Ezekiel Chapter 27 · Verse 12
Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
Original Language Analysis
תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ
Tarshish
H8659
תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ
Tarshish
Strong's:
H8659
Word #:
1 of 11
tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i
סֹחַרְתֵּ֖ךְ
was thy merchant
H5503
סֹחַרְתֵּ֖ךְ
was thy merchant
Strong's:
H5503
Word #:
2 of 11
to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּכֶ֤סֶף
with silver
H3701
בְּכֶ֤סֶף
with silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
6 of 11
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Cross References
Isaiah 23:10Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.Genesis 10:4And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.Ezekiel 38:13Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?1 Kings 10:22For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
Historical Context
Tarshish, most likely Tartessos in southern Spain, was famous in antiquity for mineral wealth, particularly silver and tin. The "Ships of Tarshish" became proverbial for long-distance commercial vessels (1 Kings 10:22). Archaeological evidence confirms extensive Phoenician mining and smelting operations in Spain from the 9th century BC onward. The tin trade was especially valuable as it was required for bronze (copper-tin alloy), and sources were scarce in the ancient Near East. Lead was used for weights, pipes, and construction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the accumulation of "all kinds of riches" from earth's extremities blind us to spiritual poverty?
- What are the modern equivalents of Tyre's global trading networks, and how might they fall in God's timing?
Analysis & Commentary
Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches (מֵרֹב כָּל־הוֹן, merov kol-hon)—Tarshish (likely Tartessos in southern Spain, the ancient world's western extremity) traded hon ("wealth/riches"), emphasizing abundance. With silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs (בְּכֶסֶף בַּרְזֶל בְּדִיל וְעוֹפֶרֶת, bekhesef barzel bedil ve'oferet)—four metals representing the complete spectrum from precious (silver) to base (lead). Tin (bedil) was especially critical for bronze-making, imported from distant sources. The Hebrew 'izabonayikh ("your fairs/markets") depicts organized commercial exchanges.
Tarshish symbolized the uttermost parts of the earth (Psalm 72:10, Isaiah 66:19). That even Spain's metals flowed to Tyre demonstrates global economic dominance—yet Jonah fled to Tarshish to escape God's presence (Jonah 1:3), illustrating that earth's farthest reaches cannot hide from divine judgment. Tyre's worldwide network makes its coming desolation more complete.