Page 136 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

130 NOTES ON EZEKIEL.

ships in verse 25. In these early days Tarshish seems
to have given its name to vessels that sailed anywhere,
at any rate, on long voyages, pretty much like our own
term “ East Indiamen.” “ Tarshish was thy merchant
by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with
silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.” In
vei'se 13 we have quite a different class of merchandise.
“ Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants:
they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in
thy market.” Here we stretch to the far east from the
west. Then in verse 14 we have north Armenia.
“ They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs
with horses and horsemen and mules.” Then we come
down to the south. 6X The men of Dedan were thy
merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine
hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory
and ebony.” Next we come to Syria (if this be the
reading, for fifteen MSS read Edom) which traded
with Tyre with emeralds (or carbuncles), purple em­
broidery, fine linen (or cotton) and coral and ruby.
Then we have the connection of Tyre with Judah
and the land of Israel. “ They were thy merchants,
they traded in the market wheat of Minnith and Pannag,
and honey and oil and balm.” Damascus seems to have
bought Tyrian wares and to have given in return wine
of Helbon (or Aleppo) and white wool.
Verse 19 appears to put together peculiarly Dan and
Javan from “ Usal” (translated in our Authorized
Version, a going to and fro”). It seems contrary to
analogy that the copulative should begin the verse.
Some therefore, instead of translating it u Dan also,”
say “ Dedan and Javan.” Others decide for Aden.