Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of "import" primarily refers to the act of bringing goods or commodities into a country or region from another. This practice was essential for the economic and cultural development of ancient societies, including those mentioned in the Bible. The importation of goods facilitated trade, influenced cultural exchanges, and played a significant role in the daily lives of the people.
Biblical References to Import1.
Trade and Commerce: The Bible provides numerous examples of trade and the importation of goods. Solomon's reign is particularly noted for its extensive trade networks. In
1 Kings 10:22 , it is recorded, "For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks." This passage highlights the importation of luxury items and exotic goods, which were symbols of wealth and prosperity.
2.
Materials for Construction: The importation of materials was crucial for significant building projects, such as the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. In
1 Kings 5:10-11 , it is noted, "So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted, and Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty thousand baths of pure olive oil. Solomon did this for Hiram year after year." This exchange underscores the importance of imported materials in fulfilling God's plans for His people.
3.
Cultural and Religious Influence: The importation of goods often brought with it cultural and religious influences. While trade could lead to prosperity, it also posed spiritual challenges. In
Nehemiah 13:16 , we read, "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 itself!" This passage illustrates the tension between economic activity and religious observance, as the importation of goods on the Sabbath was seen as a violation of the law.
4.
Prophetic Warnings: The prophets often warned against the dangers of relying too heavily on foreign imports and alliances. In
Isaiah 2:6-7 , the prophet laments, "For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east; they are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they clasp hands with the children of foreigners. Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots." Here, the importation of foreign goods and practices is linked to spiritual decline and idolatry.
Economic and Spiritual ImplicationsThe importation of goods in biblical times had both economic and spiritual implications. Economically, it allowed for the exchange of resources and the enrichment of societies. However, it also brought challenges, particularly when foreign influences threatened to lead the Israelites away from their covenant with God. The Bible often emphasizes the need for discernment in trade and the importance of maintaining faithfulness to God's commandments amidst the influx of foreign goods and ideas.
ConclusionThe concept of import in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing economic prosperity, cultural exchange, and spiritual challenges. Through the narratives and teachings found in Scripture, believers are reminded of the importance of balancing material wealth with spiritual integrity, ensuring that trade and commerce do not lead to compromise in their relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To bring in from abroad; to introduce from without; especially, to bring (wares or merchandise) into a place or country from a foreign country, in the transactions of commerce; -- opposed to export. We import teas from China, coffee from Brazil, etc.
2. (v. t.) To carry or include, as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify.
3. (v. t.) To be of importance or consequence to; to have a bearing on; to concern.
4. (v. i.) To signify; to purport; to be of moment.
5. (n.) Merchandise imported, or brought into a country from without its boundaries; -- generally in the plural, opposed to exports.
6. (n.) That which a word, phrase, or document contains as its signification or intention or interpretation of a word, action, event, and the like.
7. (n.) Importance; weight; consequence.
Greek
1537. ek -- from, from out of... Often used in composition, with the same general
import; often of completion. (ek) --
680 Occurrences. (ex) -- 247 Occurrences. 1536, 1537. ek or ex. 1538
...1909. epi -- on, upon
... In compounds it retains essentially the sameimport, at, upon, etc. (literally or
figuratively). (ep) -- 145 Occurrences. (epi) -- 663 Occurrences....
1519. eis -- to or into (indicating the point reached or entered...
... Often used in composition with the same generalimport, but only with verbs (etc.)
Expressing motion (literally or figuratively). (eis) -- 1865 Occurrences....
1722. en -- in, on, at, by, with
... Often used in compounds, with substantially the sameimport; rarely with verbs of
motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a...
Strong's Hebrew
4161. motsa -- a place or act of going forth, issue, export...... place or act of going forth, issue, export, source, spring NASB Word Usage east
(1), exits (3), fountains (1), going (2), going forth (1),
import (1), imported
...Library
Import of the Title Son of Man, as Used by Christ Himself...
... KING. Section 59.Import of the Title Son of Man, as used by Christ
himself"Rejection of Alexandrian and other Analogies. Christ...
Import of the Title Son of God.
... KING. Section 60.Import of the Title Son of God. (1.) John's Sense of
the Title accordant with that of the other Evangelists. We...
Import of the Great Commission.
... CHAPTER VII.IMPORT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION. The Founder of the church was
a missionary. The church is a missionary band, professedly...
The Change of Water into Wine. --Character andImport of The
... CHAPTER III. JESUS AT CANA. Section 116. The Change of Water into Wine."Character
andImport of the. Miracle."Little Impression made upon the People....
The Phenomena at the Baptism, and theirImport.
... CHAPTER II. RELATION OF THE BAPTIST TO MESSIAH. Section 42. The Phenomena
at the Baptism, and theirImport. (1.) No Ecstatic Vision...
Christ's Salutation of Peace; ItsImport. (John, xiv. , 27, Seq. )
... CHAPTER III. CHRIST'S LAST DISCOURSES WITH HIS DISCIPLES. Section 275. Christ's
Salutation of Peace; itsImport. (John, xiv., 27, seq.)....
Forms of Prayer. --The Lord's Prayer; Its Occasion andImport....
... Section 139. Forms of Prayer."The Lord's Prayer; its Occasion andImport.
"Encouragements to Prayer; God gives no Stone for Bread....
Choice of the Seventy. (Luke, X. ) --Import of the Number "Seventy...
... CHAPTER XII. CHRIST'S RETURN FROM CAPERNAUM TO JERUSALEM THROUGH SAMARIA. Section
203. Choice of the Seventy. (Luke, x.)"Import of the Number "Seventy."....
Whether the Name "Word" Imports Relation to Creatures?
... Objection 1: It would seem that the name 'Word' does notimport relation to
creatures.... Therefore Word does notimport relation to creatures....
The Divine Commands which are Most Suited to the Will Itself...
... Freedom. What is theimport of the fact that in so many passages God requires
all His commandments to be kept and fulfilled? How...
Thesaurus
Import (2 Occurrences)... We
import teas from China, coffee from Brazil, etc. 2. (vt) To carry or include,
as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify.
...Import (2 Occurrences).
...Sound (1245 Occurrences)
... 23. (vi) To make or convey a certain impression, or to have a certainimport, when
heard; hence, to seem; to... 29. (vt) To signify; toimport; to denote. Int....
Eternal (166 Occurrences)
... ETERNAL. e-tur'-nal (`olam; aionios, from aion): The word "eternal" is of
very varyingimport, both in the Scriptures and out of them....
Persian (4 Occurrences)
... etc. These are mostly of religiousimport.... Vata). So are many words of religious
import, as Soma (Haoma), Mantra (Mathra), Hotra (Zaotar)....
Year (4027 Occurrences)
... We should, indeed, diminish theimport of this institution if we should apply it
only to those who were to be freed from the bonds of physical servitude....
Value (138 Occurrences)
... anything. 3. (n.) Precise signification;import; as, the value of a word;
the value of a legal instrument. 4. (n.) Esteem; regard....
Jachin (8 Occurrences)
... Each was eighteen cubits high and twelve in circumference (Jeremiah 52:21, 23;
1 Kings 7:17-21). They had doubtless a symbolicalimport. Int....
Laws (184 Occurrences)
... the sixth year." The principle on which the manna had been provided for Sabbaths
was to apply to the harvest of the sixth year, and this is theimport of the...
General (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Not restrained or limited to a preciseimport; not specific; vague; indefinite;
lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression....
Galatia (6 Occurrences)
... These questions have not merely geographicalimport; they bear most closely, and
exercise determining influence, on many points in the biography, chronology...
Resources
What is Pauline Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgAre mono-ethnic churches, churches that focus on a specific race or ethnic group, following a biblical model? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I find joy in the midst of trials? | GotQuestions.orgImport: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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