Ezekiel 27:16-18

“Syria (Aram) was your merchant by reason of your plentiful handyworks,

They traded for your wares with emeralds, purple and embroidered work, and fine linen and coral and rubies.

Judah and the land of Israel, they were traders with you,

They traded for your merchandise, wheat of minnith, and pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.

Damascus was your merchant by reason of your plentiful handyworks,

By reason of the plentifulness of all kinds of riches, with the wine of Helbon and white wool.”

Having covered places to the west and north we now come to those east of Tyre. The mention of Damascus separately from Syria accentuates the deliberate absence of Jerusalem, which is no more. It would normally be mentioned spearately. Possibly Damascus was to be seen as partly taking Jerusalem's place tradewise. Note how its own riches are emphasised. It was rich at the expense of Jerusalem.

‘Wheat of minnith, and pannag.' We do not know what these specifically were but pannag may have been a kind of confection. Minnith was a place in Ammon (Judges 11:33) and possibly Judah/Israel handled their wheat trade.

‘Helbon' (fat, fruitful). Clearly famous for its wines. Probably Khalbun, twenty five kilometres north of Damascus.