Ezekiel 27:21
Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
and all the princes
H5387
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
and all the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
קֵדָ֔ר
of Kedar
H6938
קֵדָ֔ר
of Kedar
Strong's:
H6938
Word #:
4 of 12
kedar, a son of ishmael; also (collectively) bedouin (as his descendants or representatives)
סֹחֲרָֽיִךְ׃
in these were they thy merchants
H5503
סֹחֲרָֽיִךְ׃
in these were they thy merchants
Strong's:
H5503
Word #:
6 of 12
to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate
יָדֵ֑ךְ
with thee
H3027
יָדֵ֑ךְ
with thee
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בְּכָרִ֤ים
in lambs
H3733
בְּכָרִ֤ים
in lambs
Strong's:
H3733
Word #:
8 of 12
a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)
וְאֵילִים֙
and rams
H352
וְאֵילִים֙
and rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
Cross References
Isaiah 60:7All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.Genesis 25:13And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
Historical Context
Kedar dominated the Arabian peninsula from the 8th-6th centuries BC, mentioned in Assyrian inscriptions as fierce warriors and traders. Their black goat-hair tents were famous (Song of Solomon 1:5). Kedar's livestock trade with Tyre would have supplied animals for both food and religious sacrifices in the polytheistic temples of Phoenicia. The Nabataeans later displaced Kedar's commercial dominance.
Questions for Reflection
- How can the same resources (like Kedar's flocks) serve either God's glory or human pride depending on our motivations?
- What gifts or talents do you possess that could be redirected from self-serving pursuits to worshipful service of God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats (כָּרִים וְאֵילִים וְעַתּוּדִים, karim ve'elim ve'attudim)—Kedar was a powerful Bedouin confederation descended from Ishmael (Genesis 25:13), controlling the Arabian desert trade routes. The three categories of livestock represent graduated quality and value: karim (young lambs for meat), elim (mature rams for breeding and sacrifice), and attudim (male goats, leaders of flocks).
Isaiah prophesied that Kedar's flocks would one day come to Jerusalem to honor Yahweh (Isaiah 60:7), transforming mere commercial exchange into worship. Here in Ezekiel, however, these same flocks serve Tyre's prideful self-glorification. The identical goods can serve either God's glory or human vanity—the critical difference lies in the heart's direction.