Ezekiel 27:21
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Ezekiel 27:21
21 Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants.
Chapter Context
Ezekiel 27 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, discipleship, wisdom. Written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-570 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ministered to exiles in Babylon with visions of God's glory and future restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-36: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it contributes to the biblical metanarrative of redemption. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Ezekiel and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Ezekiel 27:21
21 Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Genesis 25:13, Isaiah 60:7