Lexical Summary sachar: gain, profit, market Original Word: סַחַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance merchandise From cachar; profit (from trade) -- merchandise. see HEBREW cachar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sachar Definition commerce, gain NASB Translation gain (3), market (1), merchandise (1), profit (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סַ֫חַר] noun masculineProverbs 3:14 traffic, gain; — construct סְחַר Isaiah 23:3 2t.; suffix סַחְרָהּ Proverbs 3:14 3t.; — traffic, i.e. gain from traffic, Isaiah 23:3,18 (+ אֶתְנַנָּהּ), Isaiah 23:18; Isaiah 45:14; Proverbs 3:14; Proverbs 31:18. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Range of Usage סַחַר depicts the return, gain, or profit that comes from trade and labor. While commerce is its literal backdrop, Scripture employs the term to explore spiritual values that outshine material success. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Proverbs 3:14 contrasts the profit of wisdom with silver and fine gold, elevating the spiritual yield above the highest economic return. Literary and Theological Themes • Supremacy of Wisdom: In Proverbs 3, סַחַר frames wisdom as the most advantageous investment. Its “rate of return” is measured not in coin but in life, honor, and peace (Proverbs 3:16–17). Historical Background Tyre dominated Mediterranean trade through vast networks reaching from Spain to Mesopotamia. Isaiah’s prophecy, delivered amid Assyrian expansion, assures Judah that even Tyre’s formidable profits cannot escape divine claim. Similarly, the book of Proverbs was compiled in a period of expanding international contact, making its economic imagery readily understood by Israelite readers. Ministry Significance • Stewardship Teaching: סַחַר encourages believers to evaluate all gain—financial, intellectual, relational—by its capacity to honor God. Christological and Eschatological Echoes Jesus’ parables of treasure and pearl (Matthew 13:44–46) echo the theme: the kingdom’s “profit” eclipses every material asset. Revelation envisions nations bringing their “glory and honor” into the New Jerusalem, fulfilling Isaiah’s vision of sanctified commerce. Contemporary Application • Christians in business are called to pursue excellence while channeling returns toward gospel advance and compassion. Summary סַחַר underscores that every form of gain—whether wisdom’s insights, household productivity, or international trade—finds its highest value when surrendered to the LORD. Forms and Transliterations סַ֭חְרָהּ סַחְרָ֑הּ סַחְרָ֔הּ סַחְרָ֜הּ סחרה Sachrah saḥ·rāh saḥrāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 3:14 HEB: כִּ֤י ט֣וֹב סַ֭חְרָהּ מִסְּחַר־ כָּ֑סֶף NAS: For her profit is better than KJV: For the merchandise of it [is] better INT: for is better her profit the merchandise of silver Proverbs 31:18 Isaiah 23:18 Isaiah 23:18 4 Occurrences |
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