Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "shop" as understood in modern terms was not prevalent. However, the Bible does provide insights into the commercial activities and marketplaces that served similar functions in ancient societies. These were places where goods were crafted, bought, and sold, and they played a significant role in the daily life and economy of the people.
Biblical ContextThe Bible often refers to markets and trading activities, which were central to the economic life of ancient Israel and surrounding regions. While the term "shop" is not explicitly used in most translations, the activities associated with shops are evident in various passages.
Craftsmanship and TradeCraftsmanship was highly valued in biblical times, and skilled artisans often worked in specific areas or stalls within a marketplace. For example, in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, skilled craftsmen were employed to create intricate designs and furnishings.
Exodus 31:3-5 highlights the role of Bezalel, who was filled with the Spirit of God, "with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft."
MarketplacesMarketplaces were the hubs of commercial activity, where people gathered to buy and sell goods. These markets were often located at city gates or central areas, making them accessible to both locals and travelers. In
Nehemiah 13:15-16 , the prophet Nehemiah observes the commercial activities on the Sabbath, saying, "In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath, bringing in grain, loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of goods. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem."
Commerce and EthicsThe Bible provides guidance on ethical behavior in commerce, emphasizing honesty and fairness.
Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This reflects the importance of integrity in trade, a principle that would have been upheld in any shop or marketplace setting.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, Jesus' cleansing of the temple is a significant event that underscores the tension between commerce and worship. In
John 2:14-16 , Jesus finds people selling oxen, sheep, and doves in the temple courts, as well as money changers seated at their tables. He drives them out, saying, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!"
Cultural and Historical InsightsShops in ancient times were often small, family-run businesses. They might have been simple stalls or booths set up in a marketplace or along a busy street. The goods sold varied widely, from food and textiles to pottery and metalwork. The economic life of a community was closely tied to these commercial activities, and they were integral to the social fabric of the time.
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention "shops" as we know them today, it provides a rich tapestry of references to the commercial practices and ethical considerations that would have been associated with such establishments in ancient times.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v.) imp. of Shape.
2. (n.) A building or an apartment in which goods, wares, drugs, etc., are sold by retail.
3. (n.) A building in which mechanics or artisans work; as, a shoe shop; a car shop.
4. (v. i.) To visit shops for the purpose of purchasing goods.
Greek
3111. makellon -- a meat market... a meat market, food market. Of Latin origin (macellum); a butcher's stall, meat
market or provision-
shop -- shambles. (makello) -- 1 Occurrence. 3110, 3111.
...Library
The Following Books to be had at theShop of John Bryce, Printer...
... The following BOOKS to be had at theShop of JOHN BRYCE, Printer and Bookseller,
opposite Gibson's-Wynd, Salt-market. BOOKS IN OCTAVO....
The Master's Touch.
... One morning a number of years ago in London a group of people had gathered in a
small auctionshop for an advertised sale of fine old antiques and curios....
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... with Sir George Villiers, I complied, and in less than twenty-four hours, namely,
on the evening of last Saturday, an alguacil arrived at theshop with the...
There's More of God Since Jesus Went Back.
... to care for the younger children, then off down the narrow street, with a cheery
word to passers-by, to the little low-ceilinged carpentershop, for"eight...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... You are aware that I have established in Madrid ashop, or despacho, as it is here
called, for the sale of Testaments, and you are doubtless anxious to receive...
It was the Fifth Anniversary of that Resolution of the Senate...
... They left the litter and entered a largeshop.... Theshop had filled with people,
who tried to cover their curiosity by the purchase of trifles....
When Diamond Went Home to Breakfast, He Found his Father and...
... friends with an old woman who kept a toyshop, for his mother had given him twopence
for pocket-money before he left, and he had gone into hershop to spend it...
With the Rev. William Burns
... After tea and further rest, we would go with our native helpers to some tea-shop,
where several hours might be spent in free conversation with the people....
Seeking Richly Rewarded
... among whom I dwell"to my master and my mistress, and my fellow-servants?" He becomes
a tradesman on his own account, and when he opens thatshop-door he says...
Special Efforts
... tried when Salvationists thought their well-equipped hall too good for drunkards'
raids, and none the less when soldiers considered any poorshop good enough...
Thesaurus
Shop (1 Occurrence)... 3. (n.) A building in which mechanics or artisans work; as, a shoe
shop;
a car
shop.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Shop (1 Occurrence).
...Buying (12 Occurrences)
... karah, laqach, qena', qanah, shabhar; agorazo, oneomai, emporeuomai): I. IN THE
EARLIEST PERIODS AND AMONG NOMADS 1. The Primitive Stage (the "Shop") 2. In Old...
Tally (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally; as, to make or earn a
tally in a game. 5. (n.) A tallyshop. See Tallyshop, below....
Shoots (32 Occurrences)
Zarephath (4 Occurrences)
... Smelting-shop, "a workshop for the refining and smelting of metals", a small Phoenician
town, now Surafend, about a mile from the coast, almost midway on the...
Lumber (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A pawnbroker'sshop, or room for storing
articles put in pawn; hence, a pledge, or pawn. 2. (n...
Fuller (5 Occurrences)
... Among them were white clay, putrid urine, and the ashes of certain desert plants
(Arabic qali, Biblical "soap"; Malachi 3:2). The fuller'sshop was usually...
Foreman (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The chief of a set of hands employed in ashop, or on works of any kind,
who superintends the rest; an overseer. Multi-Version Concordance...
Forge (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A place or establishment where iron or other metals are wrought by heating
and hammering; especially, a furnace, or ashop with its furnace, etc...
Tin (6 Occurrences)
... The writer has some slag dug from a deposit near Beirut which yielded nearly pure
tin. It was probably the site of an ancient smelter'sshop. Alfred Ely Day....
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