In biblical terms, the concept of a "trafficker" is often associated with trade, commerce, and the exchange of goods, sometimes with negative connotations. The term is not explicitly used in most English translations of the Bible, but the activities and implications of trafficking can be discerned through various passages that discuss trade and merchants.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often associated with trafficking is "rakal," which means to go about as a trader or merchant. This term appears in contexts that sometimes carry a negative connotation, particularly when trade is linked with deceit or exploitation. For example, in Ezekiel 28:5, the prophet speaks against the king of Tyre, saying, "By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of your wealth." Here, the act of trading is connected with pride and moral corruption.

Ezekiel 27 provides a detailed lamentation over the city of Tyre, a major center of commerce and trade in the ancient world. The chapter lists various goods and services exchanged by Tyre, highlighting the extensive network of trade that the city engaged in. However, the lamentation also serves as a critique of Tyre's reliance on wealth and commerce, which ultimately leads to its downfall.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts more towards the moral and ethical implications of wealth and commerce. While the term "trafficker" is not directly used, the principles surrounding trade and the pursuit of wealth are addressed. Jesus' cleansing of the temple, as recorded in Matthew 21:12-13, is a notable example: "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' He said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'" This passage underscores the idea that commerce, when conducted inappropriately or exploitatively, is contrary to the holiness and purpose of God's house.

The Apostle Paul also addresses issues related to trade and wealth in his epistles. In 1 Timothy 6:10, he warns, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." This admonition highlights the spiritual dangers associated with the pursuit of wealth, which can be a temptation for those engaged in trade and commerce.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

From a biblical perspective, the role of a trafficker or merchant is not inherently sinful. However, the Bible consistently warns against the moral pitfalls that can accompany trade, such as greed, deceit, and exploitation. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in all commercial dealings.

The Bible also calls for fairness and justice in trade. Leviticus 19:35-36 instructs, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." These commands reflect God's desire for His people to conduct business in a manner that reflects His righteousness and justice.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "trafficker," it provides ample guidance on the ethical conduct of trade and commerce. The Scriptures call for honesty, integrity, and a heart that prioritizes God's kingdom over material wealth.(n.) One who traffics, or carries on commerce; a trader; a merchant.TRAFFIC, TRAFFICKER

traf'-ik, traf'-ik-er (kena`-an, micchar, cachar, rekhullah):

(1) Kena`an = "Canaan," and, as the Canaanites were celebrated merchants, came to mean "merchant," and so "traffic" (see CANAAN). Ezekiel 17:4 refers to the great eagle who "cropped off the topmost of the young twigs (of cedar) thereof, and carried it unto a land of traffic; he set it in a city of merchants."

(2) Micchar means "trade," and so "traffic"; comes from a root meaning "to travel round," e.g. as a peddler. 1 Kings 10:15 reads: "Besides that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants." This refers to the income of Solomon.

(3) Cachar means "to go about," "occupy with," "trade," "traffic," "merchant," and so the business of the moving merchant or peddler. Joseph said to his brothers: "So will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffic in the land" (Genesis 42:34). He evidently meant that they should have license to become, throughout Egypt, traveling traders.

(4) Rekhullah, from a root meaning "to travel for trading," and so a peddled traffic, as in spices, etc. Ezekiel speaks against the prince of Tyre: "By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches" (28:5); and against the king of Tyre: "in the unrighteousness of thy traffic," etc. (Ezekiel 28:18).

See MARKET; MERCHANDISE; SHIPS AND BOATS, II, 2, (2); TRADE.

William Edward Raffety

3669. Kna'aniy -- inhab. of Canaan
... Kna'aniy. 3669a . inhab. of Canaan. Transliteration: Kna'aniy Phonetic Spelling:
(ken-ah-an-ee') Short Definition: Canaanite. Canaanite, merchant, trafficker ...
/hebrew/3669.htm - 5k

Reception of Christians.
... [2484] "Christ-trafficker." The abuse of Christian fellowship and hospitality
naturally followed the remarkable extension of Christianity. ...
/.../various/the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter xii name of christians.htm

What Priests Should be and Should not Be.
... [429] See Matthew 24:45-51. [430] [Comp. the term christemporos "Christ-monger,"
"Christ-trafficker," in Teaching, chap. xii. 5, vol. vii. p. 381.--R.]. ...
/.../two epistles concerning virginity/chapter xiii what priests should be.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... and calamus, were among thy merchandise. Dedan was thy trafficker in precious
cloths for riding. Arabia, and all the princes of ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

Antichrist in the Minor Prophets
... In 12:7 he is called a "Merchant" or Trafficker, and of him it is said, "The balances
of deceit are in his hands: he loveth to oppress," with this should be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/5 antichrist in the minor.htm

Sermon at the Fourth Annual Convention of the Brotherhood of St. ...
... for wage-workers alone, not for the poor in the attic and the cellar alone; it is
for the man who lives in the marble house, it is for the trafficker in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/v sermon at the fourth.htm

Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ...
... Reply. The nature of their gains either excuses or condemns the trafficker,
because there is an honourable and a base kind of profit. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clxvii to rusticus.htm

The Will.
... lest you may see and feel the shame and humiliation of your sad condition; and,
like a thing inert, await in dumb silence until some trafficker may come and ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter ix the will.htm

The Way to the Sea
... leading him. What manner of man was he about to look upon,"a sorcerer, a
trafficker in horrors, a confounder of men? Ahead, particularly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliv the way to.htm

The General Conference of 1832
... of this poison should be permitted, I will not say in any Christian country, but
in any civilized state!' He pronounces the gain of the trafficker in ardent ...
/.../chapter 11 the general conference.htm

Trafficker (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TRAFFIC, TRAFFICKER. ...Trafficker (3 Occurrences).
Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan was your trafficker in precious cloths for riding. ...
/t/trafficker.htm - 9k

Trade (33 Occurrences)
... in their meaning, but when the two are used together (Ezekiel 27:13) the Revised
Version (British and American) distinguishes by using "trafficker" for rokhel. ...
/t/trade.htm - 40k

Trader (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One engaged in trade or commerce; one who makes a business of buying and
selling or of barter; a merchant; a trafficker; as, a trader to the East Indies ...
/t/trader.htm - 8k

Traffickers (9 Occurrences)

/t/traffickers.htm - 9k

Trafficked (7 Occurrences)

/t/trafficked.htm - 8k

Traffic (12 Occurrences)
... passengers or the amount of freight carried. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
TRAFFIC, TRAFFICKER. traf'-ik, traf'-ik-er (kena`-an ...
/t/traffic.htm - 12k

Traded (16 Occurrences)
... your merchandise. (WEB JPS ASV DBY). Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan was thy trafficker
in precious cloths for riding. (See NAS RSV NIV). Ezekiel ...
/t/traded.htm - 11k

Riding-cloths (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Riding-cloths (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan was
thy trafficker in precious riding-cloths. (DBY). Riding, Riding-cloths. Rie > ...
/r/riding-cloths.htm - 6k

Dedan (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan was your trafficker in precious
cloths for riding. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/dedan.htm - 11k

Dealer (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who deals; one who has to do, or has concern, with others; esp., a trader,
a trafficker, a shopkeeper, a broker, or a merchant; as, a dealer in dry ...
/d/dealer.htm - 8k

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