What does the Bible say about commerce?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents commerce as a legitimate part of human life and providence, to be pursued with wisdom, honesty, generosity, and humble dependence on God rather than greed or self-confidence. Solomon’s dealings with Hiram and his trade in horses show commerce serving national prosperity and cooperation (1 Kings 5:8, 5:11; 10:28-29). Genesis records trade and settlement among peoples (Genesis 34:10; 42:34), while Ezekiel condemns proud, exploitative commercial powers whose wealth cannot secure them (Ezekiel 17:4; 26:12). Jesus commends faithful stewardship that wisely employs entrusted resources (Matthew 25:16). Yet James 4:13 warns merchants not to boast about future plans, since every venture rests under God’s sovereign will.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Laws concerning Leviticus 19:36; Leviticus 19:37; Leviticus 25:14; Leviticus 25:17
- Carried on by means of caravans Genesis 37:25; Genesis 37:27; Isaiah 60:6
- Carried on by means of ships 1 Kings 9:27; 1 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 10:11; 1 Kings 22:48; Psalms 107:23-30; Proverbs 31:11; Revelation 18:19
- Conducted in fairs Ezekiel 27:12; Ezekiel 27:19; Matthew 11:16
- Of the Arabians Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20; Ezekiel 27:21-24
- Egyptians Genesis 42:2-34
- Ethiopians Isaiah 45:14
- Ishmaelites Genesis 37:27; Genesis 37:28
- Israelites 1 Kings 9:26-28; Nehemiah 3:31; Nehemiah 3:32; Ezekiel 27:17
- Ninevites Nahum 3:16
- Syrians Ezekiel 27:16; Ezekiel 27:18
- Tyrians 2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:6; Isaiah 23:8; Ezekiel 27; Ezekiel 28:5
- Zidonians Isaiah 23:2; Ezekiel 27:8
- Babylonians Revelation 18:3; Revelation 18:11-13
- Jews Ezekiel 27:17
- From Tarshish Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekiel 27:25
- Evil practices connected with Proverbs 29:14; Ezekiel 22:13; Hosea 12:7
- Articles of
- Apes 1 Kings 10:22
- Balm Genesis 37:25
- Blue cloth Ezekiel 27:24
- Brass Ezekiel 27:13; Revelation 18:12
- Cinnamon Revelation 18:13
- Corn 1 Kings 5:11; Ezekiel 27:17
- Cattle Ezekiel 27:21
- Chest of rich apparel Ezekiel 27:24
- Chariots 1 Kings 10:29; Revelation 18:13
- Clothes for chariots Ezekiel 27:20
- Embroidery Ezekiel 27:16; Ezekiel 27:24
- Frankincense Jeremiah 6:20; Revelation 18:13
- Gold 1 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 8:18; Isaiah 60:6; Revelation 18:12
- Honey Ezekiel 27:17
- Horses 1 Kings 10:29; Ezekiel 27:14; Revelation 18:13
- Ivory 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21; Ezekiel 27:15; Revelation 18:12
- Iron and steel Ezekiel 27:12; Ezekiel 27:19
- Land Genesis 23:13-16; Ruth 4:3
- Lead Ezekiel 27:12
- Linen 1 Kings 10:28; Revelation 18:12
- Oil 1 Kings 5:11; Ezekiel 27:17
- Pearls Revelation 18:12
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- The barter of one commodity for another 1 Kings 5:8; 1 Kings 5:11
- The exchange of commodities for money 1 Kings 10:28; 1 Kings 10:29
- Called
- Trade Genesis 34:10; Matthew 25:16
- Traffic Genesis 42:34; Ezekiel 17:4
- Buying and selling James 4:13
- Articles of, called
- Merchandise Ezekiel 26:12; Matthew 22:5
- Wares Jeremiah 10:17; Ezekiel 27:16; Jonah 1:5
- Persons engaged in, called
- Merchants Genesis 37:28; Proverbs 31:24
- Chapmen 2 Chronicles 9:14
- Traffickers Isaiah 23:8
- Sellers and buyers Isaiah 24:2
- Carried on in fairs, &c Ezekiel 27:12; Ezekiel 27:19; Matthew 11:16
- Inland, by caravans Job 6:19; Isaiah 21:13
- Maritime, by ships 2 Chronicles 8:18; 2 Chronicles 9:21
- Persons of distinction engaged in Isaiah 23:8
- Increased the wealth of nations and individuals 2 Chronicles 9:20-22; Proverbs 31:14-18; Ezekiel 28:4; Ezekiel 28:5
- Carried on by
- Ishmaelites Genesis 37:25
- Egyptians Genesis 42:2-34
- Ethiopians Isaiah 45:14
- Ninevites Nahum 3:16
- Syrians Ezekiel 27:16; Ezekiel 27:18
- People of Tarshish Ezekiel 27:25
- People of Tyre Ezekiel 28:5; Ezekiel 28:13; Ezekiel 28:16
- Jews Ezekiel 27:17
- Of the Jews
- Under strict laws Leviticus 19:36; Leviticus 19:37; Leviticus 25:14; Leviticus 25:17
- Commenced after their settlement in Canaan Genesis 49:13; Judges 5:17
- Greatly extended by Solomon 1 Kings 9:26; 1 Kings 9:27; 2 Chronicles 9:21
- Checked in Jehoshaphat’s time 1 Kings 22:48; 1 Kings 22:49
- Success in, led to pride, &c Ezekiel 28:2; Ezekiel 28:16-18
- Evil practices connected with Proverbs 20:14; Ezekiel 22:13; Hosea 12:7
- Denunciations connected with abuses of Isaiah 23:11; Ezekiel 7:12; Ezekiel 7:13; Ezekiel 27:32-36; Ezekiel 28:16-18
- Articles of
- Blue cloth Ezekiel 27:24
- Brass Ezekiel 27:13
- Corn 1 Kings 5:11; Ezekiel 27:17
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
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