What is the meaning of Ezekiel 27:22?

The merchants of Sheba and Raamah

Sheba and Raamah were flourishing Arabian kingdoms known for caravan trade (Genesis 10:7; 1 Kings 10:1–2). Their merchants were not mythical figures but real, wealthy traders who traveled long desert routes to seaports such as Tyre. Isaiah 60:6 later pictures these same peoples bringing gifts to Zion, confirming their historic role in commerce.

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traded with you

“You” is Tyre, the Phoenician city-state described in the larger oracle of Ezekiel 27. Tyre’s harbors drew merchants from every direction (compare Ezekiel 27:3, 25). The verse underscores how far-reaching Tyre’s economic influence was—stretching deep into Arabia.

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for your wares

Tyre’s “wares” included purple dye, fine linen, cedar, ivory, and every luxury the Mediterranean world desired (see Ezekiel 27:3–24). The city’s ships acted like ancient shipping containers, accepting exotic products and redistributing them throughout the region.

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they exchanged gold

Arabian mines and panning streams produced significant quantities of gold (Job 28:1–2). When Queen Sheba visited Solomon she brought “120 talents of gold” (1 Kings 10:10). That same commodity now flows to Tyre, proving the literal prosperity of these kingdoms.

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the finest of all spices

Frankincense, myrrh, and cinnamon were harvested on the Arabian peninsula (Song of Songs 4:14; Exodus 30:23–24). Matthew 2:11 shows these spices retained value even a millennium later. Their mention highlights how luxury goods, not just necessities, filled Tyre’s markets.

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and precious stones

Gemstones such as onyx, agate, and beryl moved along caravan routes from Arabia and possibly India (1 Chronicles 29:2; Revelation 21:19–20). Tyre’s jewelers would cut and set these stones, multiplying their worth before re-export.

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summary

Ezekiel 27:22 shows Tyre at the height of global commerce: real Arabian traders from Sheba and Raamah brought literal gold, elite spices, and rare gems in exchange for Tyre’s coveted merchandise. The verse demonstrates the fulfillment of God’s earlier words about Tyre’s wealth (Ezekiel 27:3), setting the stage for the severe judgment that follows. It reminds readers that earthly riches, no matter how vast, cannot shield a nation from divine accountability.