Helbon
Helbon is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Syria in modern-day Lebanon. Known today as Halbun. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Helbon appears in Ezekiel 27:18 within the great lamentation over Tyre, where the prophet catalogs the commercial partners of the wealthy Phoenician trading city. Helbon is specifically cited as a supplier of wine: 'Damascus traded with you for your many wares, for your great wealth of every kind, wine of Helbon and white wool.' This brief reference establishes Helbon as a location renowned in the ancient Near East for the quality of its wine, significant enough to supply one of the great commercial hubs of the biblical world. Ancient Near Eastern sources corroborate this reputation — Assyrian and Persian royal records mention Helbon wine as a luxury item prized by monarchs. The modern village of Halbun (Helbun), located in the Qalamoun mountains north of Damascus in modern Syria, preserves the ancient name and the area's viticultural tradition. Helbon's inclusion in Ezekiel's oracle illustrates the broad geographical reach of Tyre's commercial network and the prophet's intimate familiarity with the trade routes and commodities of the ancient Levantine world.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Helbon is confidently identified with the modern village of Halbun (also spelled Helbun), located approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Damascus in the Qalamoun range of the Anti-Lebanon mountains. The ancient name is preserved in the modern toponym. The region has long supported viticulture due to its elevation, fertile valleys, and suitable climate. Classical sources including Strabo also mention Chalybon wine as a prized vintage. Limited archaeological survey work has been conducted in the area, but the continuity of wine-growing tradition and name preservation make the identification among the more secure in the Ezekiel trade-list. No major excavation of the ancient settlement has been published.
Verse Appearances (1)
Ezek
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