of the land of Canaan as a place 'flowing with milk and honey,' and also rich in oil, setting the context for why Israel would have abundant goods like honey and oil to trade.
Jeremiah 8:22This verse mentions the 'balm of Gilead,' a highly prized medicinal substance, suggesting that the 'balm' traded by Israel to Tyre was a valuable commodity from their own land.
Genesis 47:24This passage details Joseph's economic plan for Egypt, requiring a fifth of the produce, indicating that organized agricultural production and trade were significant in the ancient Near East, which would have enabled trade between nations.
gillEzekiel 27:17: "Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm."
Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants,.... The inhabitants of Judah and Israel; the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the other ten tribes of Israel, they all merchandised with the Tyrians, being near unto them: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith; the name of a place, Judges 11:33, where probably the best whea…
clarkeEzekiel 27:17: "Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm."
Judah, and the land of Israel - traded in thy market wheat - The words have been understood as articles of merchandise, not names of places. So the Jews traded with the Tyrians in wheat, stacte, balsam, honey, oil, and resin.
What's striking here is that even in their dealings with the decadent city of Tyre, the people of God are trading their finest produce like the "wheat of Minnith" and precious "balm." This shows how God sees and holds accountable even the commercial activities of His people, reminding us that all our exchanges, big or small, are part of His watchful gaze.
This passage reveals that even the mighty city of Tyre, known for its vast trade, relied on the agricultural bounty of Judah and the land of Israel for essential goods. The text highlights the specific commodities like wheat from regions like Minnith, along with honey, oil, and balm, demonstrating a significant economic relationship between the Israelites and the Phoenicians. This economic interdependence is part of a larger prophetic oracle condemning Tyre for its pride and exploitation, showing how God sees and judges nations even in their commercial dealings.
This passage reveals that even the mighty city of Tyre, known for its vast trade, relied on the agricultural bounty of Judah and the land of Israel for essential goods. The text highlights the specific commodities like wheat from regions like Minnith, along with honey, oil, and balm, demonstrating a significant economic relationship between the Israelites and the Phoenicians. This economic interdependence is part of a larger prophetic oracle condemning Tyre for its pride and exploitation, showing how God sees and judges nations even in their commercial dealings.
"Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, meal, honey, oil, and balm." — What's striking here is that even in their dealings with the decadent city of Tyre, the people of God are trading their finest produce like the "wheat of Minnith" and precious "balm." This shows how…
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Last reviewed October 2026