Lexical Summary Chelbon: Helbon Original Word: חֶלְבּוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Helbah From cheleb; fruitful; Chelbon, a place in Syria -- Helbah. see HEBREW cheleb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as cheleb Definition a place in Aram (Syria) NASB Translation Helbon (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֶלְבּוֺן proper name, of a location place whence wine came (to Tyre) ׳יֵין ח Ezekiel 27:18; so also Assyrian proper name, of a territory –ilbunim or Hilbunu, see SchrCOT and Dl in Co. Modern –albûn, northwest from Damascus, WetzstZMG xi. 1857, 490 f. BdPal 341. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Chelbon (transliterated “Helbon” in English versions) designates a locality celebrated for its vineyards in the region north-west of Damascus, nestled in the eastern slopes of the Anti-Lebanon range. Its elevated terraces, cool nights, and limestone soil produced a distinctive, full-bodied vintage prized in antiquity. Historical Background Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian tablets list the wine of Chelbon among tribute items, and classical writers such as Strabo describe “Chalybonian wine” served at the Persian court. These extra-biblical notices corroborate Ezekiel’s snapshot of a bustling, multinational marketplace in the seventh and sixth centuries BC, when Phoenician merchants sourced luxury goods from every corner of the Near East. Biblical Usage Chelbon appears once, in Ezekiel’s dirge over Tyre: “Damascus was also your customer because of your abundant goods and your many riches, trading with you the wine of Helbon and wool of Sahar.” (Ezekiel 27:18) Within the prophet’s catalogue of Tyre’s trading partners, Chelbon’s wine stands beside precious metals, ivory, and purple cloth, signifying both quality and economic importance. Trade and Commerce 1. Premium Status: While many wines circulated, Chelbon’s was distinct enough to be a named commodity. Its mention among luxury exports underscores the affluence of Tyre’s clientele and the interconnectedness of Syro-Phoenician trade routes. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Fleeting Splendor: Chelbon’s renowned vintage, once poured in royal courts, vanished with Tyre’s destruction. The passing of material glory illustrates Psalm 103:15-16: “As for man, his days are like grass… the wind passes over it, and it is gone.” Typological Insights 1. Covenant Symbolism: Wine later becomes the emblem of the New Covenant in Christ’s blood (Matthew 26:27-29). The contrast between Chelbon’s perishable wine and the imperishable cup of salvation accentuates Hebrews 8:6—“a better covenant, established on better promises.” Contemporary Relevance • Discipleship and Wealth: Like Tyre, modern believers navigate global commerce. Chelbon urges stewardship: use God-given resources for kingdom purposes, not self-exaltation (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Chelbon’s solitary biblical appearance, therefore, opens a window onto ancient economics, prophetic theology, and practical discipleship, reminding the church that every bottle, balance sheet, and bargaining table ultimately belongs to the Lord of glory. Forms and Transliterations חֶלְבּ֖וֹן חלבון chelBon ḥel·bō·wn ḥelbōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 27:18 HEB: ה֑וֹן בְּיֵ֥ין חֶלְבּ֖וֹן וְצֶ֥מֶר צָֽחַר׃ NAS: because of the wine of Helbon and white KJV: in the wine of Helbon, and white INT: wealth of the wine of Helbon wool and white 1 Occurrence |