(6) Unto the Grecians.--Javan, the Hebrew name for Greece, is mentioned in Ezekiel as one of the representatives of the heathen nations who "traded (with Tyre) the persons of men and vessels in her market" (Ezekiel 27:13). The Grecian traffic in slaves was enormous.

3:1-8 The restoration of the Jews, and the final victory of true religion over all opposers, appear to be here foretold. The contempt and scorn with which the Jews have often been treated as a people, and the little value set upon them, are noticed. None ever hardened his heart against God or his church, and prospered long.The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem,.... Not children in age literally, as Kimchi, kidnapped or bought by the Tyrians; but the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem:

have ye sold unto the Grecians; or sons of Javan; it was one part of the merchandise of Tyre to trade in the persons of men; and Javan, or the Greeks, with others, were their merchants for them, Ezekiel 27:13; and the souls of men are a part of the trade of the merchants of Rome, typified by the Tyrians, Revelation 18:13;

that ye might remove them far from their border; from their own land, or place of dwelling, that so they might not be easily redeemed, and return to it any more. Rome, the antichristian Tyre, trading with the souls of men, is to their eternal damnation, as much as in them lies. Cocceius interprets this of the children of the church being trained up in the doctrine of Aristotle, in the times of the schoolmen.