עִזָּבוֹן

עִזָּבוֹן

trade, i.e. the place (mart) or the payment (revenue)

Definition

The Hebrew noun עִזָּבוֹן (ʻizzâbôwn) refers to commercial trade or merchandise, specifically the goods or wares being exchanged in a marketplace. It can denote both the act of trading and the items traded, as seen in the detailed inventory of Tyre's commerce in Ezekiel 27. In some contexts, it may imply the revenue or profit from such trade (Ezekiel 27:33). The word exclusively appears in Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre, painting a vivid picture of its vast, international mercantile network.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in Ezekiel 27, within the prophet's lament over the city of Tyre. All seven occurrences (Ezekiel 27:12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 27, 33) are part of a detailed catalog of the goods and trading partners that made Tyre wealthy. The usage is consistently commercial, listing specific commodities like ivory, ebony, wheat, and spices as 'merchandise' or 'wares' brought by various nations.

Etymology

Derived from the root עָזַב (ʻāzab, H5800), which generally means 'to leave, forsake, or let go.' In this specialized nominal form, the sense developed into 'that which is let go'—specifically, goods released or handed over in exchange for payment, hence 'merchandise' or 'trade.' This connects the idea of relinquishment to the act of selling.

Semantic Range

While primarily a commercial term, its exclusive use in Ezekiel 27 gives it theological weight. It underscores the theme of pride and judgment. Tyre's immense wealth and global trade (its 'merchandise') became a source of arrogance, leading to its prophesied downfall (Ezekiel 28:5). The detailed list of עִזָּבוֹן illustrates the totality of the loss—every aspect of the city's economic glory would be destroyed, demonstrating that human prosperity without God is fleeting and subject to divine judgment. In the ancient Near East, long-distance trade in luxury goods was a primary source of wealth and power for coastal cities like Tyre. עִזָּבוֹן reflects this sophisticated, international mercantile system. The listed items—precious metals, rare woods, spices, textiles—were high-value commodities traded over vast networks. This contrasts with simple local barter, highlighting Tyre's role as a central, global economic hub. מִסְחָר (miskār, H4819) — also means 'merchandise' or 'trade,' used more broadly (e.g., Proverbs 31:24). סְחֹרָה (sᵉḥōrâ, H5505) — 'merchandise' or 'traffic,' often in the context of traveling merchants (e.g., Ezekiel 27:9).

Word Details