Ezekiel Chapter 27 · Verse 13
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.
Original Language Analysis
יָוָ֤ן
Javan
H3120
יָוָ֤ן
Javan
Strong's:
H3120
Word #:
1 of 11
javan, the name of a son of joktan, and of the race (ionians, i.e., greeks) descended from him, with their territory; also of a place in arabia
וָמֶ֔שֶׁךְ
and Meshech
H4902
וָמֶ֔שֶׁךְ
and Meshech
Strong's:
H4902
Word #:
3 of 11
meshek, a son of japheth, and the people descended from him
בְּנֶ֤פֶשׁ
the persons
H5315
בְּנֶ֤פֶשׁ
the persons
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אָדָם֙
of men
H120
אָדָם֙
of men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
7 of 11
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וּכְלֵ֣י
and vessels
H3627
וּכְלֵ֣י
and vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
8 of 11
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
נְחֹ֔שֶׁת
of brass
H5178
נְחֹ֔שֶׁת
of brass
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
9 of 11
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
Cross References
Genesis 10:2The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.Isaiah 66:19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.Revelation 18:13And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.1 Chronicles 1:5The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.Ezekiel 39:1Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:Joel 3:3And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.Ezekiel 32:26There is Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living.
Historical Context
The ancient slave trade was extensive, with prisoners of war, kidnap victims, and debt slaves comprising major commodity flows. Javan (Ionian Greeks) were known slave traders, mentioned in Joel 3:6 as buying Judean captives from Phoenicians. Tubal and Meshech appear together throughout Scripture (Genesis 10:2, Ezekiel 38:2-3), regions in eastern Asia Minor known for metalworking and slave supply. Archaeological evidence from Greek and Phoenician sites confirms extensive slave markets. Bronze vessels from these regions were highly prized for quality.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern economic systems trade in "souls of men" through exploitation, trafficking, or dehumanizing labor practices?
- How does pairing human trafficking with ordinary commerce (bronze vessels) normalize evil—and how should Christians respond?
Analysis & Commentary
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass (בְּנֶפֶשׁ אָדָם וּכְלֵי נְחֹשֶׁת, benefesh adam ukheli nechoshet)—the horror: nefesh adam ("souls of men") were merchandise, traded alongside bronze vessels! Javan (Ionia/Greece), Tubal and Meshech (regions in Asia Minor, modern Turkey) supplied the slave trade. The casual pairing of human souls with metal objects reveals the dehumanizing logic of commerce divorced from God's image-bearing dignity (Genesis 1:27).
This indictment exposes Tyre's moral bankruptcy beneath commercial success. God's law prohibited kidnapping for slavery (Exodus 21:16, Deuteronomy 24:7), and the prophets consistently condemned slave trading (Amos 1:6, 9; Joel 3:6). Revelation 18:13 lists "slaves and souls of men" among Babylon's merchandise, showing that end-times commercial empire repeats Tyre's sin. Economic systems that commodify humans invite divine destruction.