Definition and Role in Biblical Times:

Merchantmen, or traders, played a significant role in the economic and social life of the ancient Near East, including the regions described in the Bible. These individuals were responsible for the exchange of goods, both locally and internationally, facilitating trade routes that connected various cultures and economies. Merchantmen were often seen traveling in caravans or by sea, dealing in commodities such as spices, textiles, metals, and other valuable items.

Biblical References:

The Bible provides several references to merchantmen, highlighting their activities and the goods they traded. In Genesis 37:25-28, we encounter a group of Ishmaelite merchantmen traveling from Gilead to Egypt with camels carrying spices, balm, and myrrh. This passage illustrates the role of merchantmen in the account of Joseph, as his brothers sold him to these traders: "As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm, and myrrh, and they were on their way down to Egypt" (Genesis 37:25).

In Ezekiel 27, the prophet Ezekiel provides a detailed account of the wealth and trade of Tyre, a prominent city known for its commerce. The chapter lists various nations and the goods they traded with Tyre, emphasizing the city's reliance on merchantmen for its prosperity. Ezekiel 27:12 states, "Tarshish was your trading partner because of your abundant wealth of every kind; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise" .

Cultural and Economic Impact:

Merchantmen were instrumental in the spread of goods, ideas, and cultural practices across different regions. Their activities contributed to the economic prosperity of cities and nations, as seen in the example of Tyre. The presence of merchantmen also facilitated the exchange of knowledge and technology, influencing the development of societies.

The Bible often uses the imagery of merchantmen to convey spiritual truths. In Proverbs 31:14, the virtuous woman is compared to merchant ships: "She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar" . This comparison highlights her industriousness and ability to provide for her household through diligent effort and wise management.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

While merchantmen were essential for economic growth, the Bible also warns against the potential moral pitfalls associated with trade and commerce. In the New Testament, Jesus cleanses the temple, driving out those who were buying and selling, saying, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers'" (Matthew 21:13). This act underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and righteousness in all aspects of life, including business dealings.

Furthermore, the Bible cautions against the love of money and material wealth, which can lead to spiritual downfall. In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul writes, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" . This serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual values over material gain.

Conclusion:

The role of merchantmen in biblical times was multifaceted, encompassing economic, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. Through their activities, they contributed to the prosperity and interconnectedness of ancient societies, while also serving as a backdrop for important moral and spiritual teachings in the Scriptures.(n.) Plural of Merchantman.

The Merchantmen in the Temple
... CHAPTER XVI THE MERCHANTMEN IN THE TEMPLE. ... "The merchantmen are all cleared away,
when the truth is known, for the truth needs no exchange and barter. ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xvi the merchantmen in.htm

Again on the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 28, "Come unto Me, all ...
... To what storms and tempests, to what a fearful and tremendous raging of sky and
sea, do the busy merchantmen expose themselves, that they may acquire riches ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xx again on the.htm

The Evil one Wailed "Where Now, is There a Place for Me to Flee to ...
... 2. The bones that merchantmen carried, or was it then that they carried him? For
lo! they made gain each of the other. But for me what did they profit me? ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xlii the evil one.htm

With Freedom is Thy Struggle, O Evil One: it Can Cast on Thee a ...
... received."10. S., A new coinage do I coin, in kingly wise: lo! my merchantmen
bring loss, into the world."11. God created everything ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lvi with freedom is.htm

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph
out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph
out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

The Best Merchandise.
... "Many forms of worship, [1113] then, having passed away in the world, we come, bringing
to you, as good merchantmen, the worship that has been handed down to ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter viii the best merchandise.htm

Thou who Answerest to the Name of Abraham, in that Thou Art Made ...
... heart she opened to the Scriptures. With thee then may her profit be manifold!
R., Blessed be He Who has magnified her merchantmen! ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xix thou who answerest.htm

Letter Lxxix. To Salvina.
... [2410] On like typical camels the Ishmaelitish merchantmen [2411] bring down to
the Egyptians perfume and incense and balm (of the kind that grows in Gilead ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxix to salvina.htm

The Story of Joseph
... It was a terrible fate, and he might well have become sullen and hopeless in
the strange land of Egypt to which the merchantmen took him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

Merchantmen (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Merchantman. Multi-Version Concordance
Merchantmen (2 Occurrences). Genesis 37:28 Then there ...
/m/merchantmen.htm - 7k

Commerce (3 Occurrences)
... Companies or caravans carrying on this overland commerce are seen in Genesis
37:25, 28, "Ishmaelites" and "Midianites, merchantmen," on their way to Egypt ...
/c/commerce.htm - 15k

Merchants (34 Occurrences)

/m/merchants.htm - 16k

Navy (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A fleet of ships; an assemblage of
merchantmen, or so many as sail in company. 2. (n.) The whole ...
/n/navy.htm - 8k

Ish'maelites (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:28 And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted
up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty ...
/i/ish'maelites.htm - 8k

Midian (60 Occurrences)
... The Midianites next appear as merchantmen traveling from Gilead to Egypt, with
"spicery and balm and myrrh," with no prejudice against a turn of slave-dealing ...
/m/midian.htm - 32k

Mid'ianite (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:28 And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted
up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty ...
/m/mid'ianite.htm - 8k

Midianites (30 Occurrences)
... The Midianites next appear as merchantmen traveling from Gilead to Egypt, with
"spicery and balm and myrrh," with no prejudice against a turn of slave-dealing ...
/m/midianites.htm - 21k

Merchantman

/m/merchantman.htm - 6k

Silverlings (24 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:28 And Midianite merchantmen pass by and they draw out and bring up Joseph
out of the pit, and sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silverlings ...
/s/silverlings.htm - 14k

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