Merchant — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

A person who buys and sells commodities for profit. The barter system of trade gave way in time to a system where professional merchants facilitated the exchange of goods. At first, it was for payment in silver pieces (Gn 23:16) and then in coinage or some other medium of exchange. Merchants operated locally and internationally with Arameans (1 Kgs 20:34; Ez 27:16-18), Canaanites and Phoenicians (Is 23:2, 8 OET ISA 23:2 · OET ISA 23:8), Assyrians (Na 3:16), Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Some merchants traveled afar (Neh 13:16-20). Desert peoples with caravans traded their wares in many lands (Ez 27:15, 20-23 OET EZE 27:15 · OET EZE 27:20–23; 38:13). They operated in bazaars and set up shops for trade (1 Kgs 20:34; Neh 3:31; 13:19-20). Commodities were held in storehouses (Gn 41:49; 1 Kgs 9:19). The sons of Jacob traded in Egypt (Gn 43:11). In Solomon’s day, trade greatly expanded (1 Kgs 9:26-27; 10:28). During the exile, Jews became involved in merchant activity in Babylonia, and many never returned to Palestine. In Jerusalem the merchants helped Nehemiah to rebuild the wall (Neh 3:31-32).

Show passage in OET: GEN 23:16

OET-RV GEN 23:16

16 So Avraham accepted Efron’s words and weighed out for Efron the price that he had mentioned in the hearing of Het’s descendants: 400 shekels of silver (the currency among the merchants).

OET-LV GEN 23:16

16 And_ ʼAⱱrāhām _he/it _listened to ˊEfrōn and_ ʼAⱱrāhām _he _weighed _out for_ˊEfrōn DOM the_money which he _had _spoken in_the _ears _of the _people _of Ḩēt four hundred(s) shekel[s]_of silver which_passes _along to_trader.

Show passage in OET: KI1 20:34

OET-RV KI1 20:34

34 and he told Ahav, “I’ll return the cities that my father took from with yours, and your traders can set up stalls in Damesek (Damascus), just as my father did in Shomron (Samaria).”
¶ “Okay, I’ll accept that agreement and release you,” Ahav said, and after formalising the agreement, he sent him away.

OET-LV KI1 20:34

34 And_he/it _said to_him/it the_cities which father _of_my he _took from_with father _of_your I _will _return and_streets you _will _make to/for_yourself(m) in_Dammeseq just_as father _of_my he _made in_Shomrōn and_I with_covenant I_will _let _you _go and_he _made to_him/it a _covenant and_he/it _sent _out/away_him/it.

Show passage in OET: EZE 27:16–18

OET-RV EZE 27:16

16 Aram (Syria) was a dealer in your many products—they provided emeralds, purple dye, coloured cloth, fine fabric, pearls, and rubies for your merchandise.

OET-RV EZE 27:17

17 Yehudah (Judah) and Yisrael (Israel) were trading with you. They provided wheat from Minit, cakes, honey, oil, and balsam for your merchandise.

OET-RV EZE 27:18

18 Damesek (Damascus) was a trader of all your products, of all your enormous wealth, and of the wine from Helbon and the wool from Tsahar.

OET-LV EZE 27:16

16 ʼArām was_your _of_trader from_the _abundance _of your(pl)_products _of_your for_turquoise purple and_multicoloured _material and_fine _linen and_corals and_ruby they _exchanged for_wares _of_your.

OET-LV EZE 27:17

17 Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_the _land _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) they were_your(pl)_of_traders for_the _wheat(s)_of Minnit and_cake and_honey and_oil and_balm they _exchanged merchandise _of_your.

OET-LV EZE 27:18

18 Dammeseq was_your _of_trader in_the_abundance _of your(pl)_products _of_your from_the_abundance _of all _of wealth for_the _wine _of Ḩelbōn and_wool _of Tsaḩar/(Zahar).

Show passage in OET: ISA 23:2; ISA 23:8

OET-RV ISA 23:2

2 Be silent you who live along the coast, you traders from Tsidon (Sidon) who cross the ocean to be filled.

OET-RV ISA 23:8

8 Who planned that for Tsor, the bestower of crowns,
⇔ whose traders are princes,
⇔ ≈ whose merchants were honoured around the world?

OET-LV ISA 23:2

2 Be _silent Oh _inhabitants _of the_coastland Oh _trader _of Tsīdōn/(Sidon) one _who_passes _over the_sea they_have _filled _you.

OET-LV ISA 23:8

8 Who did _he _plan this on Tsor/(Tyre) which_bestows_crowns which traders _of_its were_princes merchants _of_its were _those _who _were_honoured _of the_earth.

Show passage in OET: NAH 3:16

OET-RV NAH 3:16

16 You have so many merchants—
⇔ more than the stars in the sky.
⇔ Like locusts, they strip valuables and then fly away.

OET-LV NAH 3:16

16 You _have _increased traders _of_your more_than _the _stars _of the_heavens a _locust it _strips _off and_it _flew _away.

Show passage in OET: NEH 13:16–20

OET-RV NEH 13:16

16 Also, people from Tsor (Tyre) were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and were selling it on the rest day to the Israelis, even in Yerushalem.

OET-RV NEH 13:17

17 I rebuked the Yehudah business leaders, asking them, “What’s this evil thing that you’re all doing—profaning the rest day by treating it like a regular day?

OET-RV NEH 13:18

18 Wasn’t that what your ancestors did—the very reason our god brought all this evil on us and on this city? Now you’re all making God angry with Yisrael (Israel) again by profaning the rest day.”

OET-RV NEH 13:19

19 So after that, when it started to get dark on Friday evenings, I ordered that the city gates be closed, and not to be opened until after the rest day. I also stationed some of my young men to stand at the gates to ensure that no load could enter on the rest day.

OET-RV NEH 13:20

20 Some traders and merchants selling various goods camped outside the city walls once or twice,

OET-LV NEH 13:16

16 And_the_Tsorī/(Tyrians) who_they _dwelt in_it were_bringing fish and_all merchandise and_they_were_selling_it on_sabbath to_the _people _of Yəhūdāh and_in_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem).

OET-LV NEH 13:17

17 And_I_contended with the _nobles _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_I_said to/for_them what is_the_thing (the)_evil the_this which you(pl) are_doing and_you(pl)_are_profaning DOM the _day _of the _sabbath.

OET-LV NEH 13:18

18 Am_not thus ancestors _of_your(pl) did _they _do and_ god _of_our _he/it _brought on_us DOM all _of the_trouble (the)_this and_on the_city (the)_this and_you(pl) are_increasing anger toward Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) by_profaning DOM the_sabbath.

OET-LV NEH 13:19

19 And_he/it _was just_as the _gates _of Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) they _became _shady to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before the_sabbath and_I_said and_ the_doors _they _were _closed and_I_said which/who not people_will _open _them until after the_sabbath and_some_of_my _servants I _stationed at the_gates not a _load it _will _come in/on_day of_the _sabbath.

OET-LV NEH 13:20

20 And_ the_traders and_the_sellers _of every _of thing _sold _they _passed _the _night from_the_outside of_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) a _time and_two_times.

Show passage in OET: EZE 27:15; EZE 27:20–23

OET-RV EZE 27:15

15 People from Dedan were your traders on many coasts. You sent the merchandise and they sent back ivory tusks and ebony wood as payment.

OET-RV EZE 27:20

20 Dedan was your dealer in woven saddle blankets.

OET-RV EZE 27:21

21 Arav and all of Kedar’s leaders were traders with you—they provided you with lambs, rams, and goats.

OET-RV EZE 27:22

22 Traders from Sheva and Ramah came to sell you the best of every spice and all kinds of precious gems—they traded gold for your goods.

OET-RV EZE 27:23

23 Haran, Kaneh, and Eden were traders with you, along with Sheva, Ashur (Assyria), and Kilmad.

OET-LV EZE 27:15

15 The _people _of Dədān were_your(pl)_of_traders islands many were_the _merchandise _of your _hand _of_your horns _of ivory and they _brought tribute _of_your.

OET-LV EZE 27:20

20 Dədān was_your _of_trader for_clothes _of material for_riding.

OET-LV EZE 27:21

21 ˊArāⱱ and_all the _princes _of Qēdār they were_the _traders _of your _hand _of_your for_lambs and_rams and_goats for_them traders _of_your.

OET-LV EZE 27:22

22 The _traders _of Shəⱱāʼ and_Raˊmāh they were_your(pl)_of_traders for_the_best _of every _of spice and_on/over_all stone precious and_gold they _exchanged wares _of_your.

OET-LV EZE 27:23

23 Ḩārān and_Canneh and_ˊĒden the _traders _of Shəⱱāʼ ʼAshshūr Kilmād/(Chilmad) was_your _of_trader.

Show passage in OET: EZE 38:13

OET-RV EZE 38:13

13 People from Sheva and Dedan, and traders from Tarshish and its villages will ask you, ‘Have you come to plunder? Have you assembled your armies to take away spoil, to carry off gold and silver, to take their livestock and property and to haul away plenty of plunder?’

OET-LV EZE 38:13

13 Shəⱱāʼ and_Dədān and_the _traders _of Tarshiysh and_all lions _of_its _young they _will _say to/for_yourself(m) to_plunder plunder are_you coming to_take_as _spoil spoil have _you _assembled company _of_your to_carry _away silver and_gold to_take/accept/receive livestock and_property to_plunder plunder great.

Show passage in OET: NEH 3:31

OET-RV NEH 3:31

31 Next was the goldsmiths’ son Malkiyah who repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and up to the upper room in the corner,

OET-LV NEH 3:31

31 After_him Malkīy^yāh the _son _of the _goldsmith[s] he _repaired to the _house _of the _temple _servants and_the_traders before the _gate _of the _muster and_unto the _roof-chamber _of the _corner.

Show passage in OET: NEH 13:19–20

OET-RV NEH 13:19

OET-RV NEH 13:20

20 Some traders and merchants selling various goods camped outside the city walls once or twice,

OET-LV NEH 13:19

OET-LV NEH 13:20

20 And_ the_traders and_the_sellers _of every _of thing _sold _they _passed _the _night from_the_outside of_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) a _time and_two_times.

Show passage in OET: GEN 41:49

OET-RV GEN 41:49

49 So Yosef stored up so much grain that it was like sand on the beaches, until he eventually stopped measuring it because it too much to calculate.

OET-LV GEN 41:49

49 And_ Yōşēf _he _heaped _up grain like_the _sand _of the_sea much very until if/because he _ceased to_measure_it if/because there_was_not measure.

Show passage in OET: KI1 9:19

OET-RV KI1 9:19

19 all of Shelomoh’s storehouse cities, and the cities for his chariots and horses. They also built whatever else Shelomoh wanted—in Yerushalem, in Levanon, and in the entire area of his dominion.

OET-LV KI1 9:19

19 And_DOM all _of the _cities _of (the)_stores which they _belonged to_Shəlomoh and_DOM the _cities _of (the)_chariotry and_DOM the _cities _of the _horsemen and_DOM the _desire _of Shəlomoh which he _desired to_build in_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_in_Ləⱱānōn and_in_all _of the _land _of his _dominion _of_his.

Show passage in OET: GEN 43:11

OET-RV GEN 43:11

11 “Well, if that’s our only choice,” their father acceded, “then do this: Take some of the best produce from around here in your bags, and take it down to the man as a gift: a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, and some pistachio nuts and almonds.

OET-LV GEN 43:11

11 And_he/it _said to_them Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) father _of_their if so then this do take some_of _the _best _products _of the_earth/land in_vessels _of_your(pl) and_take _down to_man a _gift a _little _of balm and_a _little _of honey spice and_myrrh pistachio _nuts and_almonds.

Show passage in OET: KI1 9:26–27

OET-RV KI1 9:26

26 King Shelomoh constructed a fleet of ships in Etsyon-Gever, which is near Eylot on the shore of the Red Sea in the Edom region.

OET-RV KI1 9:27

27 King Hiram sent some of his servants who were experienced sailors to serve with Shelomoh’s men.

OET-LV KI1 9:26

26 And_ship[s] the_king Shəlomoh he _made at_ˊEʦyon- geⱱer which is_with ʼĒylōt on the_shore _of the_sea _of reed[s] in_land of _ʼEdōm.

OET-LV KI1 9:27

27 And_ Ḩīrām _he _sent in_the_ship[s] DOM servants _of_his men _of ships who_knew _of the_sea with the _servants _of Shəlomoh.

Show passage in OET: KI1 10:28

OET-RV KI1 10:28

28 Shelomoh acquired horses from Mitsrayim (Egypt) and from Kue—his traders would acquire them from Kue for the king for a price.

OET-LV KI1 10:28

28 And_the _export _of the _horses which belonged_to_Shəlomoh/(Solomon) was_from_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) and_from_Que the _traders _of the_king they _took_them from_Que for_a _price.

Show passage in OET: NEH 3:31–32

OET-RV NEH 3:31

31 Next was the goldsmiths’ son Malkiyah who repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and up to the upper room in the corner,

OET-RV NEH 3:32

32 ⇔and the other goldsmiths and some merchants repaired the last section of the wall from the upper room in the corner to the Sheep Gate.

OET-LV NEH 3:31

OET-LV NEH 3:32

32 And_between the _roof-chamber _of the _corner and_the _gate _of the _sheep the_goldsmiths and_the_traders they _repaired.

Jump to OET GEN 23:16 section.

Jump to OET KI1 20:34 section.

Jump to OET EZE 27:16–18 section.

Jump to OET ISA 23:2 section. · OET ISA 23:8 section.

Jump to OET NAH 3:16 section.

Jump to OET NEH 13:16–20 section.

Jump to OET EZE 27:15 section. · OET EZE 27:20–23 section.

Jump to OET EZE 38:13 section.

Jump to OET NEH 3:31 section.

Jump to OET NEH 13:19–20 section.

Jump to OET GEN 41:49 section.

Jump to OET KI1 9:19 section.

Jump to OET GEN 43:11 section.

Jump to OET KI1 9:26–27 section.

Jump to OET KI1 10:28 section.

Jump to OET NEH 3:31–32 section.