Lexical Summary emporos: Merchant, Trader Original Word: ἔμπορος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance merchant. From en and the base of poreuomai; a (wholesale) tradesman -- merchant. see GREEK en see GREEK poreuomai HELPS Word-studies 1713 émporos (from 1722 /en, "in" and poros, "a way of passage") – a merchant using a particular venue to trade. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and poros (a journey) Definition a passenger on shipboard, a merchant NASB Translation merchant (1), merchants (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1713: ἔμποροςἔμπορος (see ἐν, III. 3), ἐμπόρου, ὁ (πόρος); 1. equivalent to ὁ ἐπ' ἀλλοτρίας νεώς πλέων μισθοῦ, ὁ ἐπιβάτης; so Hesychius, with whom agree Phavorinus and the Schol. ad Aristophanes, Plutarch, 521; and so the word is used by Homer. 2. after Homer one on a journey, whether by sea or by land, especially for traffic; hence, 3. a merchant (opposed to κάπηλος a retailer, petty tradesman): Revelation 18:3, 11, 15, 23; ἄνθρωπος ἔμπορος (see ἄνθρωπος, 4 a.), Matthew 13:45 (WH text omits ἄνθρωπος). (the Sept. for סֹחֵד and רֹכֵל.) Topical Lexicon Occurrences Matthew 13:45; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:11, Revelation 18:15, Revelation 18:23. Cultural Background In the first-century Mediterranean world, large-scale traders moved luxury goods—spices, silks, perfumes, precious stones—along the Roman road system and through the great ports of the Empire. Such dealers enjoyed high social standing and considerable wealth but were also exposed to the moral perils of materialism, status seeking, and partnership with political powers that enabled their commerce. The New Testament writers draw on this well-known social figure to illustrate both the positive value of diligent pursuit and the grave danger of misplaced treasure. Merchants in Jesus’ Teaching The only Gospel occurrence is in the parable of the pearl: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.” (Matthew 13:45) Jesus portrays the dealer as discerning, diligent, and ready to liquidate all assets when he locates a pearl of surpassing worth. This picture commends: The occupational imagery underscores that salvation is not an add-on to ordinary pursuits; it demands the full investment of heart, soul, and resources. Prophetic Message in Revelation John employs the same term four times when describing the fall of end-time “Babylon,” a symbol of idolatrous world systems bound to commercial greed. Revelation 18:3 highlights enrichment through immoral alliance: “The merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.” Revelation 18:11, 18:15 show their grief when the market collapses; they are spectators, not saviors, of a doomed civilization. Revelation 18:23 exposes the root problem: “For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.” Key themes emerge: Spiritual Applications 1. Discern Value: Like the Gospel merchant, believers must assess all ambitions by the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Forms and Transliterations εμποροι εμποροί έμποροι έμποροί ἔμποροι ἔμποροί εμπόροις εμπορω εμπόρω ἐμπόρῳ εμπόρων emporo emporō emporoi empóroi empórōi émporoi émporoíLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 13:45 N-DMSGRK: οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ ἐμπόρῳ ζητοῦντι καλοὺς NAS: is like a merchant seeking KJV: is like unto a merchant man, seeking INT: heavens a man a merchant seeking beautiful Revelation 18:3 N-NMP Revelation 18:11 N-NMP Revelation 18:15 N-NMP Revelation 18:23 N-NMP Strong's Greek 1713 |