Lexical Summary chophesh: Freedom, liberty Original Word: חֹפֶשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance precious From chaphash; something spread loosely, i.e. A carpet -- precious. see HEBREW chaphash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chaphash Definition perhaps a spread NASB Translation saddlecloths* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֹ֫פֶשׁ noun [masculine] very dubious; only בִּגְדֵיתֹֿ֫פֶשׁ לְרִכְבָּה Ezekiel 27:20 wide-spread (?) garments for riding, i.e. saddle-cloths, according to Thes Sm Co Da and others; but meaning spread for √ purely conjectural; Gr suggests, plausibly, חֵ֫פֶץ (q. v.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery The term denotes a finely worked saddlecloth or riding blanket—an accessory placed beneath a rider to cushion, protect, and signal status. In an era when mounted travel symbolized power, military readiness, and commercial reach, such cloths conveyed both practical utility and conspicuous wealth. Occurrence in Scripture Ezekiel 27:20: “Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding.” The single occurrence situates the item within the prophet’s dirge over Tyre, a catalogue of global trade that magnifies the city’s former splendor before announcing its downfall. Historical Background Tyre dominated Mediterranean commerce during the late eighth and early seventh centuries B.C. The city’s brokers obtained merchandise from distant lands and redistributed it across imperial highways and sea-lanes. Dedan, located in north-western Arabia and famed for its camel caravans, supplied Tyre with coveted goods for mounted travel. Saddlecloths from this region were likely woven of dyed wool or embroidered linen, hardy enough for desert routes yet luxurious enough for royal processions. Cultural and Economic Significance 1. Mobility and Warfare: Mounted units increasingly shaped Near-Eastern warfare (2 Samuel 1:6; 1 Kings 10:29). A well-padded blanket reduced chafing during long campaigns, preserving the health of valuable horses. Prophetic and Theological Themes Ezekiel’s inventory underscores the breadth of Tyre’s riches, then contrasts that opulence with the certainty of divine judgment (Ezekiel 27:27). Saddlecloths, along with silver, ivory, and coral, illustrate how human pride trusts in commercial abundance rather than in the Lord. The fall of Tyre echoes later warnings: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Connections to Other Biblical Passages • Judges 5:10 portrays leaders “who ride on white donkeys, who sit on rich carpets,” revealing early use of decorated riding mats. Ministry Reflection Believers are reminded that material refinement—whether ancient saddlecloths or modern equivalents—cannot shield against the Lord’s searching gaze. Stewardship, not self-indulgence, must guide the use of resources entrusted by God. The single, humble appearance of this word therefore calls the church to examine how even incidental comforts can reveal deeper allegiances and to pursue contentment anchored in Christ (Hebrews 13:5). Forms and Transliterations חֹ֖פֶשׁ חפש Chofesh ḥō·p̄eš ḥōp̄ešLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 27:20 HEB: רֹֽכַלְתֵּ֔ךְ בְבִגְדֵי־ חֹ֖פֶשׁ לְרִכְבָּֽה׃ NAS: traded with you in saddlecloths for riding. KJV: [was] thy merchant in precious clothes INT: traded clothes precious riding 1 Occurrence |
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