Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5402 market

The market was a central feature of life in biblical times. Some of the biblical terms for redemption are drawn from the market-place.

Ancient market-places

1 Kings 20:34 Ahab's treaty with Ben-Hadad suggests that by the 9th century B.C. there was a highly developed system of international trade.

International trade in Tyre:

Isaiah 23:3; Ezekiel 27:24

The market as a place of commerce

Methods of trading

Cash:

Genesis 23:10-18; John 2:14-16

Bartering:

Genesis 47:17; Hosea 3:2

Sealing transactions

Ruth 4:7 with a sandal; Jeremiah 32:11-12 by signature

Other activities in the market-place

It was where children played

Matthew 11:16-17 pp Luke 7:32

It was where labourers waited for hire

Matthew 20:3

It was where meat was sold

1 Corinthians 10:25 Some of this meat had come from pagan sacrifices.

It was where magistrates were present

Acts 16:19

God's work in the market-place

Jesus Christ healed the sick

Mark 6:56

Paul preached

Acts 17:16-17

Sins in the market-place

Greed, dishonesty and materialism

See also Hosea 12:7; Amos 8:5; Micah 6:11

The hypocrisy of the Pharisees

Matthew 23:7 pp Mark 12:38 pp Luke 20:46; Mark 7:4 the problem was ritual defilement; Luke 11:43

Rough crowds

Acts 16:22; Acts 17:5

The temple courts become a market

John 2:14-16 pp Matthew 21:12-13 pp Mark 11:15-17 pp Luke 19:45-46

Markets will be destroyed in judgment

See also

Zephaniah 1:11; Revelation 18:11-13

Biblical terms for redemption are drawn from market language

In the gospel call

Proverbs 8:3-5 The city gates were often places for business deals; Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 55:1,2; Matthew 13:45-46

God's people have been bought

Acts 20:28 See also Exodus 15:16; Psalm 74:2; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Corinthians 7:23; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:4

God's people have been redeemed

Galatians 4:4-5 The Greek word “exagorazo” means “to buy” and was used, for example, of the buying of slaves. See also Galatians 3:13-14; Revelation 14:3 The Greek “agorazo”, translated here as “redeemed”, may also be translated as “bought”. Elsewhere (e.g., Tit 2:14; 1Pe 1:18), “lutro” meaning “to release” is used, conveying a similar idea.

Redeeming the time

The Greek “exagorazo” here translated as “make the most of”:

Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5

See also

1315  God as redeemer
5242  buying & selling
5407  merchants
5587  trade
6720  redemption
7140  people of God
7754  preaching