Sells
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In the context of the Bible, the concept of "selling" is often associated with transactions, exchanges, and the moral implications of such actions. The act of selling is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both literal and metaphorical meanings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, selling is frequently mentioned in the context of trade and commerce, which were integral to the ancient Near Eastern economy. For example, in Genesis 25:33, Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a meal, illustrating a momentous decision with lasting consequences: "But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob" . This transaction highlights the spiritual and familial implications of selling something of great value for immediate gratification.

The Mosaic Law also addresses the concept of selling, particularly in relation to property and servitude. Leviticus 25:23-24 states, "The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and sojourners with Me. Thus for every piece of property you possess, you must provide for the redemption of the land" . This underscores the belief that the land ultimately belongs to God, and any sale should consider the provision for redemption, reflecting a divine order and care for the community.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, selling is often discussed in the context of wealth and discipleship. Jesus addresses the moral and spiritual dimensions of selling and wealth in several passages. In Matthew 19:21, Jesus advises the rich young ruler, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me" . This directive emphasizes the call to prioritize spiritual wealth over material possessions and to follow Christ wholeheartedly.

The early Christian community also practiced the selling of possessions for communal benefit, as seen in Acts 4:34-35: "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need" . This practice reflects the early church's commitment to mutual support and the sharing of resources.

Metaphorical and Spiritual Implications

Beyond literal transactions, the Bible uses the concept of selling metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. In Revelation 3:18, Jesus counsels the church in Laodicea, "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich; white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see" . Here, the act of buying and selling is used to illustrate the acquisition of spiritual riches and insight, contrasting worldly wealth with eternal values.

The Bible also warns against the selling of one's integrity or soul for worldly gain. In Matthew 16:26, Jesus poses the rhetorical question, "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" . This underscores the eternal significance of one's spiritual state over temporal success or possessions.

Conclusion

The concept of selling in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from practical economic transactions to profound spiritual lessons. It serves as a reminder of the values and priorities that should guide believers in their interactions and decisions, emphasizing the importance of integrity, community, and eternal perspective.
Greek
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 - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
4376. makar -- to sell
... Word Usage certainly sell (1), destruction (1), make (1), merchants (1), offer
yourselves for sale (1), sell (23), seller (3), selling (1), sells (8), sold (40 ...
/hebrew/4376.htm - 6k

7666. shabar -- to buy grain
... Word Origin denominative verb from sheber Definition to buy grain NASB Word Usage
bought (1), buy (12), buy grain (2), sell (3), sells (1), sold (2). buy, sell. ...
/hebrew/7666.htm - 6k

Library

Sells Out at Alexandria. Moves to Crittenden. Preaches There and ...
... PART I."AUTOBIOGRAPHY. CHAPTER XII. Sells Out at Alexandria. Moves to Crittenden. ...
Visits Mount Byrd. Sells Out at Alexandria. Moves to Crittenden. ...
/.../chapter xii sells out at.htm

Organizes a Church at Deland. Health Improves. Relapses. Starts ...
... Relapses. Starts Home. Resignation. Sells His Interest in the Guide. Begins Writing
again. ... Resignation. Sells His Interest in the Guide. Begins Writing again. ...
/.../chapter xviii organizes a church.htm

Whether, in Trading, it is Lawful to Sell a Thing at a Higher ...
... This is especially the case where a man sells something at a higher price
without its undergoing any change. For if he sells at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in trading it is.htm

Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel
... Gratitude. CHAPTER XII. Sells Out at Alexandria. Moves to Crittenden. ... Starts Home.
Resignation. Sells His Interest in the Guide. Begins Writing again. ...
/.../allen/autobiography of frank g allen minister of the gospel/

The Field and the Treasure Interpreted.
... to the field, and separately as to the treasure hidden in it, and in what way the
man who has found this hidden treasure goes away with joy and sells all that ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/5 the field and the.htm

Of the Places of Burial.
... the Glosses, to bury men of the same family here and there, scatteringly, and by
themselves, but altogether in one cave: whence, if any one sells his neighbour ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 100 of the places.htm

Talking in Salesmanship
... in the art of salesmanship. One man says much, and sells little; another
says little, and sells much. The reason for the superior ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/talking in salesmanship.htm

Whether the Seller is Bound to State the Defects of the Thing Sold ...
... nothing off the price on that account"-danger, if this defect either hinder the
use of the goods or render it hurtful, for instance, if a man sells a lame ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the seller is bound.htm

John Chapter ii. 21-Dec
... Therefore, my brethren, just as you see them that sell, common chapmen, each
cries up what he sells: how many stalls they have set up! ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate x john chapter ii.htm

Of Removing Tithes.
... If a man breeds or buys barren unprofitable cattle and sells them, he shall pay
for the agistment; but, if he depastures his land with his cattle, used in ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/8 of removing tithes.htm

Thesaurus
Sells (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sells (14 Occurrences). ... In his joy, he goes and sells
all that he has, and buys that field. (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV). ...
/s/sells.htm - 10k

Sell (58 Occurrences)
... (vi) To be sold; as, corn sells at a good price. ... Exodus 21:7 "If a man sells his
daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do. ...
/s/sell.htm - 26k

Sold (92 Occurrences)
... which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has,
and buys that field. (See NIV). Matthew 13:46 who having ...
/s/sold.htm - 35k

Redeem (56 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:25 "'If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions,
then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his ...
/r/redeem.htm - 25k

Countrymen (60 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:25 "'If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions,
then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his ...
/c/countrymen.htm - 26k

Countryman (19 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:25 "'If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions,
then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his ...
/c/countryman.htm - 13k

Grown (77 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:39 "'If your brother has grown poor among you, and sells himself
to you; you shall not make him to serve as a slave. (WEB). ...
/g/grown.htm - 30k

Selvedge (2 Occurrences)

/s/selvedge.htm - 8k

Selling (23 Occurrences)

/s/selling.htm - 13k

Becomes (138 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:25 "'If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions,
then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his ...
/b/becomes.htm - 34k

Resources
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about restitution? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian work where alcohol and tobacco are sold? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Sells (14 Occurrences)

Matthew 13:44
"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV)

Exodus 21:7
"If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 21:16
"Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 22:1
"If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it, or sells it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 25:25
"'If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions, then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his brother has sold.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Leviticus 25:29
"'If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it has been sold. For a full year he shall have the right of redemption.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 25:39
"'If your brother has grown poor among you, and sells himself to you; you shall not make him to serve as a slave.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 25:47
"'If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner living among you, or to a member of the stranger's family;
(WEB RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 15:12
If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, and serves you six years; then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and he deal with him as a slave, and sell him; then that thief shall die; so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Ruth 4:3
And he said to him that had the right of redemption: Naomi, who is come back out of the country of Moab, sells the allotment that was our brother Elimelech's.
(DBY)

Proverbs 11:26
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
(WEB NAS RSV)

Proverbs 31:24
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Nahum 3:4
because of the multitude of the prostitution of the alluring prostitute, the mistress of witchcraft, who sells nations through her prostitution, and families through her witchcraft.
(WEB NAS)

Subtopics

Sells

Related Terms

Uttermost (48 Occurrences)

Selves (14 Occurrences)

Sells (14 Occurrences)

Listing (1 Occurrence)

List (17 Occurrences)

Extremity (46 Occurrences)

Selling into Servitude
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