In biblical times, the term "wares" refers to goods or merchandise that were traded or sold. The concept of wares is closely tied to commerce and trade, which were integral parts of ancient economies and daily life in the biblical world. The Bible provides various insights into the nature of trade, the ethical considerations surrounding it, and the spiritual lessons that can be drawn from the practice of buying and selling.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several references to wares, often in the context of trade and commerce. In Ezekiel 27, the prophet describes the city of Tyre as a bustling hub of trade, listing the various goods and wares that were exchanged: "They exchanged your wares for turquoise, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies" (Ezekiel 27:16). This passage highlights the diversity and richness of the goods that were traded in ancient markets.

The Law of Moses also addresses the ethical dimensions of trade. Honest weights and measures were commanded to ensure fairness in transactions: "You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin" (Leviticus 19:36). This emphasis on honesty underscores the importance of integrity in commerce, reflecting God's desire for justice and righteousness in all aspects of life.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of wares is often used metaphorically to illustrate spiritual truths. In the Book of Revelation, the fall of Babylon is depicted as a lament over the loss of its luxurious wares: "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo anymore—cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; all kinds of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble" (Revelation 18:11-12). This passage serves as a warning against the dangers of materialism and the fleeting nature of earthly wealth.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, also touches on the theme of commerce, urging believers to conduct their business with integrity and to avoid the love of money, which is "a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). The focus is on using one's resources for the glory of God and the benefit of others, rather than for selfish gain.

Spiritual Lessons

The biblical references to wares and trade offer several spiritual lessons. First, they remind believers of the importance of honesty and integrity in all dealings. The Bible consistently upholds the value of truthfulness and fairness, reflecting God's character and His expectations for His people.

Second, the transient nature of material goods serves as a reminder of the eternal value of spiritual treasures. Jesus taught, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20). This teaching encourages believers to prioritize their spiritual lives over material pursuits.

Finally, the biblical perspective on wares and commerce highlights the potential for using one's resources to serve others and advance God's kingdom. The early church exemplified this by sharing their possessions and meeting the needs of the community (Acts 2:44-45), demonstrating the power of generosity and stewardship in the life of a believer.(n. pl.) See Ware.WARES

warz (maqqachah, mekher, mimkar, kin`ah, ma`aseh, `izzabhon, keli):

(1) maqqachah, something received or purchased (Nehemiah 10:31);

(2) mekher, "price" or "pay," value, merchandise (Nehemiah 13:16);

(3) mimkar, a "selling," the thing sold (Nehemiah 13:20);

(4) kin`ah, a "package," hence, wares (Jeremiah 10:17);

(5) ma`aseh, "transaction," activity, property, possession, work, occupation, thing made, deed, business (Ezekiel 27:16, 18);

(6) `izzabhon, "selling," trade, revenue, mart, letting go for a price (Ezekiel 27:33);

(7) keli, a "prepared" something, as an implement, tool, weapon, utensil, armor, furniture, sack, vessel, hence, wares (Jonah 1:5).

In most cases the real sense is merchandise (see MERCHANDISE). "That which did not a little amuse the Merchandizers (in Vanity-Fair) was, that these Pilgrims set very light by all their Wares; they cared not so much as to look upon them" (Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress).

William Edward Raffety

1117. gomos -- a ship's freight, cargo
... cargo, freight, merchandise. From gemo; a load (as filling), ie (specially) a cargo,
or (by extension) wares -- burden, merchandise. see GREEK gemo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1117.htm - 6k5801. izzabon -- wares
... wares. Transliteration: izzabon Phonetic Spelling: (iz-zaw-bone') Short Definition:
wares. Word Origin from azab Definition wares NASB Word Usage wares (7). ...
/hebrew/5801.htm - 6k

3666. kinah -- a bundle, pack
... wares. From kana' in the sense of folding (compare kanac); a package -- wares. see
HEBREW kana'. see HEBREW kanac. 3665, 3666. kinah. 3667 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3666.htm - 6k

4728. maqqachah -- ware (an article of merchandise)
... 4727, 4728. maqqachah. 4729 . ware (an article of merchandise). Transliteration:
maqqachah Phonetic Spelling: (mak-kaw-khaw') Short Definition: wares. ...
/hebrew/4728.htm - 6k

4536. mischar -- probably merchandise
... 4535, 4536. mischar. 4537 . probably merchandise. Transliteration: mischar
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-khawr') Short Definition: wares. ...
/hebrew/4536.htm - 6k

Ezekiel's Discourse
... Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches;
with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded for thy wares. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

You Press Me to Give My Opinions About the Nature of Things. If ...
... But Oh! how vast was the wealth contained in that trireme which had come full of
all the wares of Egypt and the East to enrich the poverty of the city of Rome. ...
/.../29 you press me to.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... robbery, but against all stinting in temporal goods which men may practise toward
one another: such as greed, usury, overcharging and plating wares that sell ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not steal.htm

Of Lying Defamation.
... It does indeed differ no more than the maker of adulterate wares, does from the
vendor of them: and certainly there cannot be a more ignominious trade, than ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section v of lying defamation.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... by persons buying and selling, keeping open shop, tippling in alehouses, and standing
or sitting in the streets, roads, or fields, vending their wares as on ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

The Words of Our Lips.
... A Christian man must have nothing to do with an unjust balance, or a false weight.
He must refuse to adulterate his wares, for these things are lies. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xl the words of.htm

Directions to Church-Wardens, &C.
... five shillings. If one shall then publicly cry [10] or expose to sale any
wares, he shall forfeit the said wares. If any carrier ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/directions to church-wardens &c.htm

Introduction
... A fine tongue can put off bad wares. ... They are thinking of their wares and
drugs and are often casting up accounts in the church. ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/1 introduction.htm

A Strain of Jonah the Prophet.
... With foremost haste outbale the reeking well. Of inward sea. The wares and cargo
all. They then cast headlong, and with losses seek. 75 Their perils to subdue. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/1 a strain of jonah.htm

Treatise on Good Works
... gracious Prince and Lord, I have wished to show my humble respect and duty toward
your princely Grace, by the exhibition of some such spiritual wares as are at ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/treatise on good works.htm

Wares (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. pl.) See Ware. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
WARES. warz (maqqachah, mekher, mimkar, kin`ah, ma`aseh ...
/w/wares.htm - 15k

Fairs (6 Occurrences)
... 27, and nowhere else. The Authorized Version renders the word thus in all
these instances, except in verse 33, where "wares" is used. ...
/f/fairs.htm - 9k

Traded (16 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:12 Tarshish was your merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds
of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded for your wares. ...
/t/traded.htm - 11k

Exchanged (22 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:12 Tarshish was your merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds
of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded for your wares. ...
/e/exchanged.htm - 12k

Merchandise (34 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The objects of commerce; whatever is usually bought
or sold in trade, or market, or by merchants; wares; goods; commodities. ...
/m/merchandise.htm - 22k

Market (24 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/m/market.htm - 19k

Ophir (12 Occurrences)
... We get a fuller list of the wares and also the time taken by the voyage if we assume
that the same vessels are referred to in 1 Kings 10:22, "Once every three ...
/o/ophir.htm - 16k

Vedan (1 Occurrence)
... ve'-dan (wedhan): A place-name occurring only in Ezekiel 27:19, "Vedan and Javan
traded with yarn for thy wares." the King James Version, taking the syllable ...
/v/vedan.htm - 7k

Warehouse (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A storehouse for wares, or goods. 2.
(vt) To deposit or secure in a warehouse. 3. (vt) To place ...
/w/warehouse.htm - 6k

Ware (6 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 13:16 There lived men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all
manner of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in ...
/w/ware.htm - 8k

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