In the context of the Bible, the term "dealers" generally refers to individuals engaged in trade or commerce. The role and perception of dealers in biblical times can be gleaned from various passages that highlight their activities, ethical considerations, and societal impact.

Old Testament References

Dealers, often referred to as merchants or traders, played a significant role in the economic life of ancient Israel and surrounding nations. The Old Testament provides several references to their activities. For instance, in the book of Genesis, Joseph is sold to a caravan of Ishmaelite traders (Genesis 37:28), indicating the presence of trade routes and the movement of goods and people.

The book of Proverbs offers wisdom concerning fair trade and honest dealings. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This highlights the importance of integrity in commerce, a principle that dealers were expected to uphold.

In Ezekiel 27, the prophet laments over the fall of Tyre, a city renowned for its trade and merchants. Ezekiel 27:12 mentions, "Tarshish was your trading partner because of your abundant wealth of every kind; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise." This passage illustrates the extensive network of trade and the wealth generated by dealers in ancient times.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the presence of dealers is evident in the marketplaces and economic activities of the time. Jesus' cleansing of the temple is a notable event involving dealers. In John 2:14-16 , Jesus finds people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, 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!" This act underscores the tension between commercial activities and spiritual devotion.

The parable of the pearl of great value in Matthew 13:45-46 also involves a dealer: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it." This parable uses the figure of a dealer to illustrate the value of the kingdom of heaven and the sacrifices one should be willing to make to obtain it.

Ethical Considerations

The Bible consistently emphasizes ethical conduct in trade. Dealers are admonished to practice honesty and fairness. 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."

The biblical narrative often contrasts righteous dealers with those who exploit or deceive. Amos 8:5 criticizes those who say, "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." Such practices are condemned as they exploit the vulnerable and undermine social justice.

Cultural and Historical Context

Dealers in biblical times operated within a complex economic system that included local markets, long-distance trade routes, and various forms of currency and barter. They were essential for the distribution of goods, including food, textiles, metals, and luxury items. The prosperity of cities like Tyre and Babylon was largely due to their strategic positions as trade hubs.

The Bible's treatment of dealers reflects broader themes of justice, integrity, and the proper use of wealth. While commerce is recognized as a necessary and valuable part of society, it is also subject to moral scrutiny. The biblical call for honest dealings serves as a timeless reminder of the ethical responsibilities that accompany economic activities.4453. poleo -- to exchange or barter, to sell
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition to exchange or barter, to sell NASB Word
Usage dealers (1), sell (7), selling (8), sells (1), sold (5). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4453.htm - 7k6148. arab -- to take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange
... associate (2), became surety (1), become guarantors (1), become surety (1), becomes
(1), becomes surety (2), dare to risk (1), deal (1), dealers (1), guarantor ...
/hebrew/6148.htm - 6k

Let These Dealers in Crowns Then Recognize in the Meantime the ...
... Chapter VII. Let these dealers in crowns then recognize in the meantime
the authority of Nature? Let these dealers in crowns then ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter vii let these dealers.htm

For, to Begin with what is Important, what Advantage is it to the ...
... What, that there are dealers in salt fish, salters, fishmongers, perfumers, goldsmiths,
bird-catchers, weavers of winnowing fans and baskets of rushes? ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/38 for to begin with.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... There were not only cattle-dealers and sellers of pigeons, but also money-changers;
for every Jew had to pay to the Temple treasury an annual tax of half a ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

Buying the Truth
... Now all the dealers, when they saw these strange pilgrims come into the fair began
to cry, as shopmen will do, "Buy, buy, buy"buy this, and buy that." There ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/buying the truth.htm

Buying the Truth
... Now all the dealers, when they saw these strange pilgrims come into the fair, began
to cry as shopmen will do, "Buy, buy, buy"buy this, and buy that." There ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/buying the truth.htm

Jesus Drives Out the Money-Changers.
... chattering throng. There were baskets with pigeons for sale as sacrifices.
There were the tables of the dealers. Buying and selling ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter i jesus drives out.htm

On Helping the Poor.
... VI. Now the bishop ought to know whose oblations he ought to receive, and whose
he ought not. For he is to avoid corrupt dealers, and not receive their gifts. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on helping the poor.htm

John ii. 11
... But on going up to Jerusalem, what did He, a deed full of high authority; for He
cast out of the Temple those dealers and money changers, and those who sold ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiii john ii 11.htm

Against Men who Embellish Themselves.
... out not hairs, but lusts. I pity the boys possessed by the slave-dealers,
that are decked for dishonour. But they are not treated ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii against men who embellish.htm

Slavery
... They were carefully inspected by the dealers, who looked at their teeth, felt their
muscles, made them run and walk"with loads and without"to satisfy ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 2 slavery.htm

Dealers (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dealers (16 Occurrences). ... Luke 19:45 Then Jesus entered
the Temple and proceeded to drive out the dealers. (WEY). ...
/d/dealers.htm - 11k

Pigeon-dealers (3 Occurrences)
Pigeon-dealers. Pigeon, Pigeon-dealers. Pigeons . Multi-Version
Concordance Pigeon-dealers (3 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/p/pigeon-dealers.htm - 7k

Slave-dealers (1 Occurrence)
Slave-dealers. Slave, Slave-dealers. Slave-girl . Multi-Version
Concordance Slave-dealers (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy ...
/s/slave-dealers.htm - 6k

Pigeons (14 Occurrences)
... 21:12 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling there,
and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon-dealers...
/p/pigeons.htm - 11k

Treachery (18 Occurrences)
... And I say, 'Leanness 'is' to me, Leanness 'is' to me, wo 'is' to me.' Treacherous
dealers dealt treacherously, Yea, treachery, treacherous dealers dealt ...
/t/treachery.htm - 12k

Money-changers (5 Occurrences)
... 21:12 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling there,
and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon-dealers...
/m/money-changers.htm - 9k

Buying (12 Occurrences)
... On the left are the dealers in copper utensils, busily plying their trade; next
to them the makers of sieves and riddles; then comes a large space filled with ...
/b/buying.htm - 23k

Leanness (4 Occurrences)
... the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous
dealers have dealt very treacherously. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/l/leanness.htm - 7k

Entering (124 Occurrences)
... 21:12 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling there,
and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon-dealers...
/e/entering.htm - 37k

Skirt (16 Occurrences)
... And I say, 'Leanness 'is' to me, Leanness 'is' to me, wo 'is' to me.' Treacherous
dealers dealt treacherously, Yea, treachery, treacherous dealers dealt ...
/s/skirt.htm - 13k

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