In the context of the Bible, the term "broker" as understood in modern financial and commercial transactions does not appear explicitly. However, the concept of intermediaries or middlemen who facilitate trade and commerce can be inferred from various passages and historical contexts within the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In ancient Israel, trade and commerce were integral to society, and various roles akin to brokers existed, though not explicitly named as such. The economy was largely agrarian, but trade with neighboring nations was common. Merchants and traders often acted as intermediaries, similar to brokers, facilitating the exchange of goods and services.

The book of Proverbs offers wisdom on commerce and trade, emphasizing honesty and integrity. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse underscores the importance of fairness and honesty in all transactions, principles that would apply to any intermediary or broker-like role.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the economic landscape included more complex trade systems, with Roman influence bringing about a more structured market economy. While the term "broker" is not used, the parables of Jesus often reflect on economic activities and the moral implications of wealth and trade.

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates the responsibility of managing resources wisely. Although not directly about brokers, the parable highlights the role of stewards who are entrusted with resources to invest and grow. This can be seen as analogous to the role of brokers who manage and facilitate the growth of assets for others.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible consistently emphasizes ethical conduct in all forms of trade and commerce. Leviticus 19:35-36 commands, "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." This directive would extend to any intermediary role, including brokers, ensuring that transactions are conducted with integrity.

The New Testament further reinforces this with teachings on honesty and fairness. In Luke 16:10 , Jesus teaches, "Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." This principle is crucial for anyone in a position of trust, such as a broker, who must handle transactions with integrity.

Historical and Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near East, trade was often conducted in marketplaces where merchants acted as intermediaries. These marketplaces were hubs of economic activity, and while the Bible does not specifically mention brokers, the role of merchants and traders was vital. They facilitated the exchange of goods, similar to how brokers operate in modern financial markets.

The role of intermediaries in biblical times was not limited to commerce. In some instances, individuals acted as mediators in negotiations or disputes, a role that shares similarities with modern brokerage in terms of facilitating agreements and transactions.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention brokers, the principles of honesty, integrity, and faithful stewardship found throughout Scripture provide a moral framework applicable to the role of brokers. These principles guide the ethical conduct expected of anyone involved in facilitating trade and managing resources on behalf of others.

Way-Marks in John's Narrative.
... Jews from all quarters of the world, speaking many languages beside their national
Hebrew, giving large business, especially to money-brokers and traders in ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/way-marks in johns narrative.htm

The Contemptuous Rejection.
... the pavement like an unkempt barnyard, loud, discordant voices of men handling the
beasts and bargaining over exchange rates at the brokers' tables"strange ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the contemptuous rejection.htm

The Purifying of the Temple.
... The merchants and brokers made every thing subservient to their avarice, and their
noisy huckstering was a great disturbance to the worship of the Temple. ...
/.../section 117 the purifying of.htm

Making Haste to be Rich.
... to be the bills payable of country merchants, which his own credit had carried through
a number of the banks, as well as made pass freely to money-brokers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/making haste to be rich.htm

Love Wooing yet More.
... The drastic turning of bargaining cattle-dealers and bickering money-brokers, out
of the temple-area, and restoring it from a barn-yard to a place of holy ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/love wooing yet more.htm

Jews.
... As the Jews have generally been the bankers and brokers of the people among whom
they have resided, and have made a show of much wealth, this has tempted their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

In his Temple
... Officers of the temple, speculating priests, brokers and cattle traders, with their
sheep and oxen, rush from the place, with the one thought of escaping from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm

Elucidations.
... And when we come to the Epistles of Cyprian, [1125] we shall see what opportunities
were given to desperate men to make themselves a sort of brokers to the ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/elucidations.htm

Brokers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Brokers (1 Occurrence). ... The small coin of the brokers
He upset on the ground and overturned their tables. (WEY). ...
/b/brokers.htm - 6k

Upset (9 Occurrences)
... bullocks--out of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He upset on the
ground and overturned their tables. (WEY). Acts 4:2 being ...
/u/upset.htm - 9k

Overturned (41 Occurrences)
... of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He upset on the ground and
overturned their tables. (WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). Titus 1:11 ...
/o/overturned.htm - 18k

Rushes (13 Occurrences)
... bullocks--out of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He upset on the
ground and overturned their tables. (WEY). Exodus 2:3 And ...
/r/rushes.htm - 9k

Exchange (41 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The place where the merchants, brokers, and bankers of a city meet at certain
hours, to transact business. In this sense often contracted to 'Change. ...
/e/exchange.htm - 20k

Plaited (12 Occurrences)
... bullocks--out of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He upset on the
ground and overturned their tables. (WEY). John 19:2 And ...
/p/plaited.htm - 9k

Bullocks (50 Occurrences)
... bullocks--out of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He upset on the
ground and overturned their tables. (WEY). Acts 14:13 And ...
/b/bullocks.htm - 23k

Broken-up (1 Occurrence)
Broken-up. Broken-testicled, Broken-up. Brokers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(YLT). Broken-testicled, Broken-up. Brokers . Reference Bible.
/b/broken-up.htm - 6k

Coin (9 Occurrences)
... bullocks--out of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He upset on the
ground and overturned their tables. (WEY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/coin.htm - 11k

Scalp (3 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To make a small, quick profit by slight fluctuations of the market; --
said of brokers who operate in this way on their own account. ...
/s/scalp.htm - 7k

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