Merchant

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), 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; 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).