Topical Bible: Commerce: Jews

◄ Commerce: Jews ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Commerce has been a significant aspect of Jewish life and culture throughout biblical history. The Jewish people, from the time of the patriarchs to the post-exilic period, engaged in various forms of trade and commerce, which played a crucial role in their economic and social development.

Patriarchal Period

The roots of Jewish commerce can be traced back to the patriarchal period. Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, was a wealthy man with numerous flocks, herds, and servants (Genesis 13:2). His wealth was partly due to his interactions and trade with surrounding peoples. Similarly, Jacob's dealings with Laban in Paddan Aram (Genesis 30:25-43) illustrate early forms of commerce, including livestock management and breeding.

Egyptian Sojourn and Exodus

During the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, they were primarily engaged in agriculture and livestock management. However, the Exodus marked a significant shift as they moved towards a more diverse economy. The spoils taken from the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35-36) provided the Israelites with resources that would later facilitate trade and commerce in the wilderness and the Promised Land.

Settlement in Canaan

Upon settling in Canaan, the Israelites encountered various Canaanite and Philistine cities that were centers of trade. The strategic location of Israel, at the crossroads of major trade routes between Egypt and Mesopotamia, made it a hub for commerce. The Israelites engaged in trade with neighboring nations, exchanging goods such as grain, wine, oil, and textiles.

Monarchical Period

The reigns of David and Solomon marked a golden age of commerce for Israel. King David established control over key trade routes, while Solomon expanded trade networks significantly. Solomon's alliance with Hiram, king of Tyre, facilitated the construction of a fleet of ships that traded with distant lands (1 Kings 10:22). The wealth generated from these ventures contributed to the prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, as described in 1 Kings 10:23-25 : "King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules."

Prophetic Writings

The prophets often addressed issues related to commerce, particularly the ethical dimensions of trade. Amos, for example, condemned the exploitation and dishonesty prevalent in the marketplaces (Amos 8:4-6). The prophets called for justice and righteousness in commercial dealings, emphasizing that economic practices should reflect the covenantal values of the community.

Exilic and Post-Exilic Periods

During the Babylonian exile, Jews continued to engage in commerce, adapting to their new environment. The exilic period saw the rise of Jewish communities in Babylon, which became centers of trade and learning. After the return from exile, Nehemiah and Ezra addressed economic challenges, including the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the restoration of fair trade practices (Nehemiah 5:1-13).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jewish commerce is evident in various contexts. Jesus' parables often reference economic activities, such as the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). The Gospels also record Jesus' cleansing of the temple, where He drove out merchants and money changers, emphasizing the sanctity of worship over commercial interests (Matthew 21:12-13).

The Apostle Paul, a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3), exemplifies the integration of commerce and ministry. His travels throughout the Roman Empire facilitated the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of Christian communities, often supported by his own labor.

Conclusion

Throughout biblical history, commerce has been an integral part of Jewish life, reflecting both the economic realities and the ethical imperatives of the covenant community. The biblical narrative provides a rich tapestry of commercial activity, highlighting the importance of integrity, justice, and stewardship in economic endeavors.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 27:17
Judah, and the land of Israel, they were your merchants: they traded in your market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Commerce
... But no sketch of commerce among the early Jews, however brief, would be complete
without some further notice both of the nature of the trade carried on, and of ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

Jews.
... the Great, of Poland, in the 14th century, received the Jews as refugees into ... asylum
in Holland, and, by their dexterity and success in commerce, became very ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... but this does not seem to have been the rule among the Palestinian Jews. ... and the
East made the people familiar with foreign luxury, while commerce supplied its ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

In Our Last Chapter we Sought to Show that in Rev. . .
... the prophet sees as "ephah" (or bath) which was the largest measure for dry goods
among the Jews. It would, therefore, be the natural symbol for Commerce. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in our last chapter we.htm

The Old Faiths and the New
... The commerce of the world flowed through its two harbours. The population consisted
of Greeks, Jews, Italians, and a mixed multitude; it was excitable ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study viii the old faiths.htm

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... In the Old Testament we see the Jews pent within the narrow limits of ... and betaken
themselves with extraordinary eagerness and success to commerce; and with ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

Early Life the Place of Paul +The Man
... He says, in making a speech to the Jews, "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born
in Tarsus ... A large commerce was controlled by the merchants, on sea and on land. ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study i early life the.htm

Religious and Social State.
... Babylon was content with the subjugation and deportation of the Jews, allowing them ...
no indication even of the beginnings of that trade and commerce which was ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/religious and social state 2.htm

Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original ...
... The Hellenistic Jews"those using the Greek language and conforming themselves to ...
the language of the masses in the great centres of commerce." Westcott in ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiv language of the.htm

The Work of Paul.
... Animated by this spirit, he became "as a Jew to the Jews, as a Gentile ... He followed
the current of history, commerce, and civilization, from East to West, from ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 32 the work of.htm