Ezekiel 27:22
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁבָא֙
of Sheba
H7614
שְׁבָא֙
of Sheba
Strong's:
H7614
Word #:
2 of 14
sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an ethiopian district
וְרַעְמָ֔ה
and Raamah
H7484
וְרַעְמָ֔ה
and Raamah
Strong's:
H7484
Word #:
3 of 14
ramah, the name of a grandson of ham, and of a place (perhaps founded by him)
בְּרֹ֨אשׁ
with chief
H7218
בְּרֹ֨אשׁ
with chief
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
6 of 14
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֹּ֜שֶׂם
of all spices
H1314
בֹּ֜שֶׂם
of all spices
Strong's:
H1314
Word #:
8 of 14
fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְקָרָה֙
and with all precious
H3368
יְקָרָה֙
and with all precious
Strong's:
H3368
Word #:
11 of 14
valuable (objectively or subjectively)
וְזָהָ֔ב
and gold
H2091
וְזָהָ֔ב
and gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
12 of 14
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Cross References
Genesis 10:7And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.Isaiah 60:6The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
Historical Context
The South Arabian kingdoms (Sheba, Raamah) monopolized the incense trade for centuries, growing fabulously wealthy. Archaeological excavations at Timna (Yemen) confirm extensive frankincense production. A camel caravan from Sheba to Tyre would take 3-4 months, making spices extraordinarily valuable. The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon (1 Kings 10) demonstrates these ancient commercial ties between Arabia and the Levant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the connection between Sheba's trade goods and the wise men's gifts to Jesus transform your understanding of commerce as potentially pointing toward worship?
- What "treasures" in your life—whether material or spiritual—are you hoarding for yourself rather than offering to Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah... occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold (רֹאשׁ כָּל־בֹּשֶׂם וּבְכָל־אֶבֶן יְקָרָה וְזָהָב, rosh kol-bosem uvekol-even yeqarah vezahav)—Sheba (modern Yemen) and Raamah (possibly near modern Najran, Saudi Arabia) controlled the fabled incense route. The Hebrew rosh kol-bosem means "the chief/best of all spices"—frankincense and myrrh, worth their weight in gold. These are the same gifts the wise men brought to Christ (Matthew 2:11), connecting ancient commerce to messianic worship.
Even yeqarah (precious stones) and zahav (gold) echo Eden's description (Genesis 2:11-12) and foreshadow the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:18-21). Tyre accumulated paradise's treasures but lacked paradise's righteousness. Material wealth without spiritual truth produces only judgment.