The practice of selling animals is referenced in various contexts throughout the Bible, often associated with religious rituals, economic activities, and moral teachings. In biblical times, animals were integral to both daily life and religious observance, serving as sources of food, labor, and sacrificial offerings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the sale and exchange of animals were common in Israelite society. Livestock such as sheep, goats, cattle, and birds were essential for sacrifices, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 1:2-3 states, "Speak to the Israelites and tell them, 'When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock.'" This requirement created a demand for animals suitable for sacrifice, leading to the establishment of markets and trade in livestock.

The sale of animals is also depicted in the context of wealth and prosperity. Job, a man of great wealth, is described as having vast herds and flocks, indicating his economic status (Job 1:3). The patriarchs, such as Abraham and Jacob, also engaged in the acquisition and management of livestock, which was a measure of their wealth and God's blessing (Genesis 13:2; Genesis 30:43).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the selling of animals is notably mentioned in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem. John 2:14-16 describes Jesus' cleansing of the Temple: "In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those selling doves He said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!'" This event highlights the tension between commercial activities and the sanctity of worship, as Jesus rebuked those who prioritized profit over piety.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible provides guidance on ethical conduct in commerce, including the sale of animals. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This principle underscores the importance of honesty and integrity in all business dealings, including the trade of animals.

Furthermore, the treatment of animals is addressed in Scripture, reflecting a broader ethical concern. Proverbs 12:10 notes, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty." This verse suggests that the humane treatment of animals is a reflection of one's righteousness and moral character.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The sale of animals in biblical times was not merely an economic activity but also held cultural and religious significance. Animals were central to the sacrificial system, which was a means of atonement and worship. The availability of animals for sacrifice facilitated the Israelites' adherence to the Law and their relationship with God.

In summary, the selling of animals in the Bible is depicted in various contexts, from religious rituals to economic transactions. The biblical narrative emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct in commerce and the humane treatment of animals, reflecting broader moral and spiritual principles.John 2:14-15
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 21:12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
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Luke 19:45
And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
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Description of the Symbol of the Hands among the Manich??ans.
... But should any one support himself by selling butcher-meat, and spend the whole ... will
he not plead this compensation as a warrant for his killing animals? ...
/.../chapter 17 name of the.htm

The Story of the Purging of the Temple Spiritualized. Taken ...
... finds in the temple, the house of His Father, those who are selling oxen and ... this
interpretation of the passage and says that it is only pure animals that are ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/16 the story of the.htm

The Temple Cleansed Again
... With the cries of the animals and the sharp chinking of coin was mingled ... The dignitaries
of the temple were themselves engaged in buying and selling and the ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ...
... to the preservation of human society that men may provide themselves with necessaries
by buying and selling, as stated ... But dumb animals cannot commit a fault. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were 3.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... Temple), when he found the Temple-court empty of sacrificial animals, through the ...
The whole of this traffic - money-changing, selling of doves, and market for ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

Men Often Highly Esteem what God Abhors.
... a manifest speculation and should get as much as they can for their Bibles, instead
of selling at the ... And in their love of men they fall below some animals. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xxi men often highly esteem.htm

The Ten Commandments
... money or property, nor acquire it by fraud or by selling him poorly ... You must not
desire your neighbor's wife, servant, maid, animals or anything that belongs ...
/.../luther/the small catechism of martin luther/i the ten commandments.htm

In his Father's House.
... of many-colored marbles, and were buying and selling noisily, and turning the courts
of the Lord into a market. The voices of men and animals must have ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter x in his fathers.htm

Of the Equity, Wisdom, and Foolishness of Christians.
... but that there was no natural law: that all, both men and other animals, were borne ...
Again, if he should find any one who supposes that he is selling copper ore ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvii of the equity wisdom.htm

Whether There is Justice in God?
... The one consists in mutual giving and receiving, as in buying and selling, and other ...
thus it is due to man to have hands, and that other animals should serve ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is justice in.htm

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