Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of prices is closely tied to the economic practices, trade, and social justice principles of ancient Israel and the surrounding cultures. Prices in the Bible are often discussed in terms of fairness, honesty, and the moral implications of economic transactions.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament provides various insights into the economic life of ancient Israel, where prices were determined by factors such as supply and demand, the value of goods, and the ethical standards set by the Law.
Leviticus 19:35-36 commands, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This passage underscores the importance of honesty in trade and the setting of prices.
The concept of fair pricing is also evident in the laws concerning the Year of Jubilee, where land was to be returned to its original owners, and prices were adjusted based on the number of years until the next Jubilee (
Leviticus 25:14-16). This ensured that economic transactions were equitable and prevented the permanent loss of family inheritance due to financial hardship.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the focus shifts to the ethical and spiritual dimensions of economic behavior. Jesus' teachings often highlight the dangers of greed and the moral responsibility of wealth. In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (
Matthew 20:1-16), Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven through a landowner who pays his workers the same wage regardless of the hours worked, challenging conventional notions of fairness and emphasizing divine generosity.
The early Christian community also grappled with issues of economic justice.
Acts 4:34-35 describes how believers sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to anyone in need, reflecting a communal approach to resources and a departure from strict market-driven pricing.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThroughout the Bible, the setting of prices is not merely an economic activity but a reflection of one's moral and ethical stance.
Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This highlights the divine expectation for integrity in all economic dealings.
The prophets frequently condemned the exploitation of the poor through unjust pricing and economic practices.
Amos 8:4-6 warns against those who "trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land," criticizing those who manipulate prices to their advantage.
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on prices is deeply intertwined with themes of justice, honesty, and community responsibility. The Scriptures call for fair and equitable economic practices that reflect God's character and concern for all people, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized.
Library
The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes...
... THE UNJUST STEWARD - DIVES AND LAZARUS - JEWISH AGRICULTURAL NOTES -PRICES OF PRODUCE -
WRITING AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS - PURPLE AND FINE LINEN - JEWISH NOTIONS...
From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning...
... was deeply in debt, and could not therefore, from its own resources, print and
circulate the books for Sunday schools, and tracts, at as lowprices as they...
Preface.
... THE BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASSOCIATION. (DL MOODY, PRESIDENT.). Was founded
for the purpose of issuing good sound Christian literature at lowprices....
His Life
... LETTERS. Styles andprices uniform with "His Life.". HIS GREAT APOSTLE.... ORDER.
Styles andprices uniform with "His Life.". HIS LAST WEEK....
Withholding Corn
... system of free trade has nearly put an end to that kind of thing, there are doubtless
some who would again withhold their corn, even at famineprices, if they...
Acts iv. 36, 37
... "They sold them," it is written, "and brought theprices, and laid them down
at the Apostles' feet." (Recapitulation. iv.34-37.) See...
Gambling, Card-Playing
... brawn; in the counting-room over the price of stocks; in the racing tournament over
jockeying and speed; in the Board of Trade hall over futureprices of the...
Commerce
... They appointed regular inspectors, whose duty it was to go from market to market,
and, more than that, to fix the current marketprices (Baba B.88)....
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... In the meantime let me beg and pray that you will send Bibles, Bibles, Bibles
of all sizes andprices, and in all languages to Madrid....
The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the...
... all kindreds, and tongues, and all nations" (v.7). In the third seal he is viewed
as the Food-controller, weighing out the necessities of life at famineprices...
Thesaurus
Prices (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Prices (3 Occurrences).
... And they reckoned up the
prices of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. (DBY YLT).
...Prick (2 Occurrences)
Nain (1 Occurrence)
... evil days. It is said that the villagers received such goodprices for
simsum that they cultivated it on a large scale. A sudden...
Up (25836 Occurrences)
... insurrection, or the like; -- used with verbs of rest, situation, condition, and
the like; as, to be up on a hill; the lid of the box was up;prices are up....
Goods (231 Occurrences)
... believed were together, and had all things common," and (Acts 4:34) "as many as
were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought theprices of the...
Gaining (17 Occurrences)
... and he ate. (See NIV). Psalms 44:12 Thou sellest Thy people for small gain,
and hast not set theirprices high. (See NIV). Proverbs 3...
Weak (102 Occurrences)
... monarch; a weak government or state. 20. (vi) Tending towards lowerprices;
as, a weak market. 21. (vi) Pertaining to, or designating...
Inflated (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (a.) Hollow and distended, as a perianth, corolla, nectary, or pericarp. 5.
(a.) Distended or enlarged fictitiously; as, inflatedprices, etc....
Rule (291 Occurrences)
... 21. (vi) To keep within a (certain) range for a time; to be in general, or as
a rule; as,prices ruled lower yesterday than the day before....
Rally (3 Occurrences)
... consciousness; to recuperate. 4. (vi) To recover strength after a decline
inprices; -- said of the market, stocks, etc. 5. (n.) The...
Resources
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