Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, markets were central to the economic and social life of a community. They served as places where goods were exchanged, news was shared, and social interactions occurred. The concept of a market in the Bible is often associated with the bustling activity of buying and selling, a vital aspect of daily life in ancient societies.Old Testament Context The Old Testament provides several references to markets, though not always explicitly using the term. Markets were typically located at city gates, which were strategic locations for trade and commerce. For example, in 2 Kings 7:1, the prophet Elisha prophesies about the abundance of food that will be sold at the gate of Samaria, indicating the gate's role as a marketplace. The book of Proverbs also alludes to market activities, emphasizing fair trade and honest dealings. Proverbs 20:14 highlights the bargaining process: "‘Worthless, worthless!’ says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats." This verse reflects the common practice of haggling in the marketplace. New Testament Context In the New Testament, markets are more explicitly mentioned and play a significant role in the narratives. The Greek term "agora" is often used, referring to the public square or marketplace. Jesus frequently used the imagery of markets in His teachings and parables. In Matthew 11:16-17, Jesus compares the generation to children sitting in the marketplaces, calling to others, illustrating the public and communal nature of these spaces. The Gospels also recount Jesus' cleansing of the temple, where He drove out those buying and selling, condemning the commercialization of sacred spaces (Matthew 21:12-13). This act underscores the tension between commerce and worship, highlighting the potential for markets to distract from spiritual devotion. Cultural and Economic Significance Markets in biblical times were not only centers of commerce but also hubs of cultural exchange. They were places where people from different backgrounds and regions interacted, facilitating the spread of ideas and customs. The presence of various goods, from local produce to imported items, reflects the interconnectedness of ancient economies. The economic principles governing markets in biblical times were rooted in the Law, which emphasized justice and fairness. Leviticus 19:35-36 commands, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin." This directive underscores the importance of integrity in trade. Spiritual Lessons The Bible uses the concept of the market to convey spiritual truths. In Revelation 18, the fall of Babylon is depicted as the collapse of a great commercial center, symbolizing the futility of placing trust in material wealth. This imagery serves as a warning against the idolatry of riches and the transient nature of earthly prosperity. Furthermore, the marketplace is a metaphor for the kingdom of God. In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus describes the kingdom as a merchant seeking fine pearls, who, upon finding one of great value, sells everything to purchase it. This parable illustrates the incomparable worth of the kingdom and the sacrifice required to attain it. In summary, markets in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as centers of economic activity, social interaction, and spiritual teaching. They reflect the complexities of human life and the divine principles that guide ethical conduct in commerce. ATS Bible Dictionary MarketIn Greek AGORA, in Latin FORUM, a large open area in many ancient cities, especially of Greece and Rome, having the public market on one side only, the other sides of the are being occupied by temples, theatres, colonnades, courts of justice, baths, and other public structures, the whole square often presenting a magnificent appearance. Here was the city exchange, the focus to which converged all the lines of public life. Hither laborers resorted in search of employment, Matthew 20:3-7, and children to pursue their sports, Luke 7:32. Here the ordinary assemblies of the people were held; here philosophers and statesmen met and debated; here laws were promulgated and news announced; hither men resorted for pleasure as well as for business. The most notable public men, and indeed all classes of citizens, here congregated; and what was done here was done before the whole city. Hence the proud Pharisees desired "greeting in the market places," Matthew 12:38; and Paul resorted to the agora at Athens to meet and convince the philosophers, Acts 17:17; and the masters of the damsel at Philippi exorcised by Paul and Silas, "drew them into the market place unto the rulers," Acts 16:19. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A meeting together of people, at a stated time and place, for the purpose of traffic (as in cattle, provisions, wares, etc.) by private purchase and sale, and not by auction; as, a market is held in the town every week.2. (n.) A public place (as an open space in a town) or a large building, where a market is held; a market place or market house; esp., a place where provisions are sold. 3. (n.) An opportunity for selling anything; demand, as shown by price offered or obtainable; a town, region, or country, where the demand exists; as, to find a market for one's wares; there is no market for woolen cloths in that region; India is a market for English goods. 4. (n.) Exchange, or purchase and sale; traffic; as, a dull market; a slow market. 5. (n.) The price for which a thing is sold in a market; market price. Hence: Value; worth. 6. (n.) The privilege granted to a town of having a public market. 7. (v. i.) To deal in a market; to buy or sell; to make bargains for provisions or goods. 8. (v. t.) To expose for sale in a market; to traffic in; to sell in a market, and in an extended sense, to sell in any manner; as, most of the farms have marketed their crops. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MARKET; MARKETPLACE; MARTmar'-ket, mar'-ketplas, mart (ma`arabh, cachar; agora): SHEEP MARKET (John 5:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "sheep gate"): The Greek (he probatike) means simply something that pertains to sheep. MARKET, SHEEP See SHEEP MARKET. Greek 3111. makellon -- a meat market ... a meat market. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: makellon Phonetic Spelling: (mak'-el-lon) Short Definition: a meat-market Definition: a meat-market ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3111.htm - 6k 5410. phoron -- forum, market 675. Appiou Phoron -- Market of Appius, the name of a city south ... 58. agora -- an assembly, place of assembly 1712. emporion -- a trading place 60. agoraios -- pertaining to the marketplace, an agitator 4262. probatikos -- of sheep 59. agorazo -- to buy in the marketplace, purchase 779. askos -- a leather bottle, wineskin Strong's Hebrew 5506. sechorah -- merchandise... 5505, 5506. sechorah. 5507 . merchandise. Transliteration: sechorah Phonetic Spelling: (sekh-o-raw') Short Definition: market. Word ... /hebrew/5506.htm - 6k 4627. maarab -- articles of exchange, merchandise 5504. sachar -- commerce, gain Library How the Market-Town of Gaza was Made a City for Its Profession of ... The Following Books to be had at the Shop of John Bryce, Printer ... The Henkels. Innocent Alypius, Being Apprehended as a Thief, is Set at Liberty ... The Repentance of Samuel Johnson But this was Already Being Laid up in his Memory to be a Medicine ... The French Drummer-Boy The Consulship of Eutropius Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry. The Misfortunes which Happened in Connection with These Things, in ... Thesaurus Market (24 Occurrences)... time and place, for the purpose of traffic (as in cattle, provisions, wares, etc.) by private purchase and sale, and not by auction; as, a market is held in ... /m/market.htm - 19k Market-place (7 Occurrences) Market-places (4 Occurrences) Meat-market (1 Occurrence) Sheep-market (1 Occurrence) Mart (2 Occurrences) Marketplace (8 Occurrences) Buying (12 Occurrences) Forum (1 Occurrence) Sale (12 Occurrences) Resources Is it allowable for a Christian to eat halal food? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a metanarrative? | GotQuestions.org Does the Bible say anything about how to deal with puberty? | GotQuestions.org Market: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Market (24 Occurrences)Matthew 11:16 Matthew 20:3 Matthew 23:7 Mark 7:4 Mark 12:38 Luke 7:32 Luke 11:43 John 2:16 John 5:2 Acts 16:19 Acts 17:17 Acts 28:15 1 Corinthians 10:25 1 Kings 20:34 Psalms 55:11 Proverbs 7:12 Isaiah 23:3 Ezekiel 27:13 Ezekiel 27:15 Ezekiel 27:17 Ezekiel 27:19 Ezekiel 27:25 Amos 8:5 Zephaniah 1:11 Subtopics Consisted of Horses, Horsemen, Horns, Ivory, and Ebony, Emeralds, Purple, Embroidered Wares, Linen Related Terms |
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