Ezekiel 27:14 — Word Study
WLCמִבֵּ֖ית תּוֹגַרְמָ֑ה סוּסִ֤ים וּפָֽרָשִׁים֙ וּפְרָדִ֔ים נָתְנ֖וּ עִזְבוֹנָֽיִךְ׃
BSAThe men of Beth-togarmahbayith [the house of, from the region of, a territory likely known as Armenia] exchangednâthan■ [traded, brought to market] horsesçûwç [swallow, chariot horses] war horsespârâsh [horsemen, cavalry soldiers] and mulespered [the offspring of a horse and a donkey] for your waresʻizzâbôwn [merchandise, goods, merchandise, traded in a market]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מִבֵּ֖ית | from Beth | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| תּוֹגַרְמָ֑ה | Togarmah | Noun proper |
| סוּסִ֤ים | horses | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וּפָֽרָשִׁים֙ | and horsemen | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וּפְרָדִ֔ים | and mules | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| נָתְנ֖וּ | they exchanged | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| עִזְבוֹנָֽיִךְ׃ | wares your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The men of Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares. |
| KJV | They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules. |
| ASV | They of the house of Togarmah traded for thy wares with horses and war-horses and mules. |
| YLT | They of the house of Togarmah, [For] horses, and riding steeds, and mules, They have given out thy remnants. |
| WEB | “‘“They of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, war horses, and mules. |
| BBE | The people of Togarmah gave horses and war-horses and transport beasts for your goods. |
The translations agree on the use of עִזְבוֹן for 'wares' — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main clause with two subordinate phrases detailing the exchange and the goods involved.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָתַן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Ezekiel 27:14
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Commerce of Tyregenerated
Ezekiel 27:14 describes the trade activities of Tyre, a prominent city known for its commerce. The verse specifically mentions the men of Beth-togarmah, who engaged in the exchange of valuable goods such as horses and mules. This highlights the intricate trade networks that existed in the ancient Near East, reflecting the economic power of Tyre and its relationships with neighboring regions.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 38:6 | as well as Gomer with all its troops, and Beth-togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you. |
| 2 | Genesis 10:3 | The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 1:6 | The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עִזְבוֹן, iz.zavongenerated
The noun עִזְבוֹן (*izzabown*) refers to wares or goods, particularly those traded in a market. It is derived from a root meaning to let go or sell, indicating a connection to commerce and economic exchange.
In this verse, it signifies the merchandise that the men of Beth-togarmah received in exchange for their horses and mules, emphasizing the nature of trade in ancient times.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term wares.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb governing the verse is נָתְנ֖וּ, they exchanged, with a prepositional phrase indicating the subject, and three noun phrases detailing what was exchanged.
The structure emphasizes the act of exchange, with the goods clearly identified as the focus of the transaction.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עִזְבוֹן as σου, indicating a possessive form related to the wares. This choice reflects a direct connection to the goods being discussed, emphasizing ownership.
The Greek word θεργαμα corresponds to תּוֹגַרְמָ֑ה, suggesting a consistent understanding of the geographical and cultural context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 27:14 tells us that the men of Beth-togarmah traded horses, war horses, and mules for the goods of Tyre. This verse highlights the trade relationships that existed in the ancient world, showing how different regions exchanged valuable items.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The men of Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules, which were valuable for transportation and warfare.
They are associated with a region likely known as Armenia, descended from Togarmah, a son of Gomer.
Trade highlights the economic relationships between nations and the exchange of resources, which was vital for survival and prosperity in the ancient world.
It shows that Tyre was a significant trading hub, engaging in commerce with various regions and exchanging a variety of goods.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this verse reveal about the economic relationships in the ancient Near East?
- How can we see the importance of trade in our modern world?
- What other goods might have been valuable for trade in ancient times?
- How does understanding the context of trade enhance our reading of this passage?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 27:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey of the house of Togarmah,.... The Targum is, "they of the province or country of Germany.'' Jerom understands it of Phrygia, near to which was Cappadocia; and perhaps is here meant, since it
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 27 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules. They of the house of Togarmah - Armenia: descended from Gomer (Genesis 10:3).
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 27 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleOf the house; of the country. Togarmah; Armenia the Lesser, or Phrygia, Galatia, or Cappadocia, or Paphlagonia; all which countries, as they are neighbours to each other, so they abounded in horses; and as they had many for number, so they had good for quality, and furnished their neighbours; it is reported the Cappadocians paid two thousand horses yearly tribute to the Persians. And as they bordered on each other, it is likely they might be reckoned thus together. Horsemen; it is like with either many horses, or some choice ones, which they sold, they might sell their grooms, as best able to manage and keep those horses. Mules; the countries above mentioned, especially Cappadocia, had many…
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 27 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 27:14 They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.Ver. 14. They of the house of Togarmah,] i.e., The Germans, saith the Targum, who are still excellent horsemen. The Jews call the Turks the house of Togarmah.
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 27 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(14) Togarmah.—A name for the Armenians, a race of Japhetic descent (Genesis 10:3). They dealt from most ancient times in horses and asses.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 27 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 14. Togarmah] The Sarmatians. Some think Cappadocia. With these they dealt in horses, mules, and horsemen; or probably draught horses and war horses are intended.
Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 27 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14. house of Togarmah] Usually supposed to be Armenia or part of it. Togarmah lay in the extreme N. of the world known to the prophet, and the people appears in the army of Gog with other nations from the ends of the earth (ch. Ezekiel 38:6; cf. Genesis 10:2). Others think of Phrygia or Cappadocia. All these countries were noted for breeding horses. traded in thy fairs with horses] brought as thy wares, or, commodities, horses, &c. Horsemen can hardly have been an article of traffic; if the word be original war horses may be intended; 2 Samuel 1:6. The ancients did not use the horse for labour. LXX. omits mules, a somewhat similar word, and possibly (as Corn, conjectures) only two words…
Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 27 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible14. Togarmah — Most scholars locate it in Armenia, which was noted in the ancient world for its horses and mules. The Armenians are said to call themselves “the house of the Thorgom” (Orelli).
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 27 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The men of Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares.
“‘“They of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, war horses, and mules.
The men of Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares.
Beth Togarmah exchanged horses, chargers, and mules for your products.
Tyndale line
They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.
They of the house of Togarmah traded for thy wares with horses and war-horses and mules.
They of the house of Togarmah traded for thy wares with horses and war-horses and mules.
They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.
They of the house of Togarmah brought to thy faires horses, and horsemen, and mules.
Strictly literal
They of the house of Togarmah furnished thy markets with horses, and horsemen, and mules.
They of the house of Togarmah, [For] horses, and riding steeds, and mules, They have given out thy remnants.
Those of the house of Togarmah, || They have given horses, and riding steeds, and mules [for] your wares.
They of the family of Thogarmah furnished thy supplies in horses and horsemen and mules.
Beth Togarmah provided horses, stallions, and mules as your merchandise.
From the Latin
From the house of Thogorma they brought horses, and horsemen, and mules to thy market.
Simplified
People from Beth-togarmah traded horses, war horses, and mules for your goods.
The people of Togarmah gave horses and war-horses and transport beasts for your goods.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with six of the seven words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this verse across different textual traditions.
מִבֵּ֖ית תּוֹגַרְמָ֑ה סוּסִ֤ים וּפָֽרָשִׁים֙ וּפְרָדִ֔ים נָתְנ֖וּ עִזְבוֹנָֽיִךְ׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 27:14
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word בַּיִת (*bayith*) means 'house' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including dwelling, family, and place. It can refer to physical structures, such as homes and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like the body or household affairs. The word is built from the root related to 'between' and appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between
base
בַּ֫יִת 2034 n.m. house
house
place
receptacle
of house as containing a family
household, family (592 t.)
house, including household affairs
lit. housewards, hence metaph. inwards
מִבַּיִת
adv. on the inside
prep. within
base
H1004a בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between H1004b בַּ֫יִת house
1004 bayith bah'-yith
probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest
variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court,
daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as
would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold),
inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet,
temple, web, + within(-out).
see HEBREW for 01129
בֵּית (bet) — place.
nm
place, origin, between
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — house: home.
: home/temple/building
nm
1) house
1a) house, dwelling habitation
1b) shelter or abode of animals
1c) human bodies (fig.)
1d) of Sheol
1e) of abode of light and darkness
1f) of land of Ephraim
2) place
3) receptacle
4) home, house as containing a family
5) household, family
5a) those belonging to the same household
5b) family of descendants, descendants as organized body
6) household affairs
7) inwards (metaph.)
8) (TWOT) temple
adv
9) on the inside
prep
10) within
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(ashbea).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with ash.be.a (אַשְׁבֵּעַ "Ashbea" H0791)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth (Haggan).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with hag (גַּן "Haggan" H1588)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(togarmah).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
Beth
Occurs frequently as the appellation for a house, or dwelling-place, in such compounds as the words immediately following:
the most general word for a house or habitation. It has the special meaning of a temple or house of worship Beth is more frequently employed in compound names of places than any other word.
House, forms a part of many compounds names of places, and sometimes means the place or dwelling; and at others the temple. This word becomes Beit in modern Arabic.
תֹּגַרְמָה (Towgarmah) refers to a figure from the genealogy of Noah, specifically a son of Gomer, and is associated with a territory likely in southwestern Armenia. The name is interpreted as meaning 'thou wilt break her.' The entries consistently identify Togarmah as both a person and a region settled by his descendants.
תֹּגַרְמָה, תּוֹגַרְמָה n.pr.terr. it lay in (SW.) Armenia
base
H8425 תֹּגַרְמָה, תּוֹגַרְמָה
8425 Towgarmah to-gar-maw'
or Togarmah {to-gar-maw'}; probably of foreign derivation;
Togarmah, a son of Gomer and his posterity:--Togarmah.
תֹּגַרְמָה (to.gar.mah) — Togarmah.
A man of the Gomerians living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.3;
son of: Gomer (H1586);
brother of: Ashkenaz (H0813) and Riphath (H7384A)
§ Togarmah = "thou wilt break her"
1) son of Gomer, grandson of Japheth, and great grandson of Noah
n pr terr
2) territory settled by the descendants of Togarmah
2a) probably the area known as Armenia
תֹּגַרְמָה (to.gar.mah) — (Beth)-togarmah.
Combined with ba.yit (בַּ֫יִת ", Beth-" H1004I)
§ Togarmah = "thou wilt break her"
territory settled by the descendants of Togarmah
probably the area known as Armenia
HNpl — Noun properHNpl
to-gar'-ma (~togharmah]; Thorgama, Thergama, Thurgama, Thurgaba; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) Thorgoma):
1. Its Forms: A Suggested Identification:
The 3rd son of Gomer, and grandson of Japheth, his brothers being Ashkenaz and Riphath (Ge 10:3). The meaning of the name is doubtful. Grimm (Gesch. deutsch. Sprache, II, 325) suggests Sanskr. toka, "tribe," and arma = Armenia. Etymological and other difficulties stand in the way of French Delitzsch's identification of Togarmah with the Assyrian Til-garimmu, "hill of Garimmu," or, possibly, "of the bone-heap," a fortress of Melitene, on the borders of Tabal (Tubal).
2. Probably Armenia or a Tract Connected Therewith:
In Eze 27:14 Togarmah is mentioned after Tubal, Javan and Mesech as supplying horses and mules to the…
Togarmah
(1.) A son of Gomer, and grandson of Japheth (Gen. 10:3).
(2.) A nation which traded in horses and mules at the fairs of Tyre (Ezek. 27:14; 38:6); probably an Armenian or a Scythian race; descendants of (1).
a son of Gomer, of the family of Japheth, and brother of Ashkenaz and Riphath. (Genesis 10:3) His descendants became a people engaged in agriculture, breeding horses and mules to be sold in Tyre. (Ezekiel 27:14) They were also a military people, well skilled in the use of arms. Togarmah was probably the ancient name of Armenia.
סוּס (sus) refers to both a 'swallow' and a 'horse,' derived from a root meaning to skip or leap. The word captures the swift nature of both the bird and the animal, often associated with chariot horses in the context of the Old Testament. There is a note in the entries about a comparison with another Hebrew word, but no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
סוּס n.[m.] swallow or swift
base
סוּס 138 n.m. horse
base
H5483a סוּס swallow or swift H5483b סוּס horse
5483 cuwc soos
or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly,
for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid
flight):--crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compare 6571.
see HEBREW for 06571
סוּס (sus) — swallow.
swallow, swift
סוּס (sus) — Horse (Gate).
This name means horse
סוּס (sus) — horse.
1) horse
1a) chariot horses
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
Were anciently less used for labor, in Bible land, than oxen and asses. They were used by princes and warriors, both with and without chariots, Ex 14:9,23 Es 6:8 Ec 10:7. The finest description of the war-horse ever written is found in one of the most ancient books, Job 39:19-25. Horses were common in Egypt, Ge 47:17 50:9 So 1:9; but the Jews were at first forbidden to go there for them, De 17:16, or the keep any large number, Jos 11:6
פָּרָשׁ (parash) refers to a horse or steed, specifically one used for pulling a vehicle rather than for riding. It can also denote a horseman or cavalry. The word is built from the root meaning to stretch out, indicating its use in a chariot context.
[פָּרָשׁ] n.[m.] horse, steed
base
פָּרָשׁ n.m. horseman
base
H6571a פָּרָשׁ horse, steed H6571b פָּרָשׁ horseman
6571 parash paw-rawsh'
from 6567; a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single
nor for mounting (compare 5483)); also (by implication) a
driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively)
cavalry:--horseman.
see HEBREW for 06567
see HEBREW for 05483
פָּרָשׁ (pa.rash) — horse.
horse, steed, warhorse
פָּרָשׁ (pa.rash) — horseman.
horseman
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Ncmpa
פֶּ֫רֶד (pered) refers to a mule, derived from the root word for a solitary creature. The entries consistently identify it as a noun without significant variation in meaning.
פֶּ֫רֶד n.m. mule
base
H6505 פֶּ֫רֶד mule
6505 pered peh'-red
from 6504; a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits):--mule.
see HEBREW for 06504
פֶּ֫רֶד (pe.red) — mule.
mule
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Ncmpa
The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set
Qal 1917
give
Put, set
Make, constitute
Niph.
82be given
Be put, set
Hoph.
be given, bestowed
= be given to one for wife
be put upon
base
H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give
. Put, set
. Make, constitute
. . be given
. Be put, set
. . . be given, bestowed
. = be given to one for wife
. be put upon
5414 nathan naw-than'
a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of
application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,
assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,
hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +
cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X
without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),
grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),
(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,
occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X
pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send
(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,
strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,
turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)
God, yield.
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.
: give/deliver/send/produce
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
1a3) to make, constitute
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
1c2) to be put upon
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.
: put/set/apppoint
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
עִזָּבוֹן (izzabown) refers to wares or goods, particularly those that remain with the purchaser after a transaction. It is derived from the root meaning to let go or sell, indicating a connection to trade and commerce. The term is noted in the plural form, suggesting a range of items rather than a single good.
[עִזָּבוֹן] n.[m.] only pl. wares (as left in the purchaser’s hand)
base
H5801 עִזָּבוֹן
5801 `izzabown iz-zaw-bone'
from 5800 in the sense of letting go (for a price, i.e.
selling); trade, i.e. the place (mart) or the payment
(revenue):--fair, ware.
see HEBREW for 05800
עִזָּבוֹן (iz.za.von) — ware.
wares, goods
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2fs