Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, traders played a significant role in the economic and social life of ancient societies. The Bible provides various references to traders, illustrating their activities, the goods they exchanged, and the moral and ethical considerations surrounding trade.
Old Testament ReferencesTraders are first mentioned in the context of the ancient Near Eastern world, where trade routes connected various civilizations.
Genesis 37:25 describes a caravan of Ishmaelite traders traveling from Gilead to Egypt, carrying spices, balm, and myrrh. This passage highlights the long-distance trade that was common in the region, with goods being transported across vast distances.
The book of Ezekiel provides a detailed account of the trading activities of the city of Tyre, a major commercial hub.
Ezekiel 27:12-24 lists the various goods exchanged by Tyre, including silver, iron, tin, lead, horses, ivory, and ebony. This passage underscores the diversity of trade and the extensive network of commerce that connected different peoples and regions.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe Bible addresses the moral and ethical dimensions of trade, emphasizing honesty and fairness.
Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse underscores the importance of integrity in trade practices, condemning deceit and fraud.
In the prophetic literature, traders are sometimes criticized for their unethical behavior.
Amos 8:5-6 condemns those who exploit the needy and manipulate the market for personal gain, saying, "When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat?—skimping the measure, boosting the price, and cheating with dishonest scales."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, traders are mentioned in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus' cleansing of the Temple, as recorded in
Matthew 21:12-13, highlights His condemnation of those who turned a place of worship into a "den of robbers." This act underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity of religious spaces and the need for ethical conduct in all areas of life.
The parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30 also touches on trade, as the servants are entrusted with their master's wealth to invest and trade. This parable illustrates the principles of stewardship and accountability, encouraging believers to use their resources wisely and productively.
Cultural and Economic ImpactTraders facilitated cultural exchange and economic development in biblical times. By connecting different regions, they contributed to the spread of ideas, technologies, and cultural practices. The goods they traded, such as spices, textiles, and metals, were essential for daily life and luxury.
The presence of traders in biblical narratives reflects the interconnectedness of ancient societies and the importance of commerce in sustaining communities. While the Bible acknowledges the necessity of trade, it consistently calls for ethical practices and warns against the moral pitfalls associated with greed and exploitation.
Strong's Hebrew
2271. chabbar -- associate, partner (in a trade)... 2270, 2271. chabbar. 2272 . associate, partner (in a trade). Transliteration:
chabbar Phonetic Spelling: (khab-bawr') Short Definition:
traders.
...7402. rakal -- probably to go about
... 7401, 7402. rakal. 7403 . probably to go about. Transliteration: rakal Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-kal') Short Definition:traders. Word Origin a prim....
3667b. kenaan -- a merchant
... Word Origin from kana Definition a merchant NASB Word Usage merchants (2),traders
(1), tradesmen (1). 3667a, 3667b. kenaan. 3668 . Strong's Numbers.
8446. tur -- to seek out, spy out, explore
... Word Usage explore (1), explored (1), explores (1), follow (1), guide (1), investigate
(1), seek (2), selected (1), spied (5), spy (6), spying (2),traders* (2...
376. ish -- man
... son* (1), steward* (1), swordsmen* (1), this one (1), this one and that one (1),
those (1), those who (3), tiller* (1), together* (1),traders* (2), tradition...
5503. sachar -- to go around or about, travel about
... NASB Word Usage commercial (1), customer (3), customers (2), merchant (1), merchants
(6), roving about (1), throbs (1), trade (3),traders (2), trafficked (1)....
Library
Traders for the Master
... EXPOSITIONS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE; ALEXANDER MACLAREN, DD, Litt. D.; ST. MATTHEW
Chaps. XVIII to XXVIIITRADERS FOR THE MASTER. 'For...
At the Dedication of a Church
... But alltraders must first be driven out of this Temple of God; that is all the
fancies and imaginations which are not really of God; and also all delight in...
The Cleansing of the Temple.
...Traders were not slow to supply this demand, and vying with one another they crept
nearer and nearer to the sacred precincts, until some, under pretence...
Slavery of Redemptioners.
... In Holland they were called "soul-traders." By means of stories of the fabulous
wealth acquired in America they enticed Germans and other emigrants into the...
"Jesus or Barabbas. "
... Caiaphas and Annas and the chief priests and rulers, and the council and thetraders
of the temple, and the witnesses accompanied the soldiers, who once more...
The Early Ministry in Judea
... In itself considered it was nothing more. In his expulsion of thetraders
he had the conscience of the people for his ally. There...
Jesus Drives Out the Money-Changers.
... I command it. Take what belongs to you and quit the holy place!". One of thetraders
exclaimed in terror: "Come, let us go, that his wrath destroy us not."....
Sermon for Palm Sunday
... Behold, dear children, all those aretraders who keep themselves from open sins,
and would fain be good people, and do their works to the glory of God, and...
Betrayed by a Kiss.
... Judas was there with Dathan and the othertraders, as well as the four
priests sent by Caiaphas to see that all things went well....
Jesus' Last Journey to Jerusalem.
... Then said thetraders, "Has he gone to Jerusalem?". "For the last time," said Judas,
"so he says.".... "Truly," said thetraders, "the lookout is bad."....
Thesaurus
Traders (31 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Traders (31 Occurrences). Matthew 25:9 But the
wise made answer, saying, There may not be enough for us
...Sheep-traders (1 Occurrence)
Sheep-traders. Sheep-skins, Sheep-traders. Sheer . Multi-Version
Concordance Sheep-traders (1 Occurrence). Zechariah...
Slave-traders (1 Occurrence)
Slave-traders. Slave's, Slave-traders. Slaving . Multi-Version
Concordance Slave-traders (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy 1...
Trader (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 23:2 Send out a cry of grief, you men of the sea-land,traders of Zidon,
who go over the sea, whose representatives are on great waters; (Root in BBE YLT...
Merchants (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:15 besides that which thetraders brought, and the traffic of the merchants,
and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the...
Traffic (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:15 reads: "Besides that which thetraders brought, and the traffic
of the merchants." This refers to the income of Solomon....
Governors (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:15 besides that which thetraders brought, and the traffic of the merchants,
and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the...
Gold-workers (2 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:31 After him Malchijah, one of the gold-workers to the Nethinim and the
traders, made good the wall opposite the doorway of Hammiphkad and as far as...
Traffickers (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 9:14 besides that which thetraders and merchants brought: and all
the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to...
Trafficker (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:15 reads: "Besides that which thetraders brought, and the traffic
of the merchants." This refers to the income of Solomon....
Resources
Who was Zebulun in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible condone slavery? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Dothan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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