Topical Bible: Traders

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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 References

Traders 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 Considerations

The 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 Context

In 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 Impact

Traders 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. ...
/hebrew/2271.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/7402.htm - 6k

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.
/hebrew/3667b.htm - 5k

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 ...
/hebrew/8446.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/376.htm - 7k

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). ...
/hebrew/5503.htm - 6k

Library

Traders for the Master
... EXPOSITIONS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE; ALEXANDER MACLAREN, DD, Litt. D.; ST. MATTHEW
Chaps. XVIII to XXVIII TRADERS FOR THE MASTER. 'For ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/traders for the master.htm

At the Dedication of a Church
... But all traders 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 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxvi at the dedication.htm

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 ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

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 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/slavery of redemptioners.htm

"Jesus or Barabbas. "
... Caiaphas and Annas and the chief priests and rulers, and the council and the traders
of the temple, and the witnesses accompanied the soldiers, who once more ...
/.../stead/king of the jews/chapter viii jesus or barabbas.htm

The Early Ministry in Judea
... In itself considered it was nothing more. In his expulsion of the traders
he had the conscience of the people for his ally. There ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii the early ministry in.htm

Jesus Drives Out the Money-Changers.
... I command it. Take what belongs to you and quit the holy place!". One of the traders
exclaimed in terror: "Come, let us go, that his wrath destroy us not.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter i jesus drives out.htm

Sermon for Palm Sunday
... Behold, dear children, all those are traders who keep themselves from open sins,
and would fain be good people, and do their works to the glory of God, and ...
/.../xiii sermon for palm sunday.htm

Betrayed by a Kiss.
... Judas was there with Dathan and the other traders, as well as the four
priests sent by Caiaphas to see that all things went well. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter iv betrayed by a.htm

Jesus' Last Journey to Jerusalem.
... Then said the traders, "Has he gone to Jerusalem?". "For the last time," said Judas,
"so he says.". ... "Truly," said the traders, "the lookout is bad.". ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter ii jesus last journey.htm

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 ...
/t/traders.htm - 15k

Sheep-traders (1 Occurrence)
Sheep-traders. Sheep-skins, Sheep-traders. Sheer . Multi-Version
Concordance Sheep-traders (1 Occurrence). Zechariah ...
/s/sheep-traders.htm - 6k

Slave-traders (1 Occurrence)
Slave-traders. Slave's, Slave-traders. Slaving . Multi-Version
Concordance Slave-traders (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy 1 ...
/s/slave-traders.htm - 6k

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 ...
/t/trader.htm - 8k

Merchants (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:15 besides that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants,
and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the ...
/m/merchants.htm - 16k

Traffic (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:15 reads: "Besides that which the traders brought, and the traffic
of the merchants." This refers to the income of Solomon. ...
/t/traffic.htm - 12k

Governors (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:15 besides that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants,
and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the ...
/g/governors.htm - 21k

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 ...
/g/gold-workers.htm - 7k

Traffickers (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 9:14 besides that which the traders and merchants brought: and all
the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to ...
/t/traffickers.htm - 9k

Trafficker (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:15 reads: "Besides that which the traders brought, and the traffic
of the merchants." This refers to the income of Solomon. ...
/t/trafficker.htm - 9k

Resources

Who was Zebulun in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible condone slavery? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Dothan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Traders (31 Occurrences)

Matthew 25:9
But the wise made answer, saying, There may not be enough for us and you; it would be better for you to go to the traders and get oil for yourselves.
(BBE)

1 Timothy 1:10
for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;
(WEB NIV)

2 Peter 2:3
And in their desire for profit they will come to you with words of deceit, like traders doing business in souls: whose punishment has been ready for a long time and their destruction is watching for them.
(BBE)

Revelation 18:11
And the traders of the earth are weeping and crying over her, because no man has any more desire for their goods,
(BBE)

Revelation 18:15
The traders in these things, by which their wealth was increased, will be watching far off for fear of her punishment, weeping and crying;
(BBE)

Revelation 18:23
And never again will the shining of lights be seen in you; and the voice of the newly-married man and the bride will never again be sounding in you: for your traders were the lords of the earth, and by your evil powers were all the nations turned out of the right way.
(BBE)

Genesis 37:28
And some traders from Midian went by; so pulling Joseph up out of the hole, they gave him to the Ishmaelites for twenty bits of silver, and they took him to Egypt.
(BBE NAS RSV)

1 Kings 10:15
besides that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the country.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 10:28
And Solomon's horses came from Egypt and from Kue; the king's traders got them at a price from Kue.
(BBE RSV)

1 Kings 10:29
A chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for one hundred fifty; and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 1:16
And Solomon's horses came out of Egypt; the king's traders got them from Kue at a price.
(BBE NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 9:14
besides that which the traders and merchants brought: and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
(WEB ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV)

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 the way up to the angle.
(BBE)

Nehemiah 3:32
And between the way up to the angle and the sheep door, the gold-workers and the traders made good the wall.
(BBE)

Nehemiah 13:20
So the traders in all sorts of goods took their night's rest outside Jerusalem once or twice.
(BBE NAS)

Job 41:6
Will traders barter for him? Will they part him among the merchants?
(WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 31:24
She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
(BBE)

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;
(BBE)

Isaiah 23:8
By whom was this purposed against Tyre, the crowning town, whose traders are chiefs, whose business men are honoured in the land?
(BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 17:4
Biting off the highest of its young branches, he took it to the land of Canaan, and put it in a town of traders.
(BBE DBY NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 27:13
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders; they gave living men and brass vessels for your goods.
(BBE NAS)

Ezekiel 27:15
The men of Rodan were your traders: a great number of sea-lands did business with you: they gave you horns of ivory and ebony as an offering.
(BBE NAS)

Ezekiel 27:17
Judah and the land of Israel were your traders; they gave grain of Minnith and sweet cakes and honey and oil and perfume for your goods.
(BBE NAS)

Ezekiel 27:21
Arabia, and all princes of Kedar, They 'are' the traders of thy hand, For lambs, and rams, and he-goats, In these thy merchants.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 27:22
The traders of Sheba and Raamah did trade with you; they gave the best of all sorts of spices and all sorts of stones of great price and gold for your goods.
(BBE NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 27:23
Haran and Canneh and Eden, the traders of Asshur and all the Medes:
(BBE NAS)

Ezekiel 27:27
Thy wealth and thy remnants, Thy merchandise, thy mariners, And thy pilots, strengtheners of thy breach, And the traders of thy merchandise, And all thy men of war, who 'are' in thee, And in all thine assembly that 'is' in thy midst, Fall into the heart of the seas in the day of thy fall,
(YLT)

Ezekiel 38:13
Sheba, and Dedan and her traders, Tarshish with all her traders, will say to you, Have you come to take our goods? have you got your armies together to take away our property by force? to take away silver and gold, cattle and goods, to go off with great wealth?
(BBE)

Nahum 3:16
Let your traders be increased more than the stars of heaven:
(BBE NAS)

Zephaniah 1:11
Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the people of Canaan are undone! All those who were loaded with silver are cut off.
(See RSV)

Zechariah 14:21
And every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the Lord of armies: and all those who make offerings will come and take them for boiling their offerings: in that day there will be no more traders in the house of the Lord of armies.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Traders

Related Terms

Rat (1 Occurrence)

Crafts (2 Occurrences)

Buying (12 Occurrences)

Traders (31 Occurrences)

City

Union (24 Occurrences)

Ours (63 Occurrences)

Finisher (1 Occurrence)

Tradesmen (1 Occurrence)