Original Word: רָכַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: rakal
Pronunciation: rah-KAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kal')
KJV: (spice) merchant
NASB: traders, traded, merchants, merchant
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to travel for trading

spice merchant

A primitive root; to travel for trading -- (spice) merchant.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
probably to go about
NASB Translation
merchant (2), merchants (3), traded (4), traders (8).

[רָכַל] verb probably go about, from one to another (for trade or gossip) (? connected with רגל; compare Arabic kick a horse, to make him go [? properly use the foot, compare ?]; Late Hebrew רוֺכֵל, Aramaic רוֺכְלָא, trader, Late Hebrew רְכִילוּת slander [compare calumniator, from go about, Qor 2:19 and elsewhere]); —

Qal Participle רוֺכֵל Songs 3:6; feminine singular construct רֹכֶ֫לֶת Ezekiel 27:3, suffix רֹכַלְתֵךְ Ezekiel 27:20; Ezekiel 27:23; masculine plural רֹכְלִים 1 Kings 10:15 +, etc.; — as substantive = trafficker, trader: usually plural, Nahum 3:16; Ezekiel 17:4 (׳עִיר ר), Ezekiel 27:13,15,17,22 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 27:23a (< strike out Toy Krae), Ezekiel 27:24; Nehemiah 3:31,32; Nehemiah 13:20 ( + מֹרֵי כָלמִֿמְכָּר); ׳מִסְחַר הָר 1 Kings 10:15 (text dubious; compare ׳מ p.695); singular figurative of Tyre, רֹכֶלֶת הָעַמִּים אֶלאִֿיִּים רַכִּים Ezekiel 27:8, of a people Ezekiel 27:20; Ezekiel 27:23b (plural Mez^{Harran 34} Krae, see also כִּלְמֶד); singular of person only אַבְקַת רוֺכֵל Songs 3:6.

Overview

The Hebrew verb רָכַל appears seventeen times and consistently pictures the activity of one who moves about for the sake of trade. In every context the word gathers ideas of commercial exchange, the pursuit of profit, and the movement of goods—and, at times, people—across geographic and national boundaries. Scripture employs the term both descriptively (to record Israel’s engagement with the marketplace) and prophetically (to expose spiritual dangers that often accompany prosperity).

Economic Life under the Monarchy

In the reign of Solomon, Israel reached the height of international commerce. 1 Kings 10:15 notes that Solomon’s annual revenue came “besides what was brought by the merchants and traders and by all the Arabian kings and governors of the land.” The verse presents merchants as a means by which the wealth of nations streamed into Jerusalem, fulfilling the promise that wisdom and righteousness attract material blessing (Proverbs 3:16). Yet the larger narrative reminds readers that unchecked accumulation can foster self-reliance; Solomon’s later apostasy warns that the splendor of trade must remain subordinate to covenant loyalty.

Rebuilding and Reform in the Post-Exilic Period

During Nehemiah’s restoration of Jerusalem the word resurfaces. Merchants repaired portions of the wall near the Fish Gate (Nehemiah 3:31-32), indicating that commerce was vital to the revived city. However, Nehemiah also had to guard that vitality with godly discipline. “Once or twice the merchants and sellers of every kind of wares camped outside Jerusalem” on the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:20). By shutting the gates, Nehemiah taught that economic enterprise must not eclipse obedience, anchoring the principle that markets flourish best when they operate within the boundaries of God’s law.

Poetic Imagery in the Song of Songs

Song of Songs 3:6 employs the fragrance of a merchant’s spices to depict the bridegroom’s approach: “Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense from every merchant’s fragrant powders?” The verse uses commercial language to celebrate abundance and delight. In marital symbolism it points to the richness of covenant love, inviting believers to savor the bounty that flows from union with the greater Bridegroom, Christ.

Prophetic Oracles against Nations of Trade

1. Ezekiel’s parable of the two eagles places a royal sprig “in a city of traders” (Ezekiel 17:4), portraying Judah’s political ambitions as merchandise vulnerable to foreign manipulation.
2. Ezekiel 27 offers the most concentrated use of the term. Tyre is addressed as “merchant of the peoples across many coastlands” (27:3). Eleven further references (27:13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24) catalogue her vast network—bronze, ivory, wheat, saddlecloths, spices, gemstones, fine garments. The breadth of trade underscores how far-reaching economic influence can be, while the chapter’s climax—Tyre’s catastrophic fall—warns that no marketplace, however extensive, can withstand divine judgment.
3. Nahum 3:16 contrasts Nineveh’s staggering commercial expansion with the swiftness of its demise: “You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky; the young locust strips the land and flies away.” The imagery compares traders to locusts, depicting profit seekers who descend in masses, consume, and vanish—leaving devastation where wealth once glittered.

Theological Themes

• Divine Sovereignty over Wealth: Every occurrence situates commerce within God’s overarching governance. Whether blessing Solomon, regulating post-exilic Jerusalem, or toppling proud Tyre, the Lord remains Master of the marketplace.
• Moral Limits of Trade: Nehemiah’s Sabbath reforms and prophetic denunciations show that profit may not overrule holiness.
• Transience of Earthly Riches: Tyre’s sinking ship and Nineveh’s vanishing merchants illustrate Jesus’ later warning that “moth and rust destroy” earthly treasure (Matthew 6:19).
• Nations as Trading Partners: Ezekiel’s list highlights God’s global focus. While trade can magnify pride, it also knits peoples together, setting the stage for the gospel’s later spread along commercial routes (Acts 16:14; Revelation 18).

Foreshadowing Christ and the Gospel

The vibrant, fragrant caravan of Song of Songs anticipates the Magi’s gifts (Matthew 2:11) and ultimately the worship of all nations bringing their “gold and frankincense” to Zion (Isaiah 60:6). Conversely, the ruin of Tyre and Nineveh foreshadows Revelation 18, where merchants weep over fallen Babylon. Both trajectories converge in the New Jerusalem, where “the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it” (Revelation 21:24), but “nothing unclean will ever enter” (21:27). Thus commerce is redeemed, disentangled from sin, and made to serve the glory of God.

Practical Ministry Insights

• Stewardship: Believers engaged in business should view profit as stewardship, not sovereignty. Wealth is received to advance God’s kingdom, relieve the poor, and adorn the gospel.
• Sabbath and Rest: Economic success must yield to rhythms of worship and rest, protecting both souls and communities from exploitation.
• Marketplace Evangelism: The Old Testament nexus of trade and travel anticipates Paul’s New Testament practice of evangelizing in commercial centers like Corinth and Ephesus. Modern ministries can fruitfully target today’s hubs of commerce, affirming work while proclaiming Christ.
• Warning against Material Idolatry: Tyre and Nineveh stand as perpetual admonitions that prosperity without humility invites downfall.

The word רָכַל therefore traces a biblical theology of commerce—from Solomon’s courts to Tyre’s harbors—and calls every generation to engage the marketplace with integrity, reverence, and missional vision.

הָרֹכְלִ֑ים הָרֹכְלִ֜ים הרכלים וְהָרֹכְלִ֑ים וְהָרֹכְלִֽים׃ והרכלים והרכלים׃ רֹֽכְלַ֔יִךְ רֹֽכְלָ֑יִךְ רֹֽכַלְתֵּ֔ךְ רֹכְלִ֖ים רֹכְלֵ֖י רֹכְלֵ֤י רֹכְלַ֙יִךְ֙ רֹכְלָ֑יִךְ רֹכֶ֙לֶת֙ רֹכַלְתֵּֽךְ׃ רוֹכֵֽל׃ רוכל׃ רכלי רכליך רכלים רכלת רכלתך רכלתך׃ hā·rō·ḵə·lîm harocheLim hārōḵəlîm rō·ḵal·têḵ rō·ḵə·la·yiḵ rō·ḵə·lā·yiḵ rō·ḵə·lê rō·ḵe·leṯ rō·ḵə·lîm rō·w·ḵêl rochalTech roChel rocheLayich rocheLei roChelet rocheLim rōḵaltêḵ rōḵəlayiḵ rōḵəlāyiḵ rōḵəlê rōḵeleṯ rōḵəlîm rōwḵêl veharocheLim wə·hā·rō·ḵə·lîm wəhārōḵəlîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts