{f} Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded {g} in the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.

(f) Of Greece, Italy and Cappadocia.

(g) By selling slaves.

Wesley's Notes

27:13 Javan - The Grecians, particularly the Ionians. Tubal - The Asiatic Iberians, and the Albanians toward the Caspian sea. Meshech - The Cappadocians. They traded - Brought men to sell for slaves.

King James Translators' Notes

market: or, merchandise

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. Javan-the Ionians or Greeks: for the Ionians of Asia Minor were the first Greeks with whom the Asiatics came in contact.

Tubal . Meshech-the Tibareni and Moschi, in the mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas.

persons of men-that is, as slaves. So the Turkish harems are supplied with female slaves from Circassia and Georgia.

vessels-all kinds of articles. Superior weapons are still manufactured in the Caucasus region.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

27:1-25 Those who live at ease are to be lamented, if they are not prepared for trouble. Let none reckon themselves beautified, any further than they are sanctified. The account of the trade of Tyre intimates, that God's eye is upon men when employed in worldly business. Not only when at church, praying and hearing, but when in markets and fairs, buying and selling. In all our dealings we should keep a conscience void of offence. God, as the common Father of mankind, makes one country abound in one commodity, and another in another, serviceable to the necessity or to the comfort and ornament of human life. See what a blessing trade and merchandise are to mankind, when followed in the fear of God. Besides necessaries, an abundance of things are made valuable only by custom; yet God allows us to use them. But when riches increase, men are apt to set their hearts upon them, and forget the Lord, who gives power to get wealth.