1713. emporos
Lexical Summary
emporos: Merchant, Trader

Original Word: ἔμπορος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: emporos
Pronunciation: EM-por-os
Phonetic Spelling: (em'-por-os)
KJV: merchant
NASB: merchants, merchant
Word Origin: [from G1722 (ἔν - among) and the base of G4198 (πορεύομαι - go)]

1. a (wholesale) tradesman

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 Origin
from 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: ἔμπορος

ἔμπορος (see ἐν, III. 3), ἐμπόρου, (πόρος);

1. equivalent to ἐπ' ἀλλοτρίας νεώς πλέων μισθοῦ, 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:
• Keen spiritual perception—recognizing genuine value amid many counterfeits.
• Total commitment—willingness to sacrifice everything for the kingdom.
• Urgency—acting decisively when confronted with eternal opportunity.

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:
• Economic prosperity can mask spiritual bankruptcy.
• Commerce often intertwines with idolatry and political oppression.
• Earthly systems that exalt wealth above righteousness will face divine judgment.
• Those who profit without repentance will share the catastrophe of the society they serve.

Spiritual Applications

1. Discern Value: Like the Gospel merchant, believers must assess all ambitions by the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
2. Guard the Heart: Commercial success is not condemned, but devotion to luxury, power, and alliance with ungodly practices is.
3. Anticipate Accountability: Earthly markets are temporary; the Judge of all will weigh motives and methods.
4. Engage Missionally: Resources gained through legitimate trade can advance the gospel when stewarded under the lordship of Christ.
5. Live Counter-culturally: In a world that prizes profit, the church proclaims that true riches are found in the Lamb who was slain.

Forms and Transliterations
εμποροι εμποροί έμποροι έμποροί ἔμποροι ἔμποροί εμπόροις εμπορω εμπόρω ἐμπόρῳ εμπόρων emporo emporō emporoi empóroi empórōi émporoi émporoí
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 13:45 N-DMS
GRK: 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
GRK: καὶ οἱ ἔμποροι τῆς γῆς
NAS: have committed [acts of] immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth
KJV: and the merchants of the earth
INT: and the merchants of the earth

Revelation 18:11 N-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ ἔμποροι τῆς γῆς
NAS: And the merchants of the earth weep
KJV: And the merchants of the earth
INT: And the merchants of the earth

Revelation 18:15 N-NMP
GRK: οἱ ἔμποροι τούτων οἱ
NAS: The merchants of these things,
KJV: The merchants of these things, which
INT: The merchants of these things

Revelation 18:23 N-NMP
GRK: ὅτι οἱ ἔμποροί σου ἦσαν
NAS: in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men
KJV: for thy merchants were the great men
INT: for the merchants of you were

Strong's Greek 1713
5 Occurrences


ἐμπόρῳ — 1 Occ.
ἔμποροι — 4 Occ.

1712
Top of Page
Top of Page