Topical Bible: Commerce: Articles of, Called: Merchandise

◄ Commerce: Articles of, Called: Merchandise ►

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In the biblical context, "merchandise" refers to goods or commodities that are bought and sold in the practice of commerce. The Bible provides various insights into the nature and role of merchandise within ancient economies, often reflecting broader spiritual and moral lessons.

Old Testament References

The concept of merchandise is evident in the Old Testament, where trade and commerce were integral to the economic life of Israel and its neighboring nations. In Genesis 37:28, the account of Joseph being sold by his brothers to Midianite traders highlights the role of merchants in the ancient world: "So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt" . This passage illustrates the use of merchandise in the form of human trade, a practice that, while common in ancient times, is viewed through a moral lens in the biblical narrative.

Proverbs 31:18 describes the virtuous woman, whose industriousness includes engaging in commerce: "She sees that her merchandise is profitable; her lamp does not go out at night" . Here, merchandise is associated with diligence and the wise management of resources, reflecting a positive view of commerce when conducted with integrity.

Ezekiel 27 provides a detailed account of the city of Tyre, renowned for its extensive trade network. Verses 12 and 13 list various goods exchanged: "Tarshish was your trading partner because of your abundant wealth of every kind; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants; they exchanged slaves and bronze articles for your merchandise" . This passage underscores the diversity of merchandise and the interconnectedness of ancient economies.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the term "merchandise" often carries a more cautionary tone, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In John 2:16, during the cleansing of the temple, Jesus admonishes those who turned a place of worship into a marketplace: "To those selling doves He said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!'" . This incident highlights the potential for commerce to corrupt spiritual spaces when profit is prioritized over piety.

Revelation 18:11-13 provides a prophetic vision of the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the collapse of a corrupt commercial system: "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo—cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; all kinds of citron wood and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and chariots; and slaves—that is, human souls" . This passage serves as a warning against the idolatry of wealth and the exploitation inherent in some commercial practices.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Throughout Scripture, merchandise and commerce are depicted with a dual nature. On one hand, they are necessary for economic sustenance and can be conducted honorably, as seen in the industriousness of the Proverbs 31 woman. On the other hand, the Bible warns against the potential for greed and exploitation, as exemplified in the cleansing of the temple and the fall of Babylon. The biblical narrative encourages a balanced approach to commerce, one that upholds integrity, justice, and the well-being of others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 26:12
And they shall make a spoil of your riches, and make a prey of your merchandise: and they shall break down your walls, and destroy your pleasant houses: and they shall lay your stones and your timber and your dust in the middle of the water.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 22:5
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Commerce
... five quarters of the town, which were called after the ... But no sketch of commerce
among the early Jews ... those of another, to buying and selling articles of home ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

But we are Called to Account as Harm-Doers on Another Ground...
... But we are called to account as harm-doers on ... inn, nor weekly market, nor any other
places of commerce. ... do not go to your spectacles; yet the articles that are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xlii but we are.htm

His Unconscious Preparation for his Work
... of cloth and manufactured into various articles, among which ... for behind the town
a famous pass, called the Cilician ... was not only a center of commerce, but also ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ii his unconscious preparation.htm

The City of Benares.
... They produce articles which command a large and profitable sale ... the temple and tank
of Durga at a place called Durgakund ... Commerce had as many pilgrims as religion ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter vii the city of.htm

Disestablishment
... With the embargo lifted, New England commerce revived, and ... to the convention of 1788,
called to ratify ... When all articles had been approved, the constitution ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

The First Theban Empire
... everything, in fact, which Central Africa has furnished as articles of commerce
from time ... and cisterns in the rock, one at a halting-place called Bait, two ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... the family and its property"Chaldaean commerce and industry ... barter or by the exchange
of merchandise for weighed ... For example, "god" was called ilu, and "heaven ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... And they (ie, the demon spirits of verse 14) gathered them (ie, the kings and their
armies) together unto the place which is called in Hebrew Har-mageddon [338 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... princess of Mitanni, niece of Gilukhipa, called Tadu-khipa ... of the consumer, the waning
commerce which had ... on the tomb of liakhmiri among the articles of tribute ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... I have placed this defile near the point which is now called Umm-el-Fahm, and ... in
the palaces of the nobles of Car-chemish or Assur: the same articles of toilet ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm