The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand (אִיִּים רַבִּים סֹחֲרֵי יָדֵךְ, iyyim rabbim socharei yadekh)—Dedan (northwest Arabia, descended from Abraham through Keturah, Genesis 25:3) controlled Arabian trade routes. The phrase "many isles" (iyyim rabbim) likely means "coastlands" or "distant shores" rather than literal islands, emphasizing geographic extent. They brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony (בְּקַרְנוֹת שֵׁן וְהָבְנִים, beqarnot shen vehavnim)—qarnot shen ("horns of tooth," i.e., elephant tusks) and hovnim (ebony wood) were luxury goods from Africa/India. The term "present" (eshkar) can mean tribute, suggesting vassal-like economic submission to Tyre.
These exotic luxuries—ivory for decorative inlay, ebony for fine furniture—represent consumer culture at its peak. Yet God values simple obedience over ornate offerings (1 Samuel 15:22). Solomon's throne had ivory (1 Kings 10:18), but led to spiritual compromise. Tyre's judgment warns that economic empires built on luxury consumption will be stripped bare (Revelation 18:12-14).
Historical Context
Dedan was a major Arabian trading center controlling caravan routes from southern Arabia and East Africa. Archaeological discoveries at Dedan (modern Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia) confirm its commercial importance. Ivory came primarily from African and Indian elephants, highly prized throughout the ancient world for decorative art. Ebony (likely from tropical Africa or India) was rare and valuable for fine woodworking. The tribute-trade relationship suggests Tyre's economic dominance created quasi-imperial relationships without formal political control. By Ezekiel's time (586 BC), Tyre's commercial network extended from Arabia to the African coast.
Questions for Reflection
How does luxury consumption (ancient ivory/ebony, modern equivalents) exploit distant peoples and resources while feeding pride?
What is the difference between enjoying God's gifts and building identity/status on exotic luxuries?
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Analysis & Commentary
The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand (אִיִּים רַבִּים סֹחֲרֵי יָדֵךְ, iyyim rabbim socharei yadekh)—Dedan (northwest Arabia, descended from Abraham through Keturah, Genesis 25:3) controlled Arabian trade routes. The phrase "many isles" (iyyim rabbim) likely means "coastlands" or "distant shores" rather than literal islands, emphasizing geographic extent. They brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony (בְּקַרְנוֹת שֵׁן וְהָבְנִים, beqarnot shen vehavnim)—qarnot shen ("horns of tooth," i.e., elephant tusks) and hovnim (ebony wood) were luxury goods from Africa/India. The term "present" (eshkar) can mean tribute, suggesting vassal-like economic submission to Tyre.
These exotic luxuries—ivory for decorative inlay, ebony for fine furniture—represent consumer culture at its peak. Yet God values simple obedience over ornate offerings (1 Samuel 15:22). Solomon's throne had ivory (1 Kings 10:18), but led to spiritual compromise. Tyre's judgment warns that economic empires built on luxury consumption will be stripped bare (Revelation 18:12-14).