In biblical times, the term "dealer" generally referred to individuals engaged in trade or commerce. Dealers played a significant role in the economic life of ancient societies, including those depicted in the Bible. The concept of a dealer can be understood through various scriptural references that highlight trade, commerce, and the ethical considerations surrounding these activities.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, trade and commerce were integral to the economy of Israel and its neighboring nations. Dealers were often involved in the exchange of goods such as spices, textiles, metals, and livestock. The Bible provides insights into the activities of dealers through various passages.

One notable reference is found in the book of Proverbs, which frequently addresses the conduct of merchants and traders. 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 honesty and integrity in trade, emphasizing that God values fairness in commercial dealings.

The book of Ezekiel also provides a vivid depiction of trade in the ancient world. Ezekiel 27 describes the city of Tyre as a bustling hub of commerce, with dealers from many nations bringing their goods to its markets. This passage highlights the extensive network of trade routes and the diverse array of products exchanged by dealers.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the role of dealers is further illuminated through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The Gospels contain several parables and teachings that address the ethical dimensions of trade and wealth.

One such parable is the Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30. In this account, a master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of money to invest and trade. The servants who act as diligent dealers and multiply their master's wealth are commended, while the one who fails to engage in trade is rebuked. This parable illustrates the expectation of responsible stewardship and the use of one's resources for productive purposes.

Additionally, the cleansing of the temple by Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 21:12-13 , highlights the tension between commerce and worship. Jesus drives out the money changers and those selling goods, declaring, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.'" This event underscores the potential for corruption and exploitation in commercial activities, especially when they encroach upon sacred spaces.

Ethical Considerations

The Bible consistently emphasizes ethical conduct in trade and commerce. Dealers are called to uphold principles of honesty, fairness, and integrity. The prophets frequently condemned dishonest practices, such as the use of false weights and measures, as seen in Micah 6:11 : "Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?"

Furthermore, the Bible warns against the love of money and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of righteousness. 1 Timothy 6:10 cautions, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." This admonition serves as a reminder that dealers, like all individuals, must prioritize their spiritual well-being over material gain.

In summary, the role of dealers in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both the practical aspects of trade and the moral imperatives that govern it. Through various passages, the Scriptures provide guidance on how dealers should conduct themselves, emphasizing the importance of integrity, stewardship, and the proper use of resources.1. (n.) One who deals; one who has to do, or has concern, with others; esp., a trader, a trafficker, a shopkeeper, a broker, or a merchant; as, a dealer in dry goods; a dealer in stocks; a retail dealer.

2. (n.) One who distributes cards to the players.

405. andrapodistes -- a slave dealer
... a slave dealer. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: andrapodistes Phonetic
Spelling: (an-drap-od-is-tace') Short Definition: an enslaver, a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/405.htm - 6k

2855. kollubistes -- a moneychanger
... moneychanger. From a presumed derivative of kollubos (a small coin; probably akin
to kollourion); a coin-dealer -- (money-)changer. see GREEK kollourion. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2855.htm - 6k

4211. porphuropolis -- a seller of purple fabrics
... dealer of purple cloth. Feminine of a compound of porphura and poleo; a female trader
in purple cloth -- seller of purple. see GREEK porphura. see GREEK poleo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4211.htm - 7k

5349. noqed -- sheep raiser, sheep dealer, sheep tender
... 5348, 5349. noqed. 5350 . sheep raiser, sheep dealer, sheep tender.
Transliteration: noqed Phonetic Spelling: (no-kade') Short Definition: breeder. ...
/hebrew/5349.htm - 6k

898. bagad -- to act or deal treacherously
... to act covertly; by implication, to pillage -- deal deceitfully (treacherously,
unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man ...
/hebrew/898.htm - 6k

It is Somewhat the Same Argument which You Use against the Pope ...
... It is as if a fuller or a tanner in speaking to a dealer in pigments should warn
him that he had better hold his nose as he passed their shops. ...
/.../24 it is somewhat the.htm

The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha)
... And she had a son, a dealer in unguents, and she gave it to him, saying: See that
thou do not sell this jar of unguent of nard, even although three hundred ...
/.../the arabic gospel of the infancy of the saviour/the arabic gospel of the.htm

On the Advisableness of Improving Natural Knowledge.
... the unholy cursing and the crackling wit of the Rochesters and Sedleys, and with
the revilings of the political fanatics, if my imaginary plain dealer had gone ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/i on the advisableness of.htm

Sins May be Divided into Corporeal and Spiritual Both Equally ...
... He is no dissembler of, nor double-dealer with, [8438] His own clear-sightedness.
What (shall we say of the fact) that will is the origin of deed? ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter iii sins may be divided.htm

Types of Talkers
... It is a sacred secret for your ear. He is a wholesale dealer in gossip.
He fairly smacks his lips as he relates the latest scandal. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/types of talkers.htm

Of Patience under Personal violence and Malediction.
... [9100] As Oehler says "the blow" is said to "receive" that which, strictly, the
dealer of it receives. [9101] Improbum. [9102] Matthew 5:11, 12; Luke 6:22, 23. ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter viii of patience under personal.htm

Finding God
... Saviour. To the formal religionist or the casual dealer in pious phrases
and occasional prayers, these revelations do not come. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/howard/standards of life and service/iv finding god.htm

Chapter four
... In point of fact, he afterward learned that the tobacco dealer withdrew his
advertisement because he had heard that the editor of the News was about to enter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter four.htm

The Silence of God
... So now, to keep his family, he really turns "a dealer in words." In spite of his
youth (he was barely twenty) the terms he had kept at Thagaste as a teacher of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/v the silence of god.htm

And Since, as You Dare not Deny that These Deities of Yours once ...
... In the first place, you must concede the existence of one higher God"a certain
wholesale dealer in divinity, who has made gods of men. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xi and since as.htm

Dealer (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who deals; one who has to do, or has concern, with others; esp., a trader,
a trafficker, a shopkeeper, a broker, or a merchant; as, a dealer in dry ...
/d/dealer.htm - 8k

Stag (5 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An outside irregular dealer in stocks, who is not a member of the exchange. ...
8. (vi) To act as a stag, or irregular dealer in stocks. ...
/s/stag.htm - 8k

Dealers (16 Occurrences)

/d/dealers.htm - 11k

Worshipper (15 Occurrences)
... listens to him. (WEB KJV ASV BBE YLT). Acts 16:14 Among our hearers was
one named Lydia, a dealer in purple goods. She belonged to ...
/w/worshipper.htm - 11k

Infant (14 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 4:4 Cleaved hath the tongue of a suckling unto his palate with thirst,
Infants asked bread, a dealer out they have none. (Root in YLT NAS NIV). ...
/i/infant.htm - 12k

Infant's (1 Occurrence)
... Infant's (1 Occurrence). Lamentations 4:4 Cleaved hath the tongue of a suckling
unto his palate with thirst, Infants asked bread, a dealer out they have none. ...
/i/infant's.htm - 6k

Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... melons will never be known. This time someone's curiosity was aroused, and
a native dealer secured the tablets. Knowledge of the "find ...
/t/tablets.htm - 41k

Tell (3056 Occurrences)
... melons will never be known. This time someone's curiosity was aroused, and
a native dealer secured the tablets. Knowledge of the "find ...
/t/tell.htm - 33k

Thyateira (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thyateira (3 Occurrences). Acts 16:14 Among our
hearers was one named Lydia, a dealer in purple goods. ...
/t/thyateira.htm - 7k

El-amarna
... melons will never be known. This time someone's curiosity was aroused, and
a native dealer secured the tablets. Knowledge of the "find ...
/e/el-amarna.htm - 31k

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