Definition: Syria [was] thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezekiel 27:16. It’s a really strange and complex passage, and it’s often misinterpreted! Here’s the explanation in plain language: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a group of people – likely merchants – who were working in a marketplace (a “fair”) in Syria, and they were actively involved in selling goods. They weren't just passively buying and selling; they were focused on creating beautiful, expensive items like emeralds, purple fabrics, coral jewelry, and agate stones. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Ezekiel 27:16 Syria…” : This tells us the verse comes from a specific book in the Bible – Ezekiel – which was written by a prophet who lived around 180 AD. It's about a place called Syria, a region in modern-day Turkey. “…thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making…” : This is the key part. “Thy” refers to King Ezechiel. He’s saying that these merchants were working for and responsible for the entire marketplace. The "multitude of the wares" means they were selling a HUGE variety of items – lots of different kinds of things. “…they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work…” : This describes what they were actually doing: They were actively selling these beautiful items at a marketplace. “Fairs” is like a big market or festival. The words "emeralds," "purple," and "broidered work" all point to expensive, colorful textiles – fabrics that cost a lot of money. “and fine linen, and coral, and agate.” : These are just examples of the kinds of goods they were selling. “Fine linen” means luxurious fabric; “coral” is a type of gemstone; and "agate" is another beautiful stone. So, what's the big picture? This verse paints a picture of a very unusual and potentially unsettling situation. It suggests that people in ancient times – and perhaps even today – could be involved in selling goods with a strong focus on creating luxurious, expensive items. It’s a little strange and touches on themes of vanity, greed, and potentially, hidden or unethical practices. Important Note: The text is incredibly symbolic and open to interpretation. It's often used as an example of how people can be motivated by pride or desire for wealth, even when it goes against what is right. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the historical context surrounding Ezekiel 27:16? Explore a specific interpretation of the verse (e.g., its connection to vanity)?