In biblical times, the role of a seller was integral to the economic and social fabric of society. Sellers engaged in the exchange of goods and services, often in marketplaces or through personal transactions. The Bible provides various insights into the practices, ethics, and spiritual implications of selling.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently references sellers in the context of trade and commerce. In ancient Israel, marketplaces were central to daily life, where sellers would offer goods such as food, livestock, textiles, and other commodities. The Law of Moses provided guidelines to ensure fairness and honesty in these transactions. Leviticus 19:35-36 states, "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."

The prophets often condemned dishonest selling practices, which were seen as a violation of God's commandments. Amos 8:5 criticizes those who "diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and cheat with dishonest scales," highlighting the moral and spiritual decay associated with corrupt selling.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the role of sellers is also evident, particularly in the context of the Temple. Jesus' cleansing of the Temple is a significant event where He drove out the sellers and money changers, accusing them of turning a house of prayer into a "den of robbers" (Matthew 21:13). This act underscores the importance of maintaining purity and reverence in places of worship, free from commercial exploitation.

The New Testament also addresses the ethical dimensions of selling. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira sell a piece of property but deceitfully withhold part of the proceeds while claiming to donate the entire amount. Their actions result in severe consequences, emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity in all transactions.

Spiritual Implications

The Bible often uses the concept of selling metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. In Proverbs 23:23 , it is written, "Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction, and insight as well." This verse encourages believers to value and hold onto spiritual truths above material gain.

The parable of the pearl of great value in Matthew 13:45-46 illustrates the kingdom of heaven as a treasure worth selling everything to obtain. This teaching emphasizes the supreme worth of spiritual riches over earthly possessions.

Ethical Considerations

From a biblical perspective, sellers are called to conduct their business with integrity, fairness, and a sense of stewardship. The Bible warns against greed and exploitation, urging believers to prioritize righteousness over profit. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight."

In summary, the role of a seller in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing practical, ethical, and spiritual dimensions. Sellers are encouraged to engage in honest and fair practices, reflecting the character of God in their dealings.(n.) One who sells.SELL, SELLER

sel'-er.

See TRADE; LYDIA.

4211. porphuropolis -- a seller of purple fabrics
... a seller of purple fabrics. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
porphuropolis Phonetic Spelling: (por-foo-rop'-o-lis) Short Definition: a female ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4211.htm - 7k

59. agorazo -- to buy in the marketplace, purchase
... 59 (from 58 , "the ancient marketplace, town-center") -- properly, to make in
the marketplace (""), ie as transfers from seller to buyer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/59.htm - 9k

4376. makar -- to sell
... Definition to sell NASB Word Usage certainly sell (1), destruction (1), make (1),
merchants (1), offer yourselves for sale (1), sell (23), seller (3), selling ...
/hebrew/4376.htm - 6k

Whether the Seller is Bound to State the Defects of the Thing Sold ...
... (D) BY SINS COMMITTED IN BUYING AND SELLING (Q ) Whether the seller is
bound to state the defects of the thing sold? Objection 1 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the seller is bound.htm

A Rum-Seller's Son Blows his Brains Out.
... A Rum-Seller's Son Blows his Brains Out. Look at that rum-seller. When
we talk to him he laughs at us. He tells you there is no ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a rum-sellers son blows his.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Sell a Thing for More than Its Worth?
... Now according to these laws it is just for buyer and seller to deceive one
another (Cod. IV, xliv, De Rescind. Vend.8,15): and this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 15.htm

Whether a Sale is Rendered Unlawful through a Fault in the Thing ...
... One, in respect of the thing's substance: and if the seller be aware of a fault
in the thing he is selling, he is guilty of a fraudulent sale, so that the sale ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a sale is rendered.htm

Connection Between Covetousness and Idolatry. Certain Trades ...
... retained in the Church? No, I take it; unless any one will dissemble in
the case of a frankincense-seller too. In sooth, the agency ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xi connection between covetousness and.htm

Further Dissensions among the Arians at Constantinople. The ...
... Psathyrians, [803] because one of the most zealous defenders of this opinion was
Theoctistus, a Syrian by birth, and a cake-seller [Psathyropola] [804] by trade ...
/.../chapter xxiii further dissensions among the.htm

Lydia, the First European Convert
... "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira ... She
was a seller of purple, of Thyatira. Thyatira was a city famous for its dyers. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lydia the first european convert.htm

Acts xvi. 13, 14
... And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which
worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxv acts xvi 13.htm

The Fifth Book
... But this is a new sort of buying and selling; the seller gives nothing and receives
everything, while the buyer receives nothing and loses all that he had. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fifth book.htm

Moody's Anecdotes And Illustrations
... GOLD. INTEMPERANCE. The Way of the Transgressor is Hard. A Rum-Seller's Son Blows
his Brains Out. A Distiller Interrogates Moody. A Remarkable Case. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/

Seller (4 Occurrences)
... (n.) One who sells. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SELL, SELLER. sel'-er. See
TRADE; LYDIA. Multi-Version Concordance Seller (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/seller.htm - 8k

Lydia (5 Occurrences)
... Sea. (2.) A woman of Thyatira, a "seller of purple," who dwelt in Philippi
(Acts 16:14, 15). She was not a Jewess but a proselyte. ...
/l/lydia.htm - 12k

Buyer (7 Occurrences)
... the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with
the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with ...
/b/buyer.htm - 9k

Thyatira (4 Occurrences)
... Lydia, the seller of purple, or rather of cloth dyed with this colour, was from
this city (Acts 16:14). It was and still is famous for its dyeing. ...
/t/thyatira.htm - 12k

Sell (58 Occurrences)
... (n.) An imposition; a cheat; a hoax. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SELL, SELLER.
sel'-er. See TRADE; LYDIA. Multi-Version Concordance Sell (58 Occurrences). ...
/s/sell.htm - 26k

Lender (4 Occurrences)
... the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with
the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with ...
/l/lender.htm - 7k

Listening (47 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:14 A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira,
one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to ...
/l/listening.htm - 19k

Giver (21 Occurrences)
... the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with
the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with ...
/g/giver.htm - 12k

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:14 and a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of
Thyatira, worshipping God, was hearing, whose heart the Lord did open to ...
/w/worshipping.htm - 22k

Worshipped (81 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira,
which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she ...
/w/worshipped.htm - 32k

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