In the context of the Bible, the term "traffickers" generally refers to those engaged in trade or commerce, often with a negative connotation associated with deceit, exploitation, or unethical practices. The Bible addresses the concept of trafficking in various forms, emphasizing the moral and ethical implications of such activities.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides several instances where trade and commerce are mentioned, often highlighting the potential for corruption and exploitation. In Ezekiel 27, the prophet laments over the city of Tyre, a hub of commerce and trade. Tyre is described as a city whose merchants and traffickers were renowned across the ancient world. Ezekiel 27:12-13 states, "Tarshish was your trading partner because of your abundant wealth of every kind; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants; they exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your wares." This passage illustrates the extensive trade network of Tyre, including the trafficking of slaves, which is condemned in the prophetic literature for its inhumanity and greed.

In the book of Nahum, Nineveh is also criticized for its commercial practices. Nahum 3:16 says, "You multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The young locust strips the land and flies away." Here, the proliferation of merchants is likened to a plague of locusts, suggesting the destructive nature of unchecked commerce and the moral decay it can bring.

New Testament Insights

The New Testament continues to address the theme of trafficking, particularly in the context of greed and exploitation. In Revelation 18, the fall of Babylon is depicted as a judgment against a corrupt system of commerce. Revelation 18:11-13 describes the lament of the merchants: "And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo—cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood, and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle and sheep; of horses and chariots; of slaves and souls of men." This passage highlights the moral bankruptcy of a system that commodifies human lives alongside material goods.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of greed and the exploitation of others for personal gain. 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 all forms of trade and commerce.

Furthermore, the Bible calls for justice and righteousness in dealings with others. Micah 6:8 reminds believers of their duty: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This call to justice and mercy stands in stark contrast to the practices of those who engage in trafficking for selfish gain.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on traffickers is clear: while trade and commerce are not inherently evil, they become morally reprehensible when they involve deceit, exploitation, and the commodification of human lives. The Bible calls for ethical conduct, justice, and integrity in all business dealings, reflecting the character of God and His concern for the dignity and well-being of all people.

Ezekiel's Discourse
... wares. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy traffickers: they traded
the persons of men and vessels of brass for thy merchandise. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
... Sabbath. But down with the window-shutters of the grog-shops. Our laws shall
confer particular honor upon the rum-traffickers. All ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/talmage a bloody monster.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... The traffickers fled before his glance; not in terror of his scourge, or of one
man whom they might have defied, but there was something about him that struck ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the cleansing of the temple.htm

The Procession of Amen
... They were the apprentices of paraschites,[1] brewers, professional thieves, slaves
and traffickers in the unclean necessities of a great city, and only their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

His Freedom from Sin.
... The apparent outbreak of passion in the expulsion of the profane traffickers from
the temple is the only instance on the record of his history which might be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his freedom from sin.htm

Harmony of all Graces and virtues in Christ.
... The same hand which drove the profane traffickers from the Temple blessed little
children, healed the lepers, and rescued the sinking disciple; the same ear ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/harmony of all graces and.htm

Pecaut.
... of the sinlessness of Christ, and tries to show that his answers to his mother
(Luke 2:49, and John 2:4), the expulsion of the profane traffickers from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/f pecaut.htm

The Temple Cleansed Again
... With the cries of the animals and the sharp chinking of coin was mingled the sound
of angry altercation between traffickers, and among them were heard the ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

The Last Supper.
... to Jerusalem, and a second time he entered into the temple to assert his authority
to cleanse his Father's house by casting out the traffickers and money ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the last supper.htm

Practical Observations.
... made a house of merchandise. There is need of the whip of small cords to
scourge out the traffickers. 2. When corruption and avarice ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 4.htm

Traffickers (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Traffickers (9 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles 9:14
besides that which the traders and merchants brought: and ...
/t/traffickers.htm - 9k

Traded (16 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were your traffickers; they traded
the persons of men and vessels of brass for your merchandise. ...
/t/traded.htm - 11k

Wares (23 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were your traffickers; they traded
the persons of men and vessels of brass for your merchandise. (See NIV). ...
/w/wares.htm - 15k

Exchanged (22 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were your traffickers;
they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass for your merchandise. ...
/e/exchanged.htm - 12k

Kilmad (1 Occurrence)
... Kilmad (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:23 Haran and Canneh and Eden, the traffickers
of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad, were your traffickers. (See NIV). ...
/k/kilmad.htm - 6k

Traffic (12 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ezekiel 27:23 Haran and Canneh and Eden, the traffickers of Sheba, Asshur
and Chilmad, were your traffickers. (Root in WEB JPS ASV). ...
/t/traffic.htm - 12k

Ra'amah (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:22 The traffickers of Sheba and Raamah, they were your traffickers; they
traded for your wares with the chief of all spices, and with all precious ...
/r/ra'amah.htm - 7k

Raamah (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:22 The traffickers of Sheba and Raamah, they were your traffickers; they
traded for your wares with the chief of all spices, and with all precious ...
/r/raamah.htm - 7k

Bartered (5 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy traffickers: they
bartered with thee the persons of men, and vessels of bronze. (DBY). ...
/b/bartered.htm - 7k

Paid (86 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were your traffickers;
they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass for your merchandise. ...
/p/paid.htm - 30k

What does the Bible have to say to victims of human trafficking? | GotQuestions.org

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