In the context of the Bible, the concept of bargains can be understood through various narratives and teachings that emphasize fair dealings, integrity, and the moral implications of transactions. While the term "bargain" itself is not explicitly used in the Berean Standard Bible, the principles surrounding fair trade and honest agreements are deeply embedded in biblical teachings.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous examples and laws concerning fair trade and honest dealings. In Leviticus 19:35-36 , the Israelites are commanded: "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This passage underscores the importance of integrity in transactions, ensuring that all parties are treated fairly and justly.

The account of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:29-34 illustrates a form of bargaining with significant consequences. Esau, famished from the field, sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. This transaction, though agreed upon, highlights the potential pitfalls of impulsive decisions and the long-term impact of seemingly minor bargains.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings further illuminate the ethical dimensions of bargains and transactions. In Matthew 21:12-13 , Jesus cleanses the temple, driving out those who were buying and selling: "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. And He declared to them, 'It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of robbers.'" This act underscores the importance of maintaining purity and righteousness in all dealings, especially in sacred spaces.

The parable of the workers in the vineyard, found in Matthew 20:1-16 , also provides insight into the nature of agreements and fairness. The landowner hires workers at different times of the day but pays them the same wage, as agreed. This parable challenges conventional notions of fairness and highlights the generosity and sovereignty of God in His dealings with humanity.

Ethical Considerations

The Bible consistently advocates for honesty, fairness, and integrity in all forms of transactions. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse reinforces the idea that God values truthfulness and fairness in all dealings, reflecting His just nature.

Furthermore, the principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself, as found in Leviticus 19:18 and reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 22:39 , serves as a foundational ethic for all interactions, including bargains. This principle encourages believers to consider the well-being of others in their transactions, promoting a spirit of generosity and fairness.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "bargain," the principles of fair and honest dealings are woven throughout its teachings. Believers are called to conduct their transactions with integrity, reflecting the character of God in their interactions with others.

Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot For, and Judas Bargains for his ...
... CXVI. Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot for, and Judas Bargains for His Death.
(Mount of Olives, Bethany, and Jerusalem. Tuesday After Sunset, ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxvi jesus predicts the rulers.htm

Be not Conformed to this World. Romans 12:2.
... Who does not know, that in making bargains, the business men of the world consult
their own interest, and seek their own benefit, and not the benefit of those ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be not conformed to this.htm

Letter Lxxiv. To Martinianus.
... and Scythians. And only one noise is heard of drivers of bargains, and losers
of bargains, and of fellows under the lash. On either ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter lxxiv to martinianus.htm

The Government of India.
... In former years we used to hear of John Company's bad bargains; and now that India
has come directly under the rule of Queen Victoria we now and then hear of ...
/.../chapter xxxi the government of.htm

The Sunday Christian.
... pursuits were looked upon, as a general thing, as ungodly in their lives, and therefore,
in a certain sense, "out-siders." To make good bargains out of these ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the sunday christian.htm

Baptism not to be Presumptously Received it Requires Preceding ...
... If, then, sellers first examine the coin with which they make their bargains, to
see whether it be cut, or scraped, or adulterated, [8469] we believe likewise ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter vi baptism not to be.htm

The Family of a Saint
... To hunt, to ride horseback, now and then to go on parade, to look after his
small-holders and agricultural slaves, to drive one of those bargains in which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the family of a.htm

The Sifting Time, 1743-1750.
... Spirit"; and now he heard, to his deep disgust, that his Brethren in Europe had
lowered the ideal of the Church, and made vulgar business bargains with worldly ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter viii the sifting time.htm

[Endnotes]
... [9:2] In the "Octavius of Minucius Felix" (c.25), we meet with the following startling
challenge""Where are there more bargains for debauchery made, more ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

Jesus Draws Men.
... Practical hard-headed men of sharp bargains and shrewd trading, like Matthew, felt
His pull upon their hearts equally with men of pure heart and lofty ideals ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/jesus draws men.htm

Bargains (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bargains (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 2:6 For you, O Lord,
have given up your people, the family of Jacob, because ...
/b/bargains.htm - 6k

Sharper (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A person who bargains closely, especially, one
who cheats in bargains; a swindler; also, a cheating gamester. ...
/s/sharper.htm - 8k

Even (10971 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable; impartial; just to both side; owing
nothing on either side; -- said of accounts, bargains, or persons indebted; as ...
/e/even.htm - 9k

Deal (170 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) An arrangement to attain a desired result by a combination of interested
parties; -- applied to stock speculations and political bargains. ...
/d/deal.htm - 40k

Market (24 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The privilege granted to a town of having a public market. 7. (vi) To deal
in a market; to buy or sell; to make bargains for provisions or goods. ...
/m/market.htm - 19k

Buying (12 Occurrences)
... buyers do today. Every where you find them now keen for bargains, but
"striking a bargain" is a tedious process. They grow warm ...
/b/buying.htm - 23k

Barhumite (1 Occurrence)

/b/barhumite.htm - 7k

Bargaining (1 Occurrence)

/b/bargaining.htm - 6k

Huckster
... 1. (n.) A retailer of small articles, a peddler; a hawker. 2. (n.) A mean, trickish
fellow. 3. (vi) To deal in small articles, or in petty bargains. Int. ...
/h/huckster.htm - 6k

Does prayer change God's mind? | GotQuestions.org

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